There are several Islands over against the bay of _Nicomedia_, formerly called _Sinus Astacenus_, according to _Strabo_, about six or seven leagues from _Constantinople_.[8] _Prote_, so called because they approach first to it, coming from _Constantinople_; to the South of this _Prencipe_ and _Pytis_, which I take to be the same with _Pyrgos_, that lyes inmost toward the bay: _Chalcitis_, in modern Greek, _Chalce_ or _Chalcis_. _Oxia_ and _Platy_ to the North-west. I have expressed the _Turkish_ names of the lesser and uninhabited islands elsewhere, which perchance were phantastically imposed by some _Franks_. The _Seraglio_ is at the extreme point of the North-east Angle of _Constantinople_, where formerly stood old _Byzantium_, within which towards the Haven is a stately _Kiosk_ or summer house, from whence the _Grand Signior_ usually takes Barge, when he passes into _Asia_, or diverts himself upon the _Bosphorus_, at which time the _Bostangi Bashi_, who hath the principal care of the Emperors palace, and hath the command of the _Bosphorus_, sits at the helm and steers. The seven Towers are at the South-east extremity. The only Suburbs are to the North-west, along the Haven-side; for above the hill, where the three walls begin, lies an open champaign Country, except that here and there at considerable distances farm houses are scatter'd. The Haven runs in from the West, and so opens East. At the East end of _Galata_ is _Tophana_, where they cast their great Guns. _Pera_ and _Galata_ have about six gates to the Seaward. The whole tract of ground was anciently, before the times of the Emperor _Valentinian_, who enclosed and fortified _Galata_ with walls and towers, styled Περαῖα or Regio _Peræa_ being πέραν τῆς πόλεως, on the other side of the City to the North, which is the reason of its name, seated on higher hills, and whose ascent is more steep and difficult.