about 3000 sheep are kept. The corn is of excellent quality; and the sheep have been long noted for their delicate flavor, and elegant though small appearance. The principal freestone quarries are at Kingston. There is a pier, where upwards of 6000 tons of stone are annually shipped. The freestone rocks are intersected by strata of black and red schistus, and of a species called sugar-candy stone; they are also interspersed with petrified shells. Two light-houses have been erected on the island, one in 1716, and the other in 1789: the latter is a circular conical structure, sixty feet high. The isle of Portland has been the scene of many important transactions in the annals of England: it was fortified before the year 1142, with a castle, now a ruin, but was formerly of great extent.

PORTLAND ISLAND, an island in the South Pacific Ocean, near the east coast of New Zealand. Captain Cook in 1773 left on this island some pigs, fowls, seeds, and roots, for cultivation. Long. 178° 12′ E., lat. 39° 25′ S. This is also the name of a cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean, west of New Hanover, so named by Carteret in 1767. They are about six or seven in number; very low, and extend seven miles, in a chain east and west. They are of dangerous access, being environed with reefs and sandbanks, and covered with trees. The north-east point of the most eastern isle is in long. 147° 18′ 45' E., lat. 2° 36′ S.

PORTLAND VASE, a celebrated vase, long in possession of the Berberini family; but which was purchased for 1000 guineas by the duke of Portland, from whom it has derived its present name. Its height is about ten inches, and its diameter, where broadest, six. There are a variety of figures upon it of most exquisite workmanship, in bass relief of white opaque glass, raised on a ground of deep blue, which appears black except when held against the light. It appears to have been the work of many years, and there are antiquarians who date its production several centuries before the Christian era; since, as has been said, sculpture was declining in excellence in the time of Alexander the Great. Dr. Darwin supposes it to represent a part of the Eleusinian mysteries. In one compartment, three exquisite figures are placed on a ruined column, the capital of which is fallen, and lies at their feet among other disjointed stones: they sit under a tree on loose piles of stone. The middle figure is that of a female in a reclining and dying attitude, with an inverted torch in her left hand, the elbow of which supports her as she sinks, while the right hand is raised and thrown over her drooping head. The figure on her right hand is a man, and that on her left a woman, both supporting themselves on their urns, and apparently thinking intensely. Their backs are to the dying figure, towards whom, however, their faces are turned, although without their making one effort to assist her. On another compartment of the vase is a figure coming through a portal, and going down with extreme timidity into a darker region, where he is received by a beautiful female, who stretches forth her hand to help him: between her knees is a large and playful serpent. She sits with her feet

towards an aged figure, who has one foot sunk into the earth, and the other raised on a column, with his chin resting on his hand. Above the female figure is a cupid preceding the first figure, and beckoning him to advance. This first figure holds a cloak or garment, which he seems anxious to bring with him, but which adheres to the side of the portal through which he has passed. In this compartment there are two trees, one of which bends over the female figure, and the other over the aged one. On the bottom of the vase there is another figure on a larger scale than that we have already mentioned, but not so well finished nor so elevated. This figure points with its finger to its mouth. The dress appears to be cumbersome and curious, and above is the foliage of a tree. On the head of the figure there is a Phrygian cap: it is not easy to say whether this figure be male or female. On the handles of the vase are represented two aged heads with the ears of a quadruped, and from the middle of the forehead rises a kind of tree without leaves. These latter are in all probability mere ornaments, and have no connexion with the rest of the figures, or with the story represented on the vase.

PORTLANDIA, in botany, a genus of the monogynia order, pentandria class of plants; natural order, doubtful: cOR. elevated and funnel-shaped; the antheræ are longitudinal: CAPS. pentagonal, and retuse at top; bilocular, and crowned with a pentaphyllous CAL. There are two species, viz. 1. P. grandiflora; and 2. P. hexandra. The former has been particularly described by Dr. Browne, who has also given a good figure of it. It has frequently flowered in the royal garden at Kew, and in Dr. Pitcairn's at Islington. The external bark is remarkably rough, furrowed, and thick; it has no taste. The inner bark is very thin, and of a dark brown color. Its taste is bitter and astringent, and its virtues are the same as those of the Jesuit's bark. Infused in spirits of wine with a little orange peel, it makes an excellent stomachic tincture.

