and Vegetation of Sicily. 107 
= 29°808 English inches. It should be mentioned that the 
observatory in Palermo is situated 38° 6’ 44” north lat., and 
13° 20’ 15” long. east of Greenwich. (Smyth.) 
Sicily abounds in lofty mountains and extensive plains. On 
the north side rises the chain of the Nebrodes, now called 
Monti di Madonia ; the highest of them reach the altitude of 
610 toises (Ferrara), which equal 3660 Eng. ft., and extend 
nearly parallel along that coast; they are joined on the side 
next Italy by the Neptunian Range, or ancient Pelorias, 
which continue down the eastern coast, towards the lofty rocks 
of ‘Taormina; rather to the north of the middle of this side of 
the island rises Mount Etna, the base of which occupies an 
immense tract of country. ‘The summit of this mountain is in 
37° 43 31’N. lat. and 15° E. long. (Smyth.) 
From this, in a direction farther south towards Syracuse, 
continues the chain of the Hybleean mountains. In the more 
central parts, and on the south, are the Monti Enna (now 
Castro-Giovanni), Artesino, S. Vennera, Lauro, the two Cal- 
vari, M. delle Rose, Rocca di Entella, Rifesio, Calatrasi, Iato, 
Busamara, Macalubba, S. Calogero at Sciacca, &c.; on the 
west coast is Monte S. Giuliano, the former Eryx; the head- 
land at Cape S. Vito is considerable, and sweeps round towards 
Palermo; the mountains likewise behind, and on the sides of 
the plain: of Palermo, are very lofty. The most extensive 
plains are those of Milazzo, Catania, Lentini, Augusta, Cala- 
tagirone and ‘Terra Nuova. ‘There are numerous iaualt rivers 
and torrents, which, in the summer, are quite dry. The river 
Giarretta, the ancient Simeethus, is the largest ; and next to it 
are the Fiumi Salso and Grande, known in former times by 
the names of the Southern and Northern Himere. 
There are many cold and warm mineral springs containing 
salt, magnesia, alum, iron, sulphur, bitumen, &c. Some small 
fr eee lakes occur ; but one near Palagonia, called Lago 
Naftia, produces much petroleum. The nowth side has, from 
its very irregular form, many capes, gulfs, and bays; as the 
Gulfs of Castell’ a mare, of Paleniios of Patti; the Bays of 
Olivieri, Milazzo, &c.: the south and south-west, very few. 
but on the east there is the large Gulf of Caran The 
whole island used to be divided into three parts, named val- 
leys: Val di Noto, Val di Mazzara, and Val Demona; now the 
divisions are seven, viz. Valli di Palermo, Trapani, Girgenti, 
Calta nisetta, Syracusa, Catania, and Messina. 
The aspect of Sicily i is of course much varied ; where there 
are many mountains, there are parts erand and romantic, 
particularly along the coast ; but, in some of the more south- 
ern parts, the country is bare and uninteresting, wild and 
