. ^ No. IV.— Ow the Solfatara of Pozzuoli. 129 



a fact which, though trifling in itself, when viewed in connec-1 

 tion with Dr Daubeny's ingenious and learned remarks on 

 the Typhaeus of the Greeks, * is an important analogical illus- 

 tration of the earlier periods of volcanic inflammation. 



The comparative activity of this crater as a mere sulphure- 

 ous emissary, at different periods, is of difficult estimation. 

 One fact, however, seems pretty definite, that till within the 

 last few centuries water must have been a more abundant pro- 

 duction of the crater than it is at present. This we might in- 

 fer from the expression of Petronius Arbiter, " Cocyta perfu- 

 sus aqua ;" but we have the most distinct testimony of the 

 fact in later ages. Elisio, the physician of Ferdinand of Arra- 

 gon, a respectable writer of the 15th century, informs us that 

 in his time there was a boiling spring which spouted to the 

 height of even 3 canne, or 19 French feet. This remarkable 

 account Breislak (at least when he wrote his " Essais Minera- 

 logiques surla Solfatare") seems to have distrusted. -f- However, 

 upon consulting the work of the accurate Cluverius, J I find 

 a description extremely similar. Speaking of the Solfatara he 

 says, " Habet passim lacunas calidorum fontium qui instar 

 bullientis aheni perpetuo fervent, aquasque igne ac sulfure 

 mixtas ad vi. saepe cubitorum altitudinem eructant." It is im- 

 possible to construe this into an account of the " fumeroles" 

 as they now exist ; nor can we imagine that a man of such high 

 geographical authority as Cluverius, who flourished in the com- 

 mencement of the 17th century, and who examined most of 

 the countries of Europe, should have taken such a fact from 

 so old an author as Elisio just quoted. Even eighty years 

 since, Nollet observed a basin of water on the east side nearly 

 full, and having a temperature of 84° H. || We must therefore 

 come to the conclusion first stated, that water must formerly 

 have been far more abundant than at present, when it is with 

 great difficulty that a supply can be procured for the purpose 

 of lixiviating the salts with which the soil abounds. 



The general aspect of the Solfatara is undoubtedly striking, 

 though its wonders have perhaps been exaggerated by some 

 writers. The wall of the crater is low on the west side, or 



• Description of Folcanos, p. 44o, &c. 



I Compare *' So/fataret" p. 59, and Campanie, ii. 70. t 



X Italia Antigua, vol. ii. || Mem. de I'Academiey 1750. ! ! 



NEW SERIES. VOL. I. NO. I. JULY 1829- X 



