ON THE GARDEN OF EDEN. 105 
In Lyell’s Principles of Geology we find the following :— 
“ Vivenzio states, that near Sitizzano a valley was nearly 
filled up to a level with the high grounds on each side, by 
the enormous masses detached from the boundary hills, and 
cast down into the course of two streams. By this barrier a 
lake was formed of great depth, about two miles long and one 
mile broad. The same author mentions that, upon the 
whole, there were fifty lakes occasioned during the con- 
valsions, and he assigns localities to all of these. The 
(;overnment surveyors enumerated 215 lakes, but they 
included in this number many small ponds. 
“Such lakes and ponds could only be permanent where 
rivers and brooks were diverted into an entirely new course, 
whether into some adjoining ravine or into a different part of 
the same alluvial plain. In cases where the new barrier 
obstructs the whole of the drainage, the water flowing over 
the dam will gradually deepen a new channel in it, and drain 
the lake. 
“From each side of the deep valley or ravine of Ter- 
ranuova enormous masses of the adjoining flat country were 
detached, and cast down into the course of the river, so as 
to give rise to lakes. Oaks, olive trees, vineyards, and corn, 
were often seen growing at the bottom of the ravine, as little 
injured as their former companions, which still continued to 
flourish in the plain above, at least 500 feet higher, and at the 
distance of about three-quarters of a mile. In one part of 
this ravine was a mass, 200 feet high and about 400 feet 
circumference at its base, which had been detached by some 
former earthquake. It is well attested that this mass travelled 
down the ravine nearly four miles, having been put in motion 
by the earthquake of February 5. Hamilton, after examining 
the spot, declared that this phenomenon might be accounted 
for by the declivity of the valley, the great abundance of rain 
which fell, and the great weight of the alluvial matter which 
pressed behind it. Dolomien, also alludes to the fresh impulse 
derived from other masses falling and pressing upon the rear 
of those first set in motion. 
“The first account sent to Naples of the two great slides 
or landslips above alluded to, which caused a great lake near 
Terranuova, was couched in these words :—‘ I'wo mountains 
on the opposite sides of a valley walked from their original 
positions until they met in the middle of the plain, and there 
joining together, they intercepted the course of a river,’ ete. 
The expressions here used, resemble singularly those applied 
to phenomena, probably very analogous, which are said to 
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