220 Earthquakes in Sicily. 
for the people, warned bya slight shock which was felt some 
hours before, had all fled into the country. Directly in front 
of Vulcano, one of the isles of Holie, Patti, a city built on 
the declivity of a mountain, and at the distance of half a 
mile from the eastern extremity of Cape Calava, had its ca- 
thedral, bishop’s palace, convents, and many private houses, 
injured. With the copious showers of the fifth, fell some 
roofs ; various houses in the country were ruined. Pozzodi- 
gotto, Meri, and Barceliona, were injured a little. At Bar- 
cellona, a wide cleft was made in the belfry of the church, 
and threatened its ruin. The shock at Milazzo, on the sea, 
was violent, as also at St. Lucia, six miles from it, situated 
on an eminence; but without any bad consequences. Some 
damage was done to the hospital, several churches, and pri- 
vate housesat Messina. In the interior of Sicily, the motion 
_ Was communicated as if it were far from the centre of force ; 
in some places towards the south, some buildings which 
were old and out of repair, felt the effects; particularly at 
Caltauturo ; and at Alimena, in the cathedral and convent 
of the reformed. The shock gradually wasted itself as it 
advanced} and at Catania so slight was the impression made 
on the people, that they went to the theatre the same even- 
-ing. It was perceived by a few persons only in Syracuse, 
and in some of the neighbouring towns. In the district of 
Modica, towards Cape Passaro, scarcely one felt it. No bad 
effects were produced by it in the southern parts of the isl- 
and ; in the western it was felt, but without injury. It was 
pretty strong at Alcamo, but slight at Trapani. 
Injuries at Palermo.—The ancient city of Palermo was 
founded upon a rocky tongue of land, between two large and 
deep bays. The extremity of this point constitutes at this 
day the centre of the modern city. Matter, transported 
thither by the water from the interior, and thrown up by the 
sea, together with the labour of men, has gradually filled up 
the lateral spaces, and extended the peninsula with this 
transported and alluvial earth, and formed the present soil. 
It is now composed in part of calcareous rock, and in part of 
mud or alluvial earth; both are traversed by canals and large 
conduits for the circulation of water for common use, and by 
common sewers communicating with the neighbouring shore. 
The adjacent parts present a surface composed of calcareous 
ufa, and an earthy aggregate, tender and friable; but deeper 
down, it is more durable, and partly siliceous. The facility 
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