Natural History by Pliny Book VI/Chapter 37
Pliny the Elder, The Natural History
John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A., Ed. London, 1855.
Chap. 37. (32.) — The Fortunate Islands
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There are some authors who think that beyond these are the Fortunate Islands1, and some others; the number of which Sebosus gives, as well as the distances, informing us that Junonia2 is an island seven hundred and fifty miles distant from Gades. He states also that Pluvialia3 and Capraria4 are the same distance from Junonia, to the west; and that in Pluvialia the only fresh water to be obtained is rain water.
He then states that at a distance of two hundred and fifty miles from these, opposite the left of Mauritania, and situate in the direction of the sun at the eighth hour, are the Fortunate Islands5, one of which, from its undulating surface, has the name of Invallis6, and another that of Planasia7, from the peculiarity8 of its appearance. He states also that the circumference of Invallis is three hundred miles, and that trees grow to a height of one hundred and fourteen feet.
Relative to the Fortunate Islands, Juba has ascertained the following facts: that they are situate to the south in nearly a due westerly direction, and at a distance from the Purple Islands of six hundred and twenty-five miles, the sailing being made for two hundred and fifty miles due west, and then three hundred and seventy-five towards the east.9 He states that the first is called Ombrios10, and that it presents no traces of buildings whatever; that among the mountains there is a lake, and some trees,11 which bear a strong resemblance to giant fennel, and from which water is extracted; that drawn from those that are black is of a bitter taste, but that produced by the white ones is agreeable and good for drinking.
He states also that a second island has the name of Junonia, but that it contains nothing beyond a small temple of stone: also that in its vicinity there is another, but smaller, island12 of the same name, and then another called Capraria, which is infested by multitudes of huge lizards.
According to the same author, in sight of these islands is Ninguaria13, which has received that name from its perpetual snows; this island abounds also in fogs. The one next to it is Canaria14; it contains vast multitudes of dogs of very large size, two of which were brought home to Juba: there are some traces of buildings to be seen here. While all these islands abound in fruit and birds of every kind, this one produces in great numbers the date palm which bears the caryota, also pine nuts. Honey too abounds here, and in the rivers papyrus, and the fish called silurus15, are found. These islands, however, are greatly annoyed by the putrefying bodies of monsters, which are constantly thrown up by the sea.
Foot Notes
1 Or Islands of the Blessed—the modern Canaries.
2 Supposed to be the modern island of Fuerteventura.
3 Supposed to be that now called Ferro.
4 Probably the modern Gomera. In B. iv. c. 36, Pliny mentions them as six in number, there being actually seven.
5 He does not appear on this occasion to reckon those already mentioned as belonging to the group of the Fortunatæ Insulæ.
6 The present Isle of Teneriffe.
7 Supposed to be that now called Gran Canaria.
8 The smoothness of its surface.
9 It is impossible to see clearly what he means. Littré says that it has been explained by some to mean, that from the Purpurariæ, or Madeira Islands, it is a course of 250 miles to the west to the Fortunate or Canary Islands; but that to return from the Fortunatæ to the Purpurariæ, required a more circuitous route in an easterly direction.
10 Or Pluvialia, the Rainy Island, previously mentioned.
11 Salmasius thinks that the sugar-cane is here alluded to. Hardouin says that in Ferro there still grows a tree of this nature, known as the "holy tree."
12 Or the Lesser Junonia; supposed to be the same as the modern Lanzarote.
13 Or "Snow Island," the same as that previously called Invallis, the modern Teneriffe, with its snow-capped peak.
14 So called from its canine inhabitants.
15 As to the silurus, see B. ix. c. 17.