CHAPTER XVI. 



VOLCANIC ISLANDS OPINIONS OF THE ANCIENTS "ATLANTIS" 



INSTANCE OF THE FORMATION OF A VOLCANIC ISLAND CON- 

 CLUSION. 



IN the last chapter we described the manner 

 in which a certain class of islands in the 

 South Seas are formed ; in the present 

 we will make a few observations on another class, 

 which have sprung up from the bottom of the sea, 

 as if by magic, under the irresistible influence of 

 fire. 



There are volcanoes in the sea, as well as 011 the 

 land; and these volcanoes have in former times up- 

 heaved huge masses of land so as to form large 

 islands, while in other cases they have caused islands 

 formerly in existence to subside and disappear. 



In the writings of the ancients we find reference 

 made to an island which, if it ever did exist, now 

 exists no longer. It was situated opposite the 

 Straits of Gibraltar, was nearly two hundred miles 

 in length, and was called " Atlantis " hence the 

 name of the Atlantic Ocean. Many believe, and 



