JUAN Fernandez, an island in the great South sea, in S. Lat. 33. 40. and W. Long. 78. 30. from London. It was formerly a place of resort for the buccaneers who annoyed the western coast of the Spanish continent. They were led to resort hither from the multitude of goats which it nourished; to deprive their enemies of which advantage, the Spaniards transported a considerable number of dogs, which increasing greatly, have almost extirpated the goats, who now only find security among the steep mountains in the northern parts, which are inaccessible to their pursuers. There are instances of two men living, at different times, alone on this island for many years; the one a Mucquito Indian; the other Alexander Selkirk, a Scotchman, who was, after five years, taken on board an English ship, which touched here in 1710, and brought back to Europe. From the history of this recluse, Daniel Defoe is said to have conceived the idea of writing the Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. This island was very propitious to the remains of Commodore Anson's squadron in 1741, after having been buffeted with tempests, and debilitated by an inveterate scurvy, during a three months passage round Cape Horn: they continued here three months; during which time the dying crews, who on their arrival could scarcely with one united effort heave the anchor, were restored to perfect health. Captain Carteret, in the Swallow, in 1767, having met with many difficulties and impediments in his passage into the South sea, by the straits of Magelhaens, attempted to make this island in order to recruit the health of his men; but he found it fortified by the Spaniards, and therefore chose rather to proceed to the island of Mafuero. But M. de Bougainville that same year is said to have touched here for refreshments, although in the narrative of the voyage the fact is cautiously suppressed. This island is not quite 15 miles long and about six broad; its only safe harbour is on the north side. It is said to have plenty of excellent water, and to abound with a great variety of succulent vegetables highly antiscorbutic; besides which, Commodore Anson sowed a variety of garden-seeds, and planted the stones of plums, apricots, and peaches, which he was many years afterwards informed had thriven greatly; and now doubtless furnish a very valuable addition to the natural productions of this spot. Vast shoals of fish of various various kinds frequent this coast, particularly cod of a prodigious size. There are but few birds here, and those few are of species well known and common.

Juan Blanco, or White Jack, a Spanish name for platina. See Platina, Chemistry Index.

Juba, a king of Numidia and Mauritania. He had succeeded his father Hiempal, and he favoured the cause of Pompey against Julius Caesar. He defeated Curio whom Caesar had sent to Africa, and after the battle of Pharsalia he joined his forces to those of Scipio. He was conquered in a battle at Thapsus, and totally abandoned by his subjects. He killed himself with Petreius, who had shared his good fortune and his adversity, in the year of Rome 797. His kingdom became a Roman province, of which Sallust was the first governor.

Juba II, son of the former, was led among the captives to Rome to adorn the triumph of Caesar. His captivity was the source of the greatest honours, and his application to study procured him more glory than he would have obtained from the inheritance of a kingdom. He gained the hearts of the Romans by the courteousness of his manners, and Augustus rewarded his fidelity by giving him in marriage Cleopatra the daughter of Antony, and conferring upon him the title of king, and making him master of all the territories which his father once possessed, in the year of Rome 723. His popularity was so great, that the Mauritanians rewarded his benevolence by making him one of their gods. The Athenians raised him a statue, and the Ethiopians worshipped him as a deity. Juba wrote an history of Rome in Greek, which is often quoted and commended by the ancients. Of it only few fragments remain. He also wrote on the history of Arabia, and the antiquities of Assyria, chiefly collected from Berossus. Besides these, he composed some treatises upon the drama, Roman antiquities, the nature of animals, painting, grammar, &c. now lost.