56 SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



and rushes, together with other plants, which the neighbouring 

 marsh and the borders of the lake produce. These islands differ in 

 their size and shape ; but the edges of all of them are worn away 

 by their frequent collision against the shore and each other. They 

 have all of them the same height and motion, and their respective 

 roots, which are formed like the keel of a boat., may be seen hang- 

 ing down in the water, on which ever side you stand. Sometimes 

 they move in a cluster, and seem to form one entire little continent ; 

 sometimes they are dispersed into different quarters by the winds ; 

 at other times, when it is calm, they float up and down separately. 

 You may frequently see one of the larger islands sailing along with 

 a lesser joined to it, like a ship with its long boat : or, perhaps, 

 seeming to strive which shall out-swim the other : then again they 

 all assemble in one station, and afterwards joining themselves to the 

 shore, sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other, cause 

 the lake to appear considerably less, till it last uniting in the centre, 

 they restore it to its usual size. The sheep which graze upon the 

 borders of this lake, frequently go upon these islands to feed, with- 

 out perceiving that they have left the shore, till they are alarmed by 

 finding themselves surrounded with water ; and in the same manner, 

 when the wind drives -them back again, they return, without being 

 sensible that they are landed. This lake empties itself into a river, 

 which, after running a little way, sinks under ground ; and if any 

 thing is thrown in, brings it up again where the stream emerges. I 

 have given you this account, because I imagined it would not be 

 less new, nor less agreeable to you than it was to me ; as I know 

 you take the same pleasure as myself, in contemplating the works 

 of nature. Farewell. 



Saice and the Lucrine Lake. 



I RETURNED in the morning to the coast of Bauli, where some 

 ruins are shown as the tomb of Agrippina the younger, murdered 

 near this place bv order of her son. It is true that her slaves burnt 



little hills planted with shrubs, &c. tossed up and down by the winds. And he 

 quotes Boethius, the Scots historian, who affirms, that, in a large Loch, called 

 Lomond Lo.h, in Scotland, there is a floating island, upon which cattle graze. 

 See Vartn. Geog. Vol. I. p. 413. 



