236 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



ment to the cornices, with sculpture; everywhere 

 trophies and statues are interspersed amid the ar- 

 morial bearings of this proud family, whose cogni- 

 sance was a boar and an eagle. The only part of 

 this once princely residence which is still occupied 

 is the ground floor, now used as a stable. 



Built upon the site of the ancient Drepanum 

 Trapani has not preserved any remains of Greek, 

 Carthaginian, or even Roman architecture ; the 

 Temple of Venus, which was situated at about three 

 miles from the town, on the summit of Mount Eryx, 

 has been successively replaced by a Saracenic for- 

 tress, and by the convent of San-Juliano ; but if 

 the works of man have disappeared from this corner 

 of the earth, where once the most powerful nations 

 of bygone times were brought in contact with one 

 another, nature has ever remained the same. Facing 

 the harbour, we still behold the same rock described 

 by Virgil, which served as the goal for the boat- 

 race Avhich formed part of the funereal games cele- 

 brated in honour of Anchises. This rock is called 

 la Colomhara, and, as in the time of Venus Erycina, 

 it still serves as a meeting-place for the doves of the 

 region at the periods of their annual migrations. 



of the town and castle of Pouzzoles at the time of the massacre. 

 He owed his safety to the justice and loyalty with which he had 

 always treated the conquered Sicilians. These virtues, as well as 

 courage, were, moreover, hereditary among the Porcelets, for the 

 grandfather of William had saved the life of Richard Coeur de Lion, 

 and had inspired the Saracens with so much confidence, that they 

 refused to treat with the crusadmg princes until they had received 

 his guarantee of good faith, and we find in history frequent other 

 references to the chivalric character of this family. 



