HYBLA

HYBLA (anc. geog.) or MEGARA, which last name it took from the Megareans, who led thither a colony; called also Hybla Parva, and Galeotis. In Strabo's time Megara was extinct, but the name Hybla remained on account of its excellent honey named from it. It was situated on the east coast of Sicily between Syracuse and the Leontines. Galeotis, and Megarenites; the names of the people, who were of a prophetic spirit, being the descendants of Galeus the son of Apollo. Hybleus the epithet.—The Hyblai colles, small eminences at the springs of the Alabus near this place, were famous for their variety of flowers, especially thyme; the honey gathered from which was by the ancients reckoned the best in the world, excepting that of Hymettus in Attica. By the moderns it was called Mel Passi, for the same reason, namely, on account of its excellent honey, and extraordinary fertility, till it was overwhelmed by the lava of Aetna; and having then become totally barren, its name was changed to Mel Passi. In a second eruption, by a shower of ashes from the mountain, it soon reassumed its ancient beauty and fertility; and for many years was called Bel Passi.

Hybla
Hyde.
Passi: and last of all, in the year 1669, it was again laid under an ocean of fire, and reduced to the most wretched sterility; since which time it is again known by the appellation of Mal Passi. However, the lava in its course over this beautiful country has left several little islands or hillocks, just sufficient to shew what it formerly was. These make a singular appearance in all the bloom of the most luxuriant vegetation, surrounded and rendered almost inaccessible by large fields of black and rugged lava.