Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/83

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
OF CORSICA.
73

deed their swine, which are very numerous, have all a mixture of the wild breed, and being fed on chestnuts, they are agreeable food.

The Corsicans are very fond of the diversion of hunting the wild boar, for which there is here a race of dogs, particulary excellent. They have smooth hair, and are something between a mastiff, and a strong shepherd's dog. They are large, and exceedingly fierce; but when once they have taken an attachment, they are very faithful to their master, watch him night and day, and are most undaunted in his defence.

Procopius [1] tells us, that there were in Corsica, apes wonderfully resembling men; and indeed, this island, and all that quarter of Europe before it was well inhabited, must on account of its vicinity to Africa, have swarmed with apes. Of these, however, there are at present no remains; which is a proof, that different species of animals migrate from one country to another, and when their race wears out in a particular part of the globe, it may be very numerous somewhere else. Certain it is, that in many countries, the race of several animals, well known there in ancient times, is totally extinguished. But I am not inclined to believe that our Creatour allows any of the various

  1. Procop. de Bell. Goth. lib. iii. cap. 24.