Volcanoes, 6S5 



esting volcano is frequently mentioned by the classical writers, 

 particularly by Diodorus Siculus, and the learned Strabo; 

 but as the phenomena which attend it have been already men- 

 tioned, no further notice is required. 



The Island of Volcano, like all others of the Lipari group, 

 is entirely volcanic ; and, from the testimony of Strabo, seems 

 to have been the seat of much more violent eruptions than 

 Stromboli. Its crater is situated on the highest elevation in 

 the island, and still emits gaseous exhalations in so great an 

 abundance, that it has been described by travellers as in a 

 state of activity. It exhibits, says Dr. Daubeny, the nearest 

 approximation to a state of activity, during which a descent 

 into the crater would be practicable. " Nor can I imagine a 

 spectacle of more solemn grandeur than that presented in its 

 interior, or conceive a spot better calculated to excite, in a 

 superstitious age, that religious awe which caused the island 

 to be considered sacred to Vulcan, and the various caverns 

 below as the peculiar residences of the gods." (y%. 112.) 



112 



From the Lipari Isles we pass on to Sicily, the seat of the 

 celebrated Mount Etna* Those who have received their ear- 

 liest impressions of this district from the ancients, may per- 

 haps expect a detailed history of this volcano, as some of the 

 most interesting of the classic tales can only be understood by 

 reference to this mountain and the neighbouring Cyclopean 

 Islands ; but our remarks must necessarily be brief. 



Etna is entirely composed of volcanic rocks, and rises in 

 imposing grandeur to the height of 10,000 ft. above the level 

 of the sea. It is about 180 miles in circumference, and is 

 surrounded on every hand by apparently small volcanic cones, 

 though of no inconsiderable size, which tend in a great degree 

 to increase the apparent dimensions of the central mountain. 

 Some of these cones are covered with vegetation, but others 

 are arid and bare. From this variety in the progress of vege- 