PORTMANTEAU, n. s. Fr. portmanteau. A chest or bag in which clothes are carried. I desired him to carry one of my portmanteaus; but he laughed, and bid another do it. Spectator.

Your cunningest thieves (and what else are readers who only read to borrow, i. e. to steal), use to cut off the portmanteau from behind, without staying to dive into the pockets of the owner. Swift.

PORTO BELLO, in the province of Panama, on the north coast of the isthmus of Darien, from being one of the most celebrated cities of Spanish America, has, since the discontinuance of the galleons, dwindled to total insignificance. It is placed on the declivity of a mountain surrounding the port, and consists of about 130 houses, chiefly of wood, or the basement of stone, forming one long street. The port, discovered by Columbus in 1502, is entered by a channel with only fifteen feet water, which was formerly defended by three castles, destroyed by the English under Vernon in 1742. North-west of the city is the cove of La Caldera, sheltered from all winds. The climate of Porto Bello is eminently unhealthy, being surrounded by lofty

hills, that cause a total stagnation of air, and at the same time produce deluges of rain, and tremendous thunder and lightning. One of the mountains rising from the port presents a similar phenomenon to that of the Table at the Cape of Good Hope, its top being covered with a white cloud, which, when it descends lower than common, indicates a storm.

The woods which surround the town, and greatly add to its unhealthiness, abound in tigers, which often descend into the streets, and carry off the animals they meet, and even at times human beings. Snakes are also very numerous, and the toads are a perfect plague, the streets after rain being covered with them so thick that it is almost impossible to walk without treading on and being bitten by them.

PORTO DE NAOS, a harbour on the south coast of Lancerota, one of the Canaries, is formed by a ridge of rocks, scarcely rising above the water. These rocks break the force of the waves, so that within the sea is perfectly calm, and vessels not drawing more than eighteen feet of water may enter at high tides. It is the only port in the Canaries fitted for cleaning and repairing large vessels. Westward is a square castle of stone, mounted with cannon, but of no strength. There is no town or village near, but only some magazines where corn is deposited.

PORTO FARINA, called also Garel Mailah, or the Cave of Salt, a sea-port of Tunis, at the mouth of the River Megerdah, which spreads here into a lake, and forms an excellent harbour. It is supposed to be the ancient Ruscicona.

PORTO FERRAJO, a sea-port, and the chief place of the island of Elba, is on the west coast of the island, on a lofty point of land projecting into a commodious bay. It was once called Cosmopoli, from its founder, Cosmo I. duke of Florence. Its present name it received from the quantity of iron found in the neighbourhood. Porto Ferrajo is considered a strong place, being surrounded by nine bastions, and other works, and defended by two small forts called the Sletta and the Falcone. Its trade is not inconsiderable. In June, 1796, it was taken by the British, and retained until the peace of 1802. The residence of Buonaparte from the 4th of May, 1814, to the 26th of February here has given it an interest which it will long retain. Inhabitants 3000. Long. 10° 19′ 35′′ E., lat. 42°

49' 6" N.

PORTO LONGONE, a strongly fortified town on the east coast of the island of Elba. It stands on a large bay, defended by a castle on an almost inaccessible rock. Its inhabitants, about 1500, are chiefly fishermen. Four miles south-east of Porto Ferrajo.

PORTO MAURICIA, a town of the Sardinian states, in the province of Genoa, with 3000 inhabitants. It has a harbour and some trade. Fifty-six miles south-west of Genoa.

PORTO RICO, an island of the West Indies, sixty miles east of Hispaniola, is of an oblong form, its greatest length being forty-one leagues east and west, and breadth fifteen leagues north and south. A chain of mountains runs through its whole length, with some branches diverging to the north and south, and extending to the coasts.

