ORTNAU, a county of Germany, in the circle of Swabia, lying along the Rhine, and separating it from Alsace. It is bounded on the south by Breisau, on the north by the margravate of Baden, and on the east by the duchy of Wurtemberg. It contains three imperial towns; namely, Offenburg, Gengenbach, and Zell. It belongs partly to the house of Austria, partly to the bishopric of Spire, and partly to the county of Hanau.

ORTYgia, the birthplace of Diana, was a beautiful grove of trees of various kinds, chiefly cypresses, near Ephesus; on the coast, a little up from the sea. This place was filled with shrines and images. The priests of the goddess were eunuchs, and exceedingly respected by the people. A general assembly was held there yearly, and splendid entertainments were provided, and mystic sacrifices solemnized. The Cenchrus, probably a crooked river, ran through it; and above it was the mountain Solmilius, on which, it was fabled, the Curetes stood, and rattled on their shields, to divert the attention of Juno. The improved face of a country is perishable like human beauty. Not only the birthplace of Diana and its sanctity are forgotten, but the grove and buildings which adorned it appear no more; and perhaps, says Dr Chandler, the land has encroached on the sea, and the valley, in which Arvissia is, was once Ortygia. See Ephesus, and Diana, &c.