Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/77

Rh The Tavignano, also a considerable river, which takes its rise from the lake of Crena, and after traversing a long tract of rude country, empties itself into the sea, just bu the ancient city of Aleria. The Restonica, which, though but a small river, is famous in Corsica, on account of its particular qualities. Its water is clear as chrystal, and most agreeable to drink; so that Seneca certainly never saw the Restonica, otherwise he would never have said, that Corsica had not 'haustus aquae, a draught of water.' The Restonica is said to be of a mineral nature, and very wholesome. It hath a virtue of whitening every thing. The stones in its channel are like as many pieces of chalk. I remember on the road between Rome and Naples, a run from a sulphureous spring, which had something of the same quality, only it did not give so very white a tincture as that of the Restonica, which will make iron look almost like silver, and never rust. The Corsicans frequently dip the barrels and locks of their guns in it.

There are several other rivers, of which I shall not give a particular description; the Prunella, Fiumorbo, Gravonne, Valinco, Talavo, Liamone; fine poetical names. There are also a