158 Baron von Waltershausen’s Work on Mount Etna. 
all who would observe the terrible and beautiful in nature. The 
majesty of its proportions—the individuality, if we may so speak, 
of its form—the frequency and terrible effects of its eruptions, dis- ie 
playing every form of activity, in the flow of lava currents, the 
formation of lateral cones, and the uplifting of the solid basisof 
the mountain—the light which its internal structure throws upon 
some of the most difficult- questions of voleanic geology—the — 
fullness and authenticity of its history, going back to’a more re- 
mote epoch than that of any other volcano, make Etna, the clas- 
sic volcano, and its phenomena, types of all that is curious and ~ 
wonderful in the most sublime agency of nature. 
Etna has never been without its observers from the time of Pin- — 
dar, who described it with such graphic skill. Notwithstanding: 
the details respecting its structure and phenomena, presented in 
the works of the Sicilian savans, Recupero, Ferrara and Gem- 
mellaro, whose lives were passed at the foot of the mountain, new 
and important facts have been made known by foreigners who: 
opportunities for observation have been limited, and particularly 
by Dolomieu, Spallanzani, Hamilton, Scrope, ‘Hoffman, Abich — 
and Lyell. The observations made by Elie de Beaumont in 1834, 
during a visit of only a few days, have thrown a flood of light 
_ upon the structure of this mountain, and seem almost to have re- 
_ solved the great question as to the mode of elevation of the vol- - 
_ eanic piles. But. even this most acute observer acknowledges 
that all the materials for the construction of an edifice whose ~ 
achievement would present. the first interest to science, could not 
be condensed into a complete work, except by one.who should 
make a prolonged sojourn upon the places to be described. In 
deed nothing less than a faithful picture of this portion. of the 
crust of the globe, founded upon all the observations of former 
explorers, