MELDS, or MITA an island of the larger Cyclades in the Grecian archipelago, or 2Egean sea, about 70 in. n. of Crete, and 65 in. e. of Peloponnesus; pop. 4,00Q. It is 14 in., long, and 8 broad, and has on its n. coast one of the best and safest natural harbors in the Levant. The surface is generally mountainous, and of a volcanic character, and there are hot mineral springs, and deposits of snlphur. The soil is fertile, and produces largely in fruit, wine, and oil, while affording also excellent pasturage for cattle. In the e. part of the island, near the port, is the chief town, called Milo; and near are extensive remains of the ancient capital of the island. Neal. the sea the ground is marshy, and the air is, unwholesome in summer. This island is said to have been colonized first by the Phe nicians, and afterwards by the Lacedcemonians. An attempt made by the Athenians to reduce it during the Peloponnesian war, was unsuccessful, but some years later they be sieged the town, put the adult males to death, carried away the women and children into slavery, and occupied the place by a colony of Athenians. Melos fell successively. under
the dominion of the Romans, the Byzantine emperors, Venice, and the Turks: it is now, a part of Greece. In 1820 admiral Dumont found in Melos the since celebrated statue known as the "Venus of Milo," and which now stands in the Louvre. This statue was. without arms when found, and in 1877 it was reported that the lo'st members had been found near the locality where the stattie was originally discovered. The highest emi nence on the island is Mt. St. Elias, 2,538 ft. high. The Cyclades group of islands are believed to have formed in antediluvian times a part of a continuous chain of mountains connected on the n. with the mountains of Attica, and by the island of Melos with the western mountains of Candia on the south. Between Melos and Argentiera, a rocky island to the n., is a channel half a mile wide, which ha.s an evil notoriety for its pecul iarly dangerous character.
IdELPOIICENE (the Singing One), one of the nine Muses, specially invoked as the muse of tragedy.