88 Bylandfs Theorie des Volcans, 



Alps and the Pyrenees, and the application of the theory to 

 the volcanoes of Europe, commencing with Sicily ; noticing, 

 also, the circumstance of the decreased action of volcanoes in 

 extent of country affected being counterbalanced by the pro- 

 portionate increase of force. Etna and Vesuvius are also to 

 be carefully considered, (p. 46.) The third volume is to con- 

 tain the volcanic history of France, Dalmatia, and Italy. 

 The fourth volume is to treat of the branch of the counter- 

 current which passes under the Gulf of St. Euphemia, in 

 lat. 39° N., embracing Calabria, &c., and concluding with an 

 analysis of all particulars connected with Vesuvius, (p. 47.) 



A classification of the operations of volcanoes is also added, 

 in eight distinct portions: — ]. Real eruptions. 2. Demi- 

 eruptions. 3. Eruptions in the radial lines. 4. Partial erup- 

 tions from interior galleries. 5. Interior eruptions not ejecting 

 lavas. 6. Eruptions of water, cinders, and mud. 7. Lavas 

 of reconstruction. 8. Emanations of inflammable gas. A 

 body of maps will be appended, to illustrate the subject, 

 drawn up after careful surveys and accurate comparison with 

 undoubted authorities. 



Such a work, if properly accomplished, must be an acqui- 

 sition to science ; and, for the facts introduced, must be valu- 

 able. Of the opinions or theories of M. de Bylandt we 

 cannot here speak; ihehrochure before us is but a concise abridg- 

 ment by way of prospectus, and we have given attention to 

 it in this second ^^ Resume Preliminaiy-e,^' in the hope of calling 

 the attention of our readers to an interesting subject, on which 

 we have at present no positive information ; volcanoes being, 

 like comets, subject hitherto to as many speculations as 

 there are investigators. " Quot homines tot sententiae.** 

 Count Bylandt adds another to the list of commentators, and 

 if his doctrines obtain the weight he attaches to them, he 

 may indeed exult in his proof of the epigraph on the present 

 pamphlet : — 



" There are more things in heaven and earth 

 Than are dreamt of in our philosophy." 



The italics are his own. We must wait to see to whom the 

 " our " applies. He seems to himself to have cut the Gor- 

 dian knot, and, in a strain of anticipated triumph, reminds 

 us of the risk we run in adding more, quoting, in conclusion, 

 the words on the tomb of Marshal Saxe — 



" La critique est aisee, et I'art est difficile." 



W. B. C. 



