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CHAP. 12. (6.)—CORSICA.

In the Ligurian Sea, but close to the Tuscan, is Corsica, by the Greeks called Cyrnos, extending, from north to south 150 miles, and for the most part 50 miles in breadth, its circumference being 325. It is 62 miles distant from the Vada Volaterrana1. It contains thirty-two states, and two colonies, that of Mariana2, founded by C. Marius, and that of Aleria, founded by the Dictator Sylla. On this side of it is Oglasa3, and, at a distance of less than sixty miles from Corsica, Planaria4, so called from its appearance, being nearly level with the sea, and consequently treacherous to mariners.

We next have Urgo5, a larger island, and Capraria, which the Greeks have called Ægilion6; then Igilium7 and Dianium8, which they have also called Artemisia, both of them opposite the coast of Cosa; also Barpana9, Mænaria, Co- lumbaria, and Venaria. We then come to Ilva10 with its iron mines, an island 100 miles in circumference, 10 miles distant from Populonium, and called Æthalia by the Greeks: from it the island of Planasia11 is distant 28 miles. After these, beyond the mouths of the Tiber, and off the coast of Antium, we come to Astura12, then Palmaria and Sinonia, and, opposite to Formiæ, Pontiæ. In the Gulf of Puteoli are Pandateria13, and Prochyta, so called, not from the nurse of Æneas, but because it has been poured forth14 or detached from Ænaria15, an island which received its name from having been the anchorage of the fleet of Æneas, though called by Homer Inarime16; it is also called Pithecusa, not, as many have fancied, on account of the multitudes of apes found there, but from its extensive manufactories of pottery. Between Pausilipum17 and Neapolis lies the island of Megaris18, and then, at a distance of eight miles from Surrentum, Capreæ19, famous for the castle of the emperor Tiberius: it is eleven miles in circumference.

1 In ancient Etruria, now Torre di Vada. The distance is, in reality, about ninety miles.

2 Mariana was situate in the northern part of the island, and the ruins of Aleria are still to be seen on the banks of the river Tavignano, near the coast.

3 Probably near the present Monte Cristo.

4 He probably means the group of islands called Formicole, which are situate only thirty-three miles from Corsica, and not near sixty.

5 Now La Gorgona.

6 Both of these names meaning "Goat island." It is now called Capraia.

7 The modern Giglio.

8 Now Gianuto, opposite Monte Argentaro on the main-land.

9 These are probably the small islands now called Formiete or Formicole di Grossetto, Troja, Palmajola, and Cervoli.

10 The modern Elba.

11 Now Pianosa.

12 Astura still retains its ancient name, Palmaria is the present Palmarola, Sinonia is now Senone, and Pontiæ is the modern Isola di Ponza.

13 Now Ventotiene.

14 Deriving its name from the Greek word προχυτὸς, meaning "poured forth."

15 The present island of Ischia, off the coasts of Campania. The name of Pithecusæ appears to have been given by the Greeks to the two islands of Ænaria and Prochyta collectively.

16 Ovid, like many other writers, mentions Inarime as though a different island from Pithecusæ. See Met. B. xiv. 1.89. As is here mentioned by Pliny, many persons derived the name "Pithecusæ" from πίθηκος "an ape," and, according to Strabo, "Aremus" was the Etrurian name for an ape. Ovid, in the Metamorphoses, loc. cit., confirms this tradition by relating the change of the natives into apes. The solution of its name given by Pliny appears however extremely probable, that it gained its name from its manufacture of πιθηκὰ, or earthen vessels. Virgil is supposed to have coined the name of "Inarime."

17 Now Posilippo. It is said to have derived its name from the Greek παυσἰλυπον, as tending to drive away care by the beauty of its situation. Virgil was buried in its vicinity.

18 The modern Castel del' Ovo.

19 Now Capri. Here Tiberius established his den of lustfulness and iniquity. He erected twelve villas in the island, the remains of several of which are still to be seen.

The Natural History. Pliny the Elder. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S. H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A. London. Taylor and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 1855.

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