Some of the islands in the Mediterranean are of volcanic origin; but this is not said to have been the case with those now under consideration. A large portion of them con sists of lime-stone. There is a quarry of grey marble in Corfu, and a vein of coal has also been found there. Petri. factions seem numerous, and the islands are penetrated by spacious caverns, where the abundance and diversity of stalactites exhibit most fantastic forms, resembling the works of art. There are petroleum wells in Zante, near the shore, about 10 miles from the city', which produce yearly 80 or 100 barrels, of 150 pounds each. The largest is about 50 feet in circuit, but only a few feet in depth; and there are others at a short distance, wherein the pe troleum is continually accumulating. Sulphureous exha lations, and the frequent earthquakes, denote uninterrupted subterraneous fires.
The Ionian islands are in general hilly and unequal. The highest ground of Cephalonia rises 3000 feet above the level of the sea. Aluch of the surface is rocky, some parts stony, and there are fertile grounds interspersed. The extensive plain of Zante, in particular, resembles one continued vineyard, with patches in tillage or pasture, and is the source of great wealth to toe inhabitants. The prin cipal productions of the Ionian islands arc, grain, fruit, cot ton. honey, wax, oil, hareskins, and lambskins ; but, of the first, the quantity is not nearly adequate to the comsump tion of the inhabitants, who draw their supplies from the neighbouring continent, as the inequality of the surface affords little scope for the improvements of agriculture. Nevertheless, every advantage is taken of the smallest portions of soil. Terraces are formed on the declivities, their culture is carefully attended to, and rich harvests are obtained. Vines and olives grow universally in great luxuriance, and are the chief objects of notice ; the first on account of their fruit for home consumpt and export, the second for the oil afforded by them. The grapes are of a diminutive kind, known in Britain, when dried, by the name of currants, of which the average crop is about seven million of pounds in Zante alone. In some years it is nine or ten, and has even amounted to twelve millions. They are gathered somewhat earlier than other grapes, and spread out for eight or ten days previous to being packed ; hut there arc instances of the harvest being totally ruined by rains. Cephalonia produces five or six million pounds of the same fruit; Ithaca only 5 0r0 or G.000; Cephalonia likewise yields 80,000 or 90,000 pounds of honey yearly ; in the island of Cerigo, it was computed there were 1,480 bee hives in the year 1811. About 100.000 pounds of cotton of very fine quality are produced in Cephalonia, 3,000 hareskins, and 5.000 lambskins.
The fish on the coasts of Con fu, Paxo, Santa Ahura, and some of the other islands, and large eels caught in the in land pools, afford a plentiful subsistence to the inhabitants. Seals retreat to the caverns of Zante, where they are hunt ed for the sake of their skins. This island seems to be more infested with noxious animals than the rest. A small kind of musquitoe, whose bite is extremely painful, ap pears in myriads; a species of centipede, described as an inch or an inch and a half in length. is said to inflict a
mortal wound. A singular spider is also much dreaded here. though probably with little reason, which, like some others of the genus, constructs a door with a hinge, and lies in wait behind it for the prey. Its poison is reputed very active, and the only cure is the excision of the wound ed part. Scorpions, lizards, and small snakes, are not un common. Birds of prey, and poultry in general, are scarce, nor are there many of other species, except birds of pass age, and water lo•l among the marshes. Mules are em ployed in agricultural operations, and horses and cattle are brought from the continent. Goats and sheep are numerous in Cerigo ; and the wild animals of the islands are foxes, hares, and rabbits.
In regard to the products of human industry. Salt works are carried on to a great extent in Corfu at three different places, Potamos, Kastrados, and Lefkimo, or Dragon)°, producing what is both of coarse and fine quality. The Venetians had 800 pans at Lcfkimo, from which fine salt was obtained; and it has been suggested lately, that very great profits may be derived from its fabrication. Five or six thousand tons of the same commodity arc made in Santa Maura. Oil of olives is expressed in large quan tities in Corfu, Cephalonia, and a small pot tion in almost all the rest of the islands. It is observed, that the quality of the oil depends greatly on the nature of the soil, and the mode of manufacture. Thus, from the greater care of the inhabitants, that of Paxo is esteemed the best. The oil of Corfu is divided into our classes ; first, eatable oil, which is selected from the second, the ordinary oil of com merce; thirdly, kernel oil, produced by passing kernels a third time through the press, which is, in general, of a chesnut-brown colour, and in a congealed state. It is of inferior quality. and serves for little else than the manu facture of soap. The fourth kind is black and thick, which is not put into casks until it has been mixed with a third of kernel oil. Abundant harvests produce towards a mil lion of jars, or 250,000 casks annually, in Corfu. About 25,000 or 30,000 casks of oil are made in Cep ialonia, com monly green and thick, and not affording above 3,000 or 4 000 from that quantity of good eatable oil. Paxo pro threes only wine and oil ; Sinta Maura, wine, oil, and salt. From 50 000 to 35 000 casks of wine, both white and red, are made in Cephalonia yearly. The red. consisting of 15.000 casks, is dry and spirituous. Of the remaining 20 000. there are 12,000 of agreeable taste, and 8,000 muscadel, one third of u hich is of inferior quality. In the same island, 3.000 or 4,000 casks of brandy are made an nually ; and there are two establishments for the prepara tion of liqueurs from aromatic limbs and flowers. Two kinds of liqueurs are likewise made in Cerigo. As the cotton of Cephalonia is very fine, muslins equal to those of India may be manufactured of it. Coarse cotton cloths are likewise fabricated here, and in the neighbouring islands, among which is nankeen, used by the Venetians for cloth ing their troops. Silk stuffs, and carpets of goats' hair for the Venetian gondolas, arc made in Zante.