CHAP. 37. (32.)—THE FORTUNATE ISLANDS.
There are some authors who think that beyond these are the
Fortunate Islands,[1] and some others; the number of which
Sebosus gives, as well as the distances, informing us that Junonia[2] is an island seven hundred and fifty miles distant from
Gades. He states also that Pluvialia[3] and Capraria[4] are the
same distance from Junonia, to the west; and that in Pluvi-
alia the only fresh water to be obtained is rain water. He
then states that at a distance of two hundred and fifty miles
from these, opposite the left of Mauritania, and situate in the
direction of the sun at the eighth hour, are the Fortunate
Islands,[5] one of which, from its undulating surface, has the
name of Invallis,[6] and another that of Planasia,[7] from the peculiarity[8] of its appearance. He states also that the circumference of Invallis is three hundred miles, and that trees grow
to a height of one hundred and fourteen feet.
Relative to the Fortunate Islands, Juba has ascertained the
following facts: that they are situate to the south in nearly a
due westerly direction, and at a distance from the Purple
Islands of six hundred and twenty-five miles, the sailing being
made for two hundred and fifty miles due west, and then three
hundred and seventy-five towards the east.[9] He states that
the first is called Ombrios,[10] and that it presents no traces of
buildings whatever; that among the mountains there is a lake,
and some trees,[11] which bear a strong resemblance to giant
fennel, and from which water is extracted; that drawn from
those that are black is of a bitter taste, but that produced by
the white ones is agreeable and good for drinking. He states
also that a second island has the name of Junonia, but that
it contains nothing beyond a small temple of stone: also that
in its vicinity there is another, but smaller, island[12] of the
same name, and then another called Capraria, which is infested by multitudes of huge lizards. According to the same
author, in sight of these islands is Ninguaria,[13] which has received that name from its perpetual snows; this island abounds
also in fogs. The one next to it is Canaria;[14] it contains vast
multitudes of dogs of very large size, two of which were
brought home to Juba: there are some traces of buildings to be
seen here. While all these islands abound in fruit and birds
of every kind, this one produces in great numbers the date palm
which bears the caryota, also pine nuts. Honey too abounds
here, and in the rivers papyrus, and the fish called silurus,[15]
are found. These islands, however, are greatly annoyed by
the putrefying bodies of monsters, which are constantly thrown
up by the sea.
1. Or Islands of the Blessed—the modern Canaries.
2. Supposed to be the modern island of Fuerteventura.
3. Supposed to be that now called Ferro.
4. Probably the modern Gomera. In B. iv. c. 36, Pliny mentions them
as six in number, there being actually seven.
5. He does not appear on this occasion to reckon those already men-
tioned as belonging to the group of the Fortunatæ Insulæ.
6. The present Isle of Teneriffe.
7. Supposed to be that now called Gran Canaria.
8. The smoothness of its surface.
9. It is impossible to see clearly what he means. Littré says that it
has been explained by some to mean, that from the Purpurariæ, or Madeira
Islands, it is a course of 250 miles to the west to the Fortunate or Canary
Islands; but that to return from the Fortunatæ to the Purpurariæ, required
a more circuitous route in an easterly direction.
10. Or Pluvialia, the Rainy Island, previously mentioned.
11. Salmasius thinks that the sugar-cane is here alluded to. Hardouin says that in Ferro there still grows a tree of this nature, known as the
"holy tree."
12. Or the Lesser Junonia; supposed to be the same as the modern Lanzarote.
13. Or "Snow Island," the same as that previously called Invallis, the
modern Teneriffe, with its snow-capped peak.
14. So called from its canine inhabitants.
15. As to the silurus, see B. ix. c. 17.