THE HUMAN SPECIES. 75 



partly thrown down by the sea in 1784 ; yet now it 

 stands a quarter of a mile from the water's edge. The 

 level varies occasionally six or seven feet ; and small 

 volcanic cones still break forth on its shores. In the 

 lake, or rather bay of Ensili, three new islands have 

 appeared since 1811, already showing several willows 

 upon them ; and the back water of the Gemishawas is 

 become fordable, though, until recently, it was not to be 

 traversed, the river waters having sensibly diminished, 

 The Caspian is the Deryah Kolsum of the Arabs, be- 

 cause it is covered with a mist ever hanging on the 

 water. 



ASIA MINOR. 



ASIA MINOR appears subjected to the action of at least 

 two subterranean volcanic galleries, which, in connec- 

 tion with the Italian system of ignitions, passing be- 

 neath the Egean, are the agents of convulsion in that 

 sea; and in Greece and Thessaly, produce those me- 

 phitic localities, inflammable rivers, and gaseous ex- 

 halations, which were used in mythological doctrines, 

 and in the prophetic impositions of the Delphic oracle. 

 Others, of at least equal antiquity, existed on the 

 Asiatic side ; and although no conspicuous volcanic 

 crater is pointed out in the peninsula, excepting, at 

 the present Dopos Kalesi, and at Koolah in Catace- 

 caumene, where the lava district reveals volcanic 

 agency, apparently not long dormant. There is, also, 



