NOME VII. VOLCANIC INTRITE. 48? 



three branches : one proceeded towards Bosco, 

 another towards Mauro, and the third to the 

 plain of Mulara. The length of this current of 

 lava was not less than an Italian mile; but as it 

 flowed constantly over old lavas it did but little 

 harm, merely laying waste and occupying a 

 small extent of vineyard. From the spot where 

 it diverged from its first direction it projected a 

 small branch in a continued line : falling to this 

 point over a very rapid slope, the speed with 

 which it flowed must have been considerable; 

 and a portion of its mass preserving its first im- 

 pulse, naturally fell in this small stream, in which 

 were four mouths in the shape of an inverted 

 cone, the base of which is in the surface of the 

 lava. This stream terminates in a small and 

 regular hill, of a conical figure, on the summit 

 of which are two mouths, in form of inverted 

 cones. The dimensions of this second current 

 are nearly half those of the first ; consequently 

 the mass of the whole is adequate to 2,804,440 

 cubic fathoms. The coincidence and perfect re- 

 semblance of these two currents of lava suffi- 

 ciently prove that they had but one common 

 origin, and but one cauldron in which the mat- 

 ter was fused of which they are composed. 

 How great then must be the recipient in which 

 such an enormous mass could be contained! 



