in Ancient Geography, or Megara; which last name it took from the Megareans, who led thither a colony; called also Hybla Parva, and Galeoecis. 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. Galeoecis, and Megarensea, the names of the people, who were of a prophetic spirit, being the descendants of Galesus the son of Apollo. Hybleus the epithet.—The Hyblei 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 Paffi, for the same reason, namely, on account of its excellent honey, and extraordinary fertility, till it was overwhelmed by the lava of Ætna; and having then become totally barren, its name was changed to Mal Paffi. 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 Paffi; 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 Paffi. However, the lava, in its course over this beautiful country, has left several little islands or hillocks, just sufficient to flow 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.

HYBLA Major, in Ancient Geography, was situated in the tract lying between Mount Ætna and the river Symethus. In Paulus's time defoliate.

HYBLA Minor, or Herceæ, in Ancient Geography, an inland town of Sicily, situated between the rivers Oanus and Hermius; now Ragusa.