BOOK II.] History of Nature. 123 



which are within the Ships, just as those in Houses, and with 

 their rustling give Warning beforehand. Birds, likewise, 

 sit not quietly without Fear. In the Sky, also, there is a 

 Sign, for there goeth before, either in Daytime, or soon after 

 the Sun is gone down in Serenity, a thin Streak or Line of a 

 Cloud stretched out in great Length. Moreover, the Water 

 in Wells 1 is more troubled than ordinary, and not without 

 an offensive Smell. 



CHAPTER LXXXII. 

 Helps against approaching Earthquakes. 



BUT there is a Remedy for the same, such as Caverns in 

 many Places do yield : for they discharge the Wind that was 

 conceived there before : a Thing observed in certain Towns, 

 which because they stand hollow, and have many Sinks dug 

 to convey away their Filth, are less shaken. And in the 

 same Towns, those Parts which be pendant are the safer : as 

 is well seen in Naples, in Italy, where that Quarter thereof 

 which is solid is subject to such Casualties. And in Houses 

 the Arches are most safe, and the Angles of Walls, and 

 those Posts which, in shaking, will jog to and fro every Way. 

 Walls made of Brick or Earth take less Harm when they be 

 shaken in an Earthquake. And a great Difference there is 

 in the Manner of Earthquakes ; for the Motion is after many 

 Sorts. The safest is, when Houses as they rock keep a trem- 

 bling and warbling Noise : also when the Earth seemeth to 

 swell up in rising : and again to settle down with an alterna- 

 tive Motion. It is harmless, also, when Houses run on End 

 together by a contrary Stroke, and jut one against another: 

 for the one Motion doth withstand the other. The bending 

 downward in Manner of waving, and a rolling like to surging 

 Billows, is that which is so dangerous ; or when the whole 



1 A consideration of the fact here expressed might have mitigated the 

 wonder felt by Pliny at the prognostication of approaching earthquakes, 

 referred to in chapter Ixxix. Their prescience only proved a close ob- 

 servance of Nature by these illustrious inquirers, and how far they were 

 in advance of the philosophy of the day. Wern. Club. 



