Mf. 58.] NAPLES. 223 



masses of the lovely blue Anemone stellata, starring the 

 delicate undergrowth. 



Several shorter excursions were made from Rome, 

 including those to Monte Mario, to the Campagna, &c. 

 Prestwich made the acquaintance of Professor Ponzi, 

 and, in the Museum of the University of Rome, he 

 noted remains of three species of elephant all from 

 Ponte Molle. It was a pleasure to him also to have 

 personal intercourse with the courtly Monsignor Castra- 

 cane, who had written on Diatomacece, and who was 

 as enthusiastic as ever on his special subject. 



As may be supposed, the Bay of Naples and its 

 neighbourhood were of surpassing interest. Baise and 

 its classical shores fascinated him, and the time was 

 only too short for exploring the ground a little way 

 inland. The pillars of the Temple of Jupiter Serapis, 

 immortalised by Ly ell's pen, were duly inspected. An 

 elaborate section in a note-book, now dimmed by time, 

 was taken from a point one mile east of Pozzuoli ; and 

 another page gives a section at the end of a street in 

 Pompeii, and one of the theatre at Herculaneum. A 

 visit was also made to the entrancing shore of Amalfi. 

 With his friends M. de Verneuil and Sir Archibald 

 Geikie, he ascended the Anio, and on the 8th of April 

 with the latter he made the ascent of Vesuvius, re- 

 maining the night at the Observatory. Next day 

 they descended from Somma. 



Before leaving Naples, Prestwich had an interview 

 with the aged Mrs Somerville, who was then living 

 with two daughters in a flat on the Chiatamone. 

 She was alone when he called with his wife, the latter 

 having had the privilege of knowing the authoress 

 during Dr Somerville's lifetime in the home at Florence. 

 They were received with the old cordial welcome, it 