The whole of these mountains are covered with wood, and in their intervals are fertile valleys and plains, watered by more than fifty rivers and rivulets, in whose sands gold dust is found, and four of the former are navigable two leagues from their mouth. The highest summits of the mountains are called the Peaks of Layoonita, which are often covered with snow, and are seen far at sea. The north coast is generally lined by a coral reef under water, at a little distance from the shore. The east coast is indented with many bays, formed by the continual action of the waves. A chain of about fifty small islands, extending twelve leagues in length, lie off the north-east coast, and serve as rendezvous for smugglers, but cannot be approached by large vessels.

The wild animals here are hogs, dogs, rats, all of which were originally brought to the island by European vessels. The productions of the island are altogether very trifling in comparison with its extent and natural fertility, and may be estimated at 4500 quintals of sugar, 2000 quintals of cotton, and 20,000 quintals of coffee; the other vegetable productions are rice, Indian corn, and tobacco. A great part is under pasture, and a vast number of cattle are reared.*

The revenue raised in the island a few years since was £20,000 sterling, while the expenses were £65,000, of which £58,000 for the military establishment consisted of a regiment of regular infantry from Europe, and 2000 island militia. £100,000 was received in dollars annually from Mexico, and the surplus, after paying the deficit of the revenue, was applied to public purposes. The population of the island is estimated at about 136,000 individuals.

This island, discovered by Christopher Coiumbus in 1493, was at the time supposed to contain 600,000 inhabitants, who, understanding that the Spaniards had made themselves masters of Hispaniola, concluded that they were invincible. But some of their princes having doubts on this point the experiment was tried on one of the domestics of Columbus, who was murdered; after which they rose on the invaders, and pat to death 150. The Spaniards are said to have retaliated by extirpating the whole of the native race. At the end of the seventeenth century, Porto Rico was taken by the English under the earl of Cumberland; but suffering much from dysentery they soon abandoned it.

St. Juan de Porto Rico, the capital, is situated on the north coast on the west point of an islet, joined to the main by a bridge. It contains six straight streets from north to south, intersected by six others at right angles. The houses of the first class are of stone, large and open, but wretchedly furnished. The buildings are, a cathedral and other churches, two convents of monks, one of nuns, and a general hospital. The fortifications are numerous and strong.

The harbour or road is three miles long and one and a quarter broad, and capable of containing 300 to 400 vessels; its depth is from two to seven fathoms. The channel is winding and intricate, and is buoyed off; two islets, Cabarita and Cabras, and many rocks level with the water, render it still more dangerous, and make a pilot

necessary. All vessels entering are obliged to pass within gun-shot of the Morro, whence they are hailed.

Other points of the island worth notice are the river Gurabo at the west end, in which the Spaniard Salcedo was drowned by the Indians in 1511, in order to discover whether or not the Spaniards were immortal. The Bay of Guanica, on the south coast, is an excellent port with a

narrow entrance.

Near the village of Caomo, on the considerable river of the same name, and on the south coast, is a warm sulphureous spring whose temperature is 95°. The Rio Lovisa is another large river of the island, having fourteen leagues course, and is navigable for large boats.

The principal capes of the island are, Punta Borriquen, the north-west point, surrounded by reefs; Cape Roxo, the south-west point: Cape St. John, the north-east point; Cape de Malapasqua, or St. Francis, the south-east point. The small islands dependent on Porto Rico are Bieque or Crab Island, five leagues from Cape Pinera, the east point of the island; it is seven leagues long and two leagues wide, and covered with wood. The English attempted to settle here towards the close of the seventeenth century, but were attacked by the Spaniards, who murdered all the men and carried the women and children to Porto Rico. The Danes, also, attempted an establishment in 1717, and the English a second time in the same year, but they were both driven off by the Spaniards. The island has since remained uninhabited, but is frequented both by the English and Danes to cut wood. The Tropic Keys are a cluster of small islands north of Bieque, named from the number of tropic birds that frequent them.

PORTO SANTO, a small island of the Atlantic, in the vicinity of Madeira, to which it forms a species of appendage. It was discovered by the Portuguese nearly about the same time as Madeira, some ships of that nation being driven hither by stress of weather. They have ever since occupied it, being attracted chiefly by an excellent harbour, where ships may lie in perfect security against all except south-west winds. The island does not much exceed fifteen miles in circumference, yet produces grain and provisions, and yields for export honey, wax, and dragon's blood. It is overrun with rabbits. Long. 16° 50′ W., lat. 33° 0′ N.

PORTO SEGURO, a province and town of Brasil, bounded north by Los Ibhios, east by the Atlantic, south by Espiritu Santo, and west by the new Francesco. It was first discovered by the Portuguese in 1500. Porto Seguro, the capital, is situated on the sea coast in the port of this name, formed by a reef or rather ledge of rocks, that run from an extended point of the main, about a mile out, forming a natural mole. These rocks are dry at low water, and terminate abruptly; appearing again at half a mile distance. To the northward the land rises to a steep hill, ascended by a winding path; and on its summit stands the town. The streets are broad and straight, but irregularly disposed; the houses generally of one story, low and ill built, of soft clay plastered About half a dozen are of two stories,

over

the largest of which is a quadrangular townhouse, and prison, another the house of the governor (formerly a college of jesuits). The church is plain, has glass windows, and is by far the best building in the place. A new one has lately been erected. On the banks of the river below the town, stands a village full as large, the whole containing about 400 houses (or rather cabins), and 3000 inhabitants, slaves and Indians. Their employment is solely in a fishery off the islands and rocks of Abrolhos, where they catch large salmon, which they salt for the Bahia market. About fifty decked launches are employed in this fishery; they keep the sea a month or six weeks. The business of careening these launches, and making the necessary nets and lines, forms the work of those who remain in the town. Their lines are some of the best in the world, composed of cotton well twisted, and rubbed several times with a glutinous resin that hardens in the sun, and is proof against salt water. The property of the launches and their cargoes is confined to a few individuals, who are comparatively rich. Among the inhabitants are some noble Portuguese Families. Ninety-two miles south of Jorge, and 286 N. N. E. of Espiritu Santo.

PORTO SEGURO, a river of the above province, rising in the mountain of Frio.

PORTO VECCHIO, a winding gulf on the southeast of Corsica, is one of the best harbours of the Mediterranean. The town and fortress at its head are on a high rock, of difficult access. The works are four batteries, commanded by some hills: large vessels can but barely approach within gun-shot. Being very unhealthy in summer, it is in that season abandoned by the greater part of the inhabitants, who only amount to about 1500. The south point of the gulf is Cape Sigli, or Chiappa; south of which are several islands, usually called the Cape Islands, which are foul all round. Between Porto Vecchio and Cape Bianca, the south point of the island, the coast has many little coves, and some islands, the most conspicuous of which is Toro (the Bull). The town is considered unhealthy.

PORTOGRUARO, a trading town of Austrian Italy, at the confluence of the rivers Lemene and Reghena. The air is extremely unhealthy on account of the neighbouring marshes. It is the see of a bishop. Inhabitants 4000. Twenty miles west by south of Palma Nova.

PORTONOVO, a town on the sea coast of the Carnatic, 117 miles S.S.W. from Madras, and thirty-two miles south by west from Pondicherry.

PORTPATRICK, a town of Wigtonshire, so named from St. Patrick, pleasantly seated on the nearest point of Great Britain to Ireland, opposite Donaghadee; the passage being only twenty miles over. It has a fine exposure to the south, and is surrounded on the other sides by a ridge of small hills in the form of an amphitheatre. It is much frequented during the summer months for bathing. Its harbour was formerly small and incommodious, but is now one of the finest in Britain, and has a reflecting lighthouse. Packet boats sail regularly between this port and Donaghadee, with the mail and passengers; and mail coaches are now established from London and Edinburgh to Portpatrick