Note 397 — II. ETHNOLOGY. (continued 3)

Perhaps the use of the word ἤπειρος for mainland may suggest, that it is due to an insular people, who would appropriately describe a continent as the unlimited (land). It is derived from α and πέρας, an end or stop; consider also περάω, to pass over, ἀντιπέραια, Il. ii. 635, and πέρην ἱερῆς Εὐβοίης, ibid. 535.