Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/66

56 From Bastia south to beyond Aleria, is one continued plain, between 50 and 60 miles in length, proper for raising all forts of grain, as well as for pasturage.

I fay nothing of the ruins of Mariana and Aleria, the two Roman colonies which stood on this plain; for as Corsica was much disregarded by the Romans, they did not think it worthy of having any of their taste and magnificence employed in it: so there are no vestiges of ancient grandeur. As however, even the dregs of the Romans could not be without some skill in the arts, several antiques, such as rings, and seals with engravings on precious stones have been found here, and sometimes pretty good ones. The ruins of an old town called Nicea, said to be built by the Etruscans, are still to be seen on this plain, but without any thing remarkable.

Beyond Aleria the country rises into small hills, proper for vines, olives, mulberry trees, and many of them for corn. It is traversed by some ridges of mountains, upon which, not far from Porto Vecchio, are great numbers of very fine oaks, the bell being to be found here, and at Campoloro. A rich waved country with some few interruptions, reaches along the east and south coasts to Bonifaccio, which is a pretty considerable town,