G.D. Gussone, who in 1828 visited Linosa, handed down us this description of it, with some historical notation: " In 1828 arriving from Sicily to these islands, first I discovered Linosa, whether because it is closer to Sicily, or because of the other two more mountainous, while its perimeter does not exceed the seven Italian miles. It was known by the ancients under the name 'Aethusa' and 'Algusa'. Its origin is volcanic, and as Smith rightly pointed out, the four main craters constitute the bulk of it. We found no memory among the ancients about its eruptions, and there is currently no trace of heat, nor smoke-holes.
The highest area is close to the side of Nort East; and it appears in the form of a mountain, and elevated about 1100 feet over the sea. The crater has a 1 / 2 miles in circumference, and a depth of about 200 steps and it is open to the north. To the east it is surrounded by extensive plains, the largest of the Island, and the remaining part of it is covered with reddish or yellowish ash, pumice and lapilli, while the other two North West are covered with jet-black sand and huge blocks of lava erupted or isolated from the large crater " (See G. D. Gussone, “Notizie sulle isole di Linosa. Lampione e Lampedusa”, in “Atti della Reale Accademia delle Scienze” [“News on the Islands of Linosa, Lampione and Lampedusa”, in “Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Sciences”], Naples, 1839, Vol. IV: 73 ff.).
Linosa was called by ancient writers "Aethusa", "Larenusia", "Lenusa", "Laleimsa", "Nemousa" and "Limosa. “Aethusa” is the oldest name given to it by Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) and Ptolemy (100-175 AD). Its name derives from the Greek "aitho" (burn), from which "Aithousa" (burning), a name that seems to be tailor-made for this island, which, as we have seen, is of volcanic origin. Linosa was also called “Aegusa.” However, the name "Aegusa" is proper for one of the Aegadian Islands
