The greatest length of the island is from west to east, and the circumference is about SO miles. It is separated from the continent of Asia by • strait called the Little Boghaz, about six miles long, nowhere more than three miles in breadth, and full of small islands. Through the island in a direction from east to west runs a high lime stone mountain called Ampelus by Strabo, which is a continuation of the promontory of Trogilium, and terminates at its western extremity with the height of Kerkis, the Mons Cercetius of the ancients, the loftiest point in the island. The mountain sides are covered with pine woods, viueyards, or olive-grounds. The valleys of the island are fertile, and yield abundance of wheat. Marble, iron, silver, lead, and emery are among the mineral products.
Immediately opposite to Cape Santa Maria, between the rivers Metelenous and Imbrsaius, is the port of Tigani, the ancient harbour of the city of Samos, which has an artificial mole built across it from north to south. Herodotus speaks of an immense mole in this harbour, which he considers one of the three works most worthy of mention in the island. A little inland at the distance of about five miles from Cape Santa Maria is the site of the ancient town of Samos. It was situated partly on fiat ground, and partly on the south side of Mount Ampelus; tho walls, of which there are still remains, are cased with white marble, and have square towers. At about 60 paces interval they inclose a quadrangular space; within them are the ruins of a theatre with the built on the side of a hill. To the west of the city, towards the Imbracius, are the remains of an aqueduct, which does not seem to be the one mentioned by Ilerodotus (iii. 60), which was carried through a mouutain, and was one of the three works which he considered most worthy of admira tion at Samos. Of the great temple of Juno, said by Herodotus to have been the largest he bad seen, and famous for its archaic statue of Juno, which is represented on the coins of the island, hardly any thing remains except a capital and base. (Tournefort ; Leake, 'Asia
Minor'). Opposite the old city, about a mile to the west of it, is the modern town of Cora or Khora (Xcepa), the largest in the island, containing, in Pococke'a time, about 12 small churches and 250 houses. On the south side of the city is a large plain called Megalocampus, which has become a stagnant marsh. To the west of Cora is the river Imbrasius, on which is the small village of 11fily. At the mouth of this river the land juts out to the south, terminating in Cape Colonna, opposite to the small island of Samopoula. To the west of this promontory is the village of Marathrocampos, about 40 miles dbtant from Patmos. Three miles from this village, opposite to the ishux1 of Nicaria, and distant from it about 12 miles, us a hermitage called St. George's, with a grotto near it, on the top of Mount Kerkis, called Pawls. Phaueromena. The summit of this mountain is covered with snow all the year round, and has a lake at the top.
Five miles from Marathrocampos towards the north is the village of Caatany. Proceeding along the coast in a north-east direction we come to Carlovasai, the most considerable town in the island after Cons. The port is a bad one, being much exposed to the north wind. Three miles to the east of this town is Fanti, a village, 10 miles from which, in • deep bay, is Vathi, a town with a good harbour capable of holding • large fleet There is a small harbour 4 miles to the northeast, the mouth of which is well protected by little islands. On the east aide of the island is another port.
The soil of Samos is very fertile, and produces very good wine, though this was not the case formerly, according to the testimony of the ancients. The muscat grape is much cultivated. There is good timber on the hills, which have quarries of whitO marble in abundance. Samos was formerly celebrated for its pottery. Game abounds in the island. The inhabitants, about 30,000 in number, are nearly all Greeks. Samoa is the see of an archbishop, who is also bishop of 'eerie.