( 88 ) 



From the time, however, that mention Is 

 firft made of this ifland in hiftory to the 

 prefent day, we may confider it as certain 

 that no true eruption, or current of lava, 

 has taken place in it ; as, otherwife, it is 

 probable fome memorial would have been 

 prefer ved of it, as well as of thofe of 

 Stromboli and Vulcano. Arlftctle, indeed, 

 mentions the fires burning in Lipari, but 

 adds they were only vilible by night ■'''; and 

 the writers who followed him fay nothing 

 more. I hence infer that this ifland had 

 attained its full formation and fize, before it 

 was known to men, which was not the cafe 

 with Stromboli and Vulcano. I muft not 

 omit another obfervation. Many of the 

 lavas of Lipari ftill fcarcely exhibit the lead 

 fign of alteration, efpecially the vitreous, 

 the enamels, and the glafTes ; though it is 

 evident, from what has been faid above, that 

 thefe bodies muft have exilled above three 

 thoufand years. We hence perceive what 



* Kai TO EV 7r) Aiaa^a ^s 7iv^ (pavi^ov xai (p?\oyuO£g, cu 

 fitv rfXEfcci;, a'h.>.a vvhlcg fxovov Hana9ai T^zyirai- 



In Mirandis. 



an 



