IV ICA is an island of the Mediterranean, under the do minion of Spain, the largest of those denominated the Pity usa, a name of doubtful etymology, derived by sonic of the ancients from their abounding in pines, and by others from certain earthen vessels fabricated by the inhabitants. Ivica lies 16 leagues from the promontory of Denia, the nearest part of the Spanish coast, and is separated by a' channel above two miles wide from the island of Formentera. It extends seven leagues in length by 31 in breadth, and has two harbours, one known by the same appellation on the south-cast, and St. Anthony on the north-west. The cli mate is mild and salubrious, the cold always very moderate in winter, while the summer heat is tempered by breezes from the sea. No venomous animal is found in the island.
Ivica is in general high and mountainous, and bordered around its whole extent by precipitous rocks. The coast sinks so rapidly, that, within a mile of the shore, the depth of %rater Is twenty or thirty lathoms. On the south west it declines more gradually, but on the north the sea is very deep. Fertile rallies of agreeable appearance are in terspersed among the hills, and the soil requires nothing but the industry of man to render it productive. The hand of nature does every thing here. Grain of different kinds is easily obtained : abundance of olives, grapes, almonds, and water-melons of superior quality, grow either wild, almost entirely without cultivation ; and the excellence of the figs was celebrated so long ago as the time of Pliny. But the richest parts of the ground remain unoccupied : no more grain is raised than what is absolutely requisite for the necessities of the inhabitants, who are swayed to a sin prising extent by prejudices. Agriculture is therelore ve ry far behind. Oil and wine are so negligently made, that not above half the advantage results that should be derived from the fruits employed. The inhabitants have even threatened the safety of persons, more experienced and li beral than themselves, who were desirous of introducing improvement. Game is plentiful, and the ordinary domes ticated animals arc common.
The inhabitants are for the most part of middle size, tawny complexion, and endowed with much personal ac tivity. They are of a mild disposition, though possessing
distinguished courage when it is roused, as has been seen in their conflicts with the Barbary corsairs. But they are exceedingly indolent, and testify an extraordinary aversion to labour. One of the governors of Ivica endeavoured to cultivate mulberries, and to introduce the breeding'of the silk-worm. The experiment succeeded, and some very fine and beautiful silk was obtained. But this new and productive source of benefit was soon lost by the extreme apathy of the inhabitants. They speak a jargon of the Spanish language with a guttural accent ; and the dialect of the women is almost unintelligible.
Nothing remarkable appears in the costume of these people, except that the female islanders are partial to yel low. They likewise entertain a remarkable predilection for their hair, which is preserved to an astonishing length ; and, not content with this profusion, it is far from uncom mon for women in the country to wear a cow's tail in addi tion to their natural tresses.
Though little attention be paid to agriculture, the indus try of the Ivicans is somewhat excited by the fisheries and the collection of salt. They are very expert seamen, and about 60 vessels of different sizes are to be seen in the prin cipal port. Various kinds of fisheries are practised, and diversified according to the seasons, and the presence of the particular species of fish. In winter there is both net fishing on the coast, and the deep-sea fishery with lines. The chief capture of the former is a small fish, not highly esteemed, the aparus smarus of ichthyologists, but in such quantities as to employ one-half the fishermen, and afford a very seasonable supply of food. The deep-sea fishery is conducted at the depth of about 100 fathoms, and obtains greater variety. In summer, nets are stretched to the island of Formentera, for the capture of one species, and in autumn for that of another, called lampuga, which is in vast abundance. Part of the fish thus taken is salted, and some exported, but not enough to balance the import of salted cod, considerable quantities of which are consumed in the island.