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This rock prefented a novelty I had riot be- 

 fore obferved in the Eolian illes. This was a 

 number of prifms into which the lava divided 

 before it plunged into the lea. The im- 

 portance of this objedt induced me to bring 

 my boat clofe under the rock, that I might 

 make the neceflary obfervations with more 

 certainty and fecurity. 



About twelve feet above the level of the 

 fea, the rock is fmooth, and prefents an 

 equal furface ; but, lo me what lower, it 

 begins to be furrowed with narrow longi- 

 tudinal excavations, which defeend to the 

 edge of the water, and form prifms with 

 three unequal fides, the fide behind remain- 

 ing attached to the rock, or, to fpeak more 

 properly, forming one continued whole 

 with it. Thefe prifms" continue to preferve 

 their form under the vx^ater, of which I haid 

 Indubitable proof. The fea, though then 

 calm, had a flight roughnefs towards the 

 rock, to allay which I poured into it fome 

 olive oil, which I always carried with me in 

 thefe excurfions to calm the leiTer waves of 



the 



