(anc. geog.) an island situated in that part of the Mediterranean anciently called the Sea of Liguria, in length from north to south 150 miles, and where broadest 50. (Pliny). The ancient inhabitants were the Phocenies, (Herodotus); from which they removed to Massilia. To them succeeded the Ligurians and Hispani, as appears from the similarity of rites and customs; afterwards two Roman colonies, one by Marius, the other by Sylla. To the south it is separated from Sardinia by a narrow strait called Tappo, or Fossa, (Pliny); sixty stadia or about seven miles in breadth, (Strabo). It was famous for its barren rocks, its woods, and its honey; which last was reckoned noxious, from the great plenty of yew-trees, according to Diodorus Siculus and Virgil. Corsica was the name of the people, (Livy); Cyrenaicus, the epithet, (Virgil).—The island still retains its ancient name Corsica; situated between 8 and 10 degrees of east longitude, and between 41 and 43 degrees of north latitude. It was formerly subject to Genoa; though the natives for many years disputed their right. The island is now in the hands of the French; and have lately, in consequence of the revolution in France, been admitted to a participation of all the rights and privileges of free citizens.