THE COASTS OF SICILY. 23 



fishermen is alternately raising and lowering the 

 machine, the remaining two or three men are engaged 

 in gently rowing the boat, so as to sweep over a 

 certain space ; after a time the whole is drawn in, 

 and the fragments of coral which have been torn up 

 and retained by the meshes of the net, are carefully 

 removed. 



A rapid survey sufficed to show us that our zoo- 

 logical researches would not be extended by a pro- 

 longed sojourn at Stromboli ; animal life seeming to 

 shun these calcined rocks, which are as sterile under 

 water as they are in the open air ; but before quitting 

 this district, we were anxious to visit the volcano. 

 The receiver of customs, who had provided us with safe 

 guides, agreed to accompany us, and each of us being 

 provided with a stout stick or pole, we soon began the 

 ascent. A very steep path in the midst of the 

 moving sand led us, after three quarters of an hour's 

 walking, beyond the zone of the vineyards. Here 

 our difficulties increased; for the ground, which 

 was more and more inclined, became less firm as we 

 advanced, and was, moreover, covered with large 

 thistles, whose sharp prickles penetrated at every 

 step through our thin clothing. We very soon, 

 however, passed beyond the limit of these prickly 

 plants ; for now every trace of vegetation disappeared, 

 and we saw nothing around us but the old beds of 

 lava, which in one place had been accumulated to- 

 gether like enormous scoriae, whilst in another they 

 were entirely concealed beneath the black and hot 

 ashes which we could feel sliding from under our 

 feet at every step we endeavoured to take in advance. 



c 4 



