borders on the true sea. For that which is within the mouth of which we speak, is apparently a harbour with a narrow entrance; but that [which is beyond] a "sea" in reality, and the land that surrounds it would with absolute truth most correctly be called continent." Plato then goes on to say that a great convulsion destroyed this island together with part of Europe, but this passage is valuable as stating expressly that this "true sea" had land surrounding it, or at all events lying around it, which in the state of positive geographical knowledge then possessed as to the outlines of Africa and Europe could not possibly have been said with regard to those parts of the world. Proclus in his commentary on this passage quotes as follows from the History of Ethiopia by Marcellus, "That such and so great an island formerly existed is recorded by some of the historians who have treated of the concerns of the outward sea." (Cory's fragments p. 223.)
We owe to Aristotle the knowledge of many particulars respecting to the Carthaginians, and he may undoubtedly be considered well informed on all matters connected with the affairs of that People. In his treatise De Mirabilibus the following remarkable passage occurs.
Ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ τῇ ἔξω Ἡρακλείων στηλῶν, φασὶν ὑπὸ Καρχηδονίων νῆσον εὑρεθῆναι ἐρήμην, ἔχουσαν υλην τε παντοδαπὴν, καὶ ποταμοὺς πλωτοὺς, καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς καρποῖς θαυμαστὴν, ἀπέχουσαν δὲ πλειόνων ἡμερῶν· ἐν ᾗ ἐπιμισγομένων τῶν Καρχηδονίων πλεονάκις, διὰ τὴν εὐδαιμονίαν ἐνίων γε μὴν καὶ οἰκούντων, τοὺς προεστῶτας τῶν Καρχηδονίων ἀπείπασθαι θανάτῳ ζημιοῦν τοὺς εἰς αὐτὴν πλευσομένους, καὶ τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας πάντας ἀφανίςαι, ἵνα μὴ διαγγέλλωσι, μηδὲ πλῆθος συςτραφὲν ἐπ' αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὴν νῆσον κυρίας τύχῃ, καὶ τὴν τῶν Καρχηδονίων εὐδαιμονίαν ἀφέληται.
"It is reported that in the sea beyond the Pillars of Hercules the Carthaginians discovered a desert Island distant many days sail, containing all sorts of wood, navigable rivers and remarkable for diversities of fruits. The Carthaginians the more often resorted thither on account of its resources, going and settling there; whereupon the Carthaginian senate prohibited such voyages under penalty of death, and drove away those who dwelt there, lest information being obtained, others should combine against them for the possession of the Island, and the prosperity of the Carthaginians be taken away."
Plutarch in his Life of Sertorius says that Sertorius about the year 88 B.C. met with some sailors who had just returned from the Atlantic Islands distant 10,000 stadia from Africa. These men are stated to have given such a favorable description of the Islands that Sertorius thought of retiring thither.
