3. Sosicrates, who, according to Apollodorus, had an exact knowledge of this island, determines its length (not?)[759] to exceed 2300 stadia, and its breadth (about 300),[760] so that according to Sosicrates the circuit of the island is not more than 5000 stadia, but Artemidorus makes it 4100. Hieronymus [CAS. 475] says, that its length is 2000 stadia, and its breadth irregular, and that the circuit would exceed the number of stadia assigned by Artemidorus. Throughout one-third of its length, (beginning from the western parts, the island is of a tolerable width).[761] Then there is an isthmus of about 100 stadia, on the northern shore of which is a settlement, called Amphimalla;[762] on the southern shore is Phœnix,[763] belonging to the Lampeis. The greatest breadth is in the middle of the island. Here again the shores approach, and form an isthmus narrower than the former, of about 60 stadia in extent, reckoning from Minoa,[764] in the district of the Lyctii,[765] to Therapytna,[766] and the African sea. The city is on the bay. The shores then terminate in a pointed promontory, the Samonium, looking towards Ægypt and the islands of the Rhodians.[767] 4. The island is mountainous and woody, but has fertile valleys. The mountains towards the west are called Leuca, or the White Mountains,[768] not inferior in height to the Taÿgetum,[769] and extending in length about 300 stadia. They form a ridge, which terminates at the narrow parts (the isthmus). In the middle of the island, in the widest part, is (Ida),[770] the highest of the mountains there. Its compass is about 600 stadia. It is surrounded by the principal cities. There are other mountains equal in height to the White Mountains, some of which terminate on the south, others towards the east. 5. From the Cyrenæan[771] territory to Criu-metopon[772] is a voyage of two days and nights. From Cimarus [to Malea] are 700 stadia.[773] In the midway is Cythera.[774] From the promontory Samonium[775] to Ægypt a ship sails in four days and nights, but, according to other writers, in three. Some say that it is a voyage of 5000 stadia; others, of still less than this. According to Eratosthenes, the distance from Cyrenaïca to Criu-Metopon is 2000 stadia, and thence to Peloponnesus less than [1000].[776] 6. One language is intermixed with another, says the poet; there are in Crete, “Achæi, the brave Eteocretans, Cydones, Dorians divided into three bands,[777] and the divine Pelasgi.”[778]