NELSON'S ISLAND. I 
remains might also be observed under water; chap. 
a convincing proof of the changes to which the 
coast has been Kable, from the encroachment 
of the sea. A very singular subterraneous 
passage, now open at its northern extremity, 
leads to some apartments in the opposite 
direction, which have an aperture above them, 
on a level with the surface of the higher part of 
the island : no conjecture can be formed whither 
this passage extended elsewhere, as it has been 
opened by the sea towards the bay. Pliny 
mentions this island ; but the history of these 
ruins seems to be lost in hopeless obscurity : 
some have suspected that they might have 
belonged to the antient city of Canopus, now 
lying buried beneath the waves, — a memorable 
instance of the fate attending cities distin- 
guished only by their vices : but all this is 
mere conjecture, and some reasons will be 
given in the sequel to shew that Canopus may 
have had a different situation ^ We found here 
a few other curious plants, whose names will 
appear in the Appendix to the Third Section ; and 
we observed in great abundance, among the 
sand, those small and beautiful shells worn by 
Maltese sailors, in their ears. 
(3) See Chap. VIII. Vol. V. 
VOL. IV. B 
