a cluster of islands belonging to Spain, off the coast of Valencia, about 70 miles from the shore in a north-easterly direction. They are of volcanic origin, and remarkably picturesque in appearance. The largest of the group is Colibri, supposed to be the ancient Ophiusa, so called from the Greek word for a snake, in which reptiles the island was believed at one time to abound. The ancient Ophiusa formed one of the cluster Pityussa; the largest of which, Ebusus, was subsequently included among the Balearic Isles. The Columbretes were notorious in the middle ages, and even later, as affording a secure retreat to the corsairs and pirates of the Barbary States, who swarmed at that time in these seas.