374 STRABO. CASATTB. 261. which overflows the marshy districts in the neighbourhood. Between the Sirenussse and Posidonia 1 is Marcina, 2 a city founded by the Tyrrheni, but inhabited by the Samnites. [To go] from thence into Pompaea, 3 through Nuceria, 4 [you cross] an isthmus of not more than 120 stadia. The Picentes extend as far as the river Silaro, 5 which separates their country on this side from ancient Leucania. 6 The water of this river is reported to possess the singular property of petrifying any plant thrown into it, preserving at the same time both the colour and form. 7 Picentia was formerly the capital of the Picentes ; but they now dwell in villages, having been ejected by the Romans 8 for taking part with Hannibal. Also, instead of doing military service, it has been decreed that they shall be the public daily couriers and letter-carriers ; [a penalty] which for the same cause has been likewise inflicted on the Leucani and Bruttii. To keep them in check, the Romans fortified Salernum, which is a little above the sea. The distance from the Sirenussae to the Silaro is 260 stadia. 1 Pesti. 2 Yietri. 3 Pompeii. 4 Nocera. 5 The ancient Silaris. 6 We are inclined to read Leucania with Du Theil. The Paris manu- script, No. 1393, reads tcaviav. 1 Pliny, in his Natural History, (lib. ii. 106,) has confirmed Strabo's account. It appears from Cluvier that the people who inhabit the banks of the Silaro are not acquainted with any circumstances which might corroborate the statement. (Cluvier, Ital. Ant. lib. iv. c, 14.) 8 About B. c. 201.
