Goodisson, William: A historical and topographical essay upon the islands of Corfu, Leucadia, Cephalonia, Ithaka and Zante: with remarks upon the character manners and customs of the Ionian Greeks : descriptions of the scenery and remains of antiquity discovered therein, and reflections upon the Cyclopian ruins, illustrated by maps and sketches (London: Thomas and George Underwood, 1822)

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tain, which surround it; there is however an opening
to the north-west, by which the inhabitants enjoy
the full benefit of the breeze, which almost constantly
descends upon them from the aperture in the hot
weather. There are about one hundred and twenty
houses. The high situation renders the vegetation
much later here: the corn was quite green upon the
fourth of June, 1819, although mostly cut in other
parts of the island. It is reckoned a cool and healthy
village. The water is excellent, and one of the
natives declared, that a pound of it is lighter by
several ounces than a pound of water in other places!
The wood for firing is scarce and difficult to be got,
they have to descend the mountain to the sea beach,
from whence it has to be carried up upon mules.
The distance from Engluvl to Santa Maura is
about four hours and a half s ride. The road passes
through a plain, the natural history of which is
rather extraordinary. Although at this elevation, the
distance from Engluvl not exceeding one hour and
ahalf’s gentle descent, it is completely surrounded by
the higher ridges of the mountain, which form a
perfect basin, from which there is no exit for the
water. The bottom, like all the low grounds in
the island is perfectly level, from the lightness
of the soil, which is carried down by the moun-
tain floods and deposited evenly over the whole
surface. It extends in length about half an hours’
journey. The peculiarity of its position renders it
subject to an annual inundation, which takes place