LIPARI ISLANDS.
II. The group of the Trapani Islands, anciently called Egates, and lying opposite the promontories of Dropanum (Trapani) and Lily bccum. Parignana, the ancient sEgusa, about 10 miles from the main land of Sicily, is 19 miles in circumference : it has anchorage o ground for largo vessels, and a strong castle. Favignana has good pasture. and copious springs. A number of sheep are reared on this island, which Is the largest of the group, and the surrounding sea abounds with fifth. The woods contain hares and doer. Nardi:no, originally called Illera, and afterwards Maritime from its standing farthest out at sea, is 11 miles io circuit, and 25 miles from the coast; it is rocky and naked, and the coast is bold and steep : wild thyme grows in abundance, and supplies nourishment for swarms of bees. It has a strong castle, which is used as a prison for state prisoners. Lem:L:0, the ancient llucinus, north of Favignana, stud about 10 miles distant from the point of Trappe'', is 8 miles in circuit, and has some good pastures. The group comprises some smaller rocky islands, dangerous to navigators, among which aro the two Formiche, and Scoglio dl Mezzo, between Lorenzo, Favignana, and the mainland. Tho .Egates are celebrated in history for the great naval victory gained by the Romans (n.e. 241) over the Carthaginian fleet towards the end of the first Punic war. There is a group of small Maeda south-east of Favignana and near Cape Lilybmum, one of which, Sae Pantaleo, is the ancient Motya, once a settlement of the Phoenicians, and afterwards a stronghold of the Carthaginians, which was destroyed by Dionyaius the elder. There are sonic fragments of the walls and gateways of the ancient city. The island is only a mile and a half round; it is barren and inhabited only by a few fishermen. Outride San Pantalco lies a group of low rocky islets called Stagnone. Motya wee in ancient times connected with Sicily by a causeway.
Ill. The island of Ustiect, 40 miles N. by W. from Palermo, is about 11 miles in circumference ; the surface is billy; it contains many olive and other trees, and large cisterns cut in the rock, as well as sepulchres and other traces of ancient colonisation. Ustica was for
centuries deserted, owing to the island being exposed to the depreda tions of the Barbary pirates, until the year 1759, when a fresh colony was sent to it, with a garrison, and several small forts were built : the population is now in a thriving condition. [PaLenuo.] IV. The island of Pantellaria, the ancient Cossyra, is situated between the south-west coast of Sicily and the coast of Tunis, east of Cape Bon, from which it is abont 44 miles distant. It is 60 miles from the nearest point of Sicily south of Mazzara. Pantellaria is about 36 miles in circumference ; it is of volcanic formation, and pro duces the vine and the olive, cotton, pulse, fruits, and pasture, but little corn. The inhabitants, who number about 5000, are remarkably industrious. The island has several creeks with good anchorage ground. An herb called orseglia, which grows on the island, is used for dyeing. There is a warm soapy spring, which is used for bleaching and scouring linen, and other mineral springs. A copious spring iu the middle of the island furnishes the inhabitants with driokable water. There is a town, with several churches, and a castle with a garrison sent from Sicily.
V. South of Pantellaria, towards the coact of Tripoli, are the two uninhabited islands of Linosa and Lampedosa. Linosa, which is the smaller, is destitute of water, but Lampedosa has a good spring and good anchorage-ground, and a soil capable of cultivation ; it was once inhabited. Lampedosa gives the title of prince to a Sicilian family. The crown of Sicily used to receive feudal homage from the grand-master of the order of Malta, that island, as well as Gozo, having formerly been subject to the kings of Sicily.
The best harbours on the coast of Sicily are those of Messina and Syracuse, which are perfectly safe. The ports of Palermo, Agosta, and Timpani are next in importance. But the southern coast is destitute of harbours; that of Girgenti is only fit for small craft, and therefore this coast is dreaded by Mediterranean sailors.