The first appearance of that island thus far reported, as we have seen in the preceding chapter, is on the map of Dalorto[116] (dated 1325; Fig. 4) as a disc of land well at sea, westward from Hibernian Munster; but the Catalan map of 1375[117] (Fig. 5) and at least one other[118] turn the disc into a ring surrounding a body of water which is studded with small islands--apparently nine in the Catalan map photographically reproduced by Nordenskiöld, though Dr. Kretschmer draws seven on the other. These miniature islands have sometimes been thought[119] to represent the seven cities of the old legend; but islets are not cities, and there seems no reason why each city should require an islet. However, the coincidence of number, exact or approximate, is suggestive. ANTILLIA Antillia (variously spelled) was a home for the elusive cities more favored than Brazil by cartography and tradition. In 1474 Toscanelli, a cosmographer of Florence, being consulted by Christopher Columbus as to the prospects of a westward voyage, sent him a copy of a letter which he had written to a friend in the service of the King of Portugal. Its authenticity has been questioned, but it is still believed in by the majority of inquirers and may be accepted provisionally. In it occurs this passage: From the island Antilia, which you call the seven cities, and whereof you have some knowledge, to the most noble island of Cipango [Japan], are ten spaces, which make 2,500 miles.[120] The name Antillia had appeared on the maps much earlier. As Atilae, or Atulae, it is doubtfully found in an inscription on that of the Pizigani (1367;[121] Fig. 2), identifying a “shore,” not drawn, on which a colossal statue of warning had been erected. The location seems to be somewhere in the region where Corvo of the Azores should appear.