( i69 ) 



not whether this took place at one time, or 

 in different periods. The relation, however, 

 juft cited, of the origin of the feven Vefu- 

 vjan mountains clearly proves the poffibility 

 of their being produced at the fame time. It 

 alfo proves, that the whole eight might be 

 formed in no long fpace of time, with refpeG: 

 at lead to their firft rudiments, it having 

 been feen that thev have received fucceffive 

 additions. 



We alfo evidently perceive, that the in- 

 flammable fubftances generative of the Mo- 

 luccas in Afia, of the chain of iflands at San- 

 torine, of the Vefavian mountains above 

 defcribed, and of the Eolian ifles, have 

 formed a dired: fubterranean zone incompa- 

 rably longer than broad. This phenome- 

 non may be explained by recurring to the 

 clefts and fiflures perpendicular to the hori- 

 zon, exifting in many places w^ithin the 

 earth, as well in foft fubftances as in the 

 more durable and folid ; within which clefts 

 fliould fubftances proper for the produdion 



of 



