260 REACTION OF THE INTERIOR OF THE EARTH 



met with least resistance. Three degrees of latitude 

 are included in the space in which the volcanic ac- 

 tivity manifests itself fearfully in Etna, in the ^Eolian 

 Isles, in Vesuvius, and the Phlegraean Fields, from 

 Puteoli (Dicaearchia) to Cumae and to the fire-vomit- 

 ing Epopeus on Ischia, the Tyrrhenian Ape's Island 

 ^Enaria. Such a connection of analogous phenomena 

 could not escape the notice of the Greeks. Strabo 

 says, "The whole sea, beginning from Cumae to Si- 

 cily, is traversed by fire, and has undoubtedly in its 

 depths hollow passages communicating with each other 

 and with the mainland. ( 385 ) Such an inflammable 

 nature, as is described by all, shows itself not only in 

 Etna, but also in the country around Dicsearchus and 

 Neapolis, and around Baiae and Pithecusse." Hence 

 arose the fable that Typhon lies under Sicily, and that, 

 when he turns himself, flames and water burst forth, 

 and sometimes even small islands and boiling water. 

 "Often, between Strongyle and Lipara (in this wide 

 sweep), flames are seen to issue from the surface of the 

 sea, when the fire opens for itself a passage from the 

 cavities in the depths, and violently forces its outward 

 way." In Pindar ( 386 ), the body of Typhon is so vast, 

 that " Sicily and the sea-surrounded heights above 

 Cumae (Phlegra, the 'field of burning') lie on the 

 monster's shaggy breast." 



Thus Typhon (the raging Enceladus) became in the 

 Greek popular phantasy, the mythic designation of the 

 unknown cause of volcanic phaenomena, lying deeply 

 buried in the bosom of the earth. By the situation 

 and space assigned to his bulk, they indicated the 

 boundaries and connected action of the particular vol- 



