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pitch or rosin。
Upon the Suiones； border the people Sitones； and； agreeing with them
in all other things； differ from them in one； that here the
sovereignty is exercised by a woman。 So notoriously do they degenerate
not only from a state of liberty； but even below a state of bondage。
Here end the territories of the Suevians。
Whether amongst the Sarmatians or the Germans I ought to account the
Peucinians； the Venedians； and the Fennians； is what I cannot
determine； though the Peucinians； whom some call Basstarnians； speak
the same language with the Germans； use the same attire； build like
them； and live like them； in that dirtiness and sloth so common to
all。 Somewhat they are corrupted into the fashion of the Sarmatians by
the inter…marriages of the principal sort with that nation： from
whence the Venedians have derived very many of their customs and a
great resemblance。 For they are continually traversing and infesting
with robberies all the forests and mountains lying between the
Peucinians and Fennians。 Yet they are rather reckoned amongst the
Germans； for that they have fixed houses； and carry shields； and
prefer travelling on foot； and excel in swiftness。 Usages these； all
widely differing from those of the Sarmatians； who live on horseback
and dwell in waggons。 In wonderful savageness live the nation of the
Fennians； and in beastly poverty； destitute of arms； of horses； and of
homes； their food； the common herbs； their apparel； skins； their bed；
the earth； their only hope in their arrows； which for want of iron
they point with bones。 Their common support they have from the chase；
women as well as men； for with these the former wander up and down；
and crave a portion of the prey。 Nor other shelter have they even for
their babes； against the violence of tempests and ravening beasts；
than to cover them with the branches of trees twisted together； this a
reception for the old men； and hither resort the young。 Such a
condition they judge more happy than the painful occupation of
cultivating the ground； than the labour of rearing houses； than the
agitations of hope and fear attending the defence of their own
property or the seizing that of others。 Secure against the designs of
men； secure against the malignity of the Gods； they have accomplished
a thing of infinite difficulty； that to them nothing remains even to
be wished。
What further accounts we have are fabulous： as that the Hellusians and
Oxiones have the countenances and aspect of men； with the bodies and
limbs of savage beasts。 This； as a thing about which I have no certain
information； I shall leave untouched。
End