the Enaria or Inarime of the Romans, and the Pithecusa or Pithecuse of the Greeks, an island in the Mediterranean, belonging to the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It lies S.W. of Cape Miseno (Misenum Pr. of the Romans), and is separated from it by a strait 8 miles in breadth, in which lies the little island of Procida, the ancient Prochyta. It forms the northern boundary of the Bay of Naples, and is distant about 16 miles from Capri, the southern boundary. Its circumference is about 15 miles, and its area 24 square miles. The origin of the island is evidently volcanic, and though it has now no regular crater, it has always been subject to strong volcanic action. The Monte di San Nicola, or Mount Epomeo (the ancient Epomeus), rising to a height of 2513 feet, shows near its top the traces of two large craters, while its sides are covered with cones. From this peak the island slopes gently to the sea on all sides except the north, where the descent is bolder and more abrupt. As seen from the sea the island presents a picturesque and pleasing appearance, and on landing, the favourable impression is fully justified by the beauty of the landscape and the fertility of the soil, and the general air of prosperity and comfort that everywhere prevails. The wine, which the island produces in large quantities, is excellent of its kind, and the crops of chestnuts, olives, figs, and corn, are large and good. Game, especially partridges, is also very abundant. Sulphur and other minerals are abundant; and clay of excellent quality is found near Camasiciola, and furnishes the material for several large potteries. The hot springs that abound in all parts of the island attract great numbers of invalids from all parts of the Italian mainland.

Ischia forms part of the province of Naples, and is divided into two cantons. Its largest towns are Ischia, on the N.E. (described by Swinburne as "a pretty town of white buildings, and the residence of a bishop"), with a population of about 5500 inhabitants; Foria, on the W., with a good harbour, a considerable trade, and a population of about 6000; Camasiciola, with about 4000 inhabitants; and near it, on the sea, Lacco, with a fishing population of somewhat less than 2000. The entire population of the island is estimated at about 25,000.

Ischia was first colonized by Greek settlers from Chalcis and Eretria, who gave it the name of Pithecusa or Pithecuse. The common idea is that they gave it this name from "Pithekos," the Greek for an ape; but as apes are not known to have ever existed in the island, the etymon is more reasonable which derives it from "Pithos," the Greek for an earthen vessel, as it seems that even in that remote period potteries were established by the colonists. Pithecusa soon rose to great wealth and importance, and continued to prosper till civil dissensions broke out among the settlers. Frequent earthquakes and volcanic outbreaks at length drove them altogether from the island. In the fifth century B.C. another colony was settled there by Hiero, the tyrant of Syracuse, which had hardly begun to establish itself when it too was driven from the island by similar causes. It next fell under the sway of Neapolis, and finally of Rome. Under the Romans it does not seem to have acquired any importance, and it is rarely mentioned in Roman history except as a favourite resort of invalids. In ancient as in modern times the hot springs and baths of Ischia were renowned for their curative properties.