Mi. 58.] ITALIAN CAVES. 221 



was clearly visible at a distance, from the circle made 

 by it in the salt water. The water, which was tasted 

 in passing, was brackish, but the boatmen asserted 

 that a few feet below the surface it could be drawn up 

 perfectly fresh. Shelley's house was pointed out a 

 white house on a hill of olives above the village of San 

 Lorenzo and close to Lerici. Two or three boat-loads of 

 convicts, who had been at work at the arsenal, crossed 

 our course on their way back to their prison. The 

 golden sunset was glorious, and each incident in the 

 day had been like a bit of romance. 



By a hill-path through olive grounds and vineyards, 

 and about a mile from Spezzia, another cave was ex- 

 plored, named La Bocca Lupara. Most picturesque in 

 itself and in situation, a fringe of maiden - hair and 

 other delicate ferns draped the low entrance, and over- 

 hung the little stream which flowed out from it 

 this stream making exit and entrance rather difficult. 

 Several peasants, attracted to the spot by the appear- 

 ance of strangers, were employed to burn straw so as to 

 show its dimensions. These twisted blazing torches had 

 a weird effect, and their stifling smoke necessitated a 

 stay for one and all of brief duration. A block of rock 

 had fallen, obstructing the corner in the cave where 

 fossil bones had been found. 



Very soon Prestwich was across Italy and on the 

 Adriatic shore, examining the structure of the grand 

 headland of Ancona. The writer has a vivid recol- 

 lection of the mode in which his observations were 

 made, and of the unpleasant sensations in a skiff on a 

 chopping sea, and of her outspoken protests lest it 

 should be driven against the wave-washed cliff. 



One of the most enjoyable excursions on this Italian 

 tour was that made from Rome to the Lake of Albano 



