1. THE AETHIOPICK ILANDS.
1. THE AETHIOPICK ILANDS, so called because they lie upon the Coast of Aethiopia Superior, which were onely known unto the Antients, are more in number then in weight: some of them situate within the Streits of the Red Sea or the Gulf of Arabia; others without those Streits in the open Ocean.
1. Of those within the Streits, not reckoning such as lie upon the shores of Arabia Felix, of which we have already spoken; there is 1 Asiarte or Astrata, now called Cainssa. 2 Ara Palladis, so called from some Altar of that Godess, which was there erected. 3 Gypseris, by Plinie called Cyris, but Gypsus in Justinians Code, renowned in former times for its plenty of metals. 4 Macaria, or the fortunate Ilands, so called from the fertility and pleasures of it. 5 Orneon, or the Isle of Birds, from the great plenty of Birds which was found therein. 6 Daphnis, by Ptolomie called Daphnine, opposite to a famous Port-town of the same name in the Continent. 7 Bacchias, so called from Bacchus, unto whom consecrated. 8 Anti-Bacchias, so named because opposite to it. 9 Acanthine, supposed by some to be now called Anghotina. 10 Insula Diodori, conceived by the Learned to be the same which is now called Babel Mandel, and giveth name unto the Streits or entrance of the Bay of Arabia, now called the Streits of Babel Mandel. 11 Isidis Insula, memorable for a Temple dedicated to the Godesse Isis; and for a well frequented Port called Portus Isidis; the same which is now called Pascua, as Bel-forest thinketh. 12 Mundi, an Iland in the Bay of Avalitos, opposite to a noted Em∣porie of the same name of the shores of that Bay. Besides all which, we find in Ptolomie two Ilands by the name of Thrisitides, two more called Chelonitides or Cathratae, two others passing by the name of Gomadeae, together with the Isles of Myron, Pan, and that called Insula Magorum; which make up one and twenty in all; but of no note or observation in the course of business, or the conduct of humane affairs.
Those of most note in the Open Ocean, which still preserveth the name of the Red-Sea, and is sometimes called the Indian, sometimes the Arabian Ocean, and by a particular name Pelagus Hy∣padis, are but four in number; that is to say, 1 Myrica, by the Translator of Ptolomie called Myr∣siaca; 2. 3. two Ilands called by the name of Menan, a degree more Northwards then the other; and 4 Amicusia, as Stephanus; or Amici Iusula, as called by Ptolomie, the most North of all; which I conjecture to be that which is now called by the name of Socotara, the most noted Iland of this Sea. I know that many Learned men will have this Iland to be that which Ptolomie and others of the Anti∣ents call Dioscoridis: but because Dioscoridis, by all those Antients, is made to be an Iland of Arabia Felix, and Socotara by all the Moderns affirmed to be an Isle of Africk; I can by no means yield unto it. Again, it is affirmed by our best modern Geographers, that Socotara lieth over against Cape Guar∣dafu, (the Aromata of Ptolomie, as before is said) from which distant not above 30 leagues: which site and distance sort well with Amicusia, but can by no means be applied unto Dioscoridis; Amicusia being placed but two Degrees on the East of that Promontorie in the Longitude of 85. whereas Dioscoridis is situate from it almost four degrees, in the Longitude of 86, and 40 Minutes; besides as great or greater difference in their several Latitude. So that supposing it for granted, that Socotara is that Iland which was antiently called Amicusia; and having cleered my way so far, I now proceed to the Description and affairs thereof.