Goodisson, William: A historical and topographical essay upon the islands of Corfu, Leucadia, Cephalonia, Ithaka and Zante: with remarks upon the character manners and customs of the Ionian Greeks : descriptions of the scenery and remains of antiquity discovered therein, and reflections upon the Cyclopian ruins, illustrated by maps and sketches (London: Thomas and George Underwood, 1822)

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CHAPTER VI.
Population of the island—Chief town, Amaxichi, or
Santa Maura—Excursion to Sappho’s Leap—Vil-
lages Frini, Zuculades, Calamici, Xathia, Di-
amigliano, Comiglid, Athani—The cape and white
cliffs—Convent of St. Nicolo—Ruins of the temple
of Apollo—Sappho’s Leap—Beautiful vale of Vas-
silichi—Ruins, ancient tumulus, supposed to be the
sepulchre of a queen— Villages, St. Pietro, Spartea,
Sicvro, St. Ellia, Marandecori, Condarena, Porrd,
Ft er no, Port Ellomenos and ruins of the ancient
city.—Catechori, Engluvi, singular situation of,—
Extraordinary plain near the convent of St. John,
in the mountains, subject to an annual inundation-
Caria, Sphachiotes.—Second excursion to Meganisi
Fountain of the Pacha, island of Meganisi, geolo-
gical structure, population and productions; proba-
bility that it is the ancient Taphos of Homer.

THE present population of Santa Maura amounts
to about seventeen thousand inhabitants, upwards
of five thousand of which are contained in the city.
The latter, named Amaxichi, is situated upon the
edge of the lake, and is deservedly reckoned one of
the most unhealthy places in the Ionian islands;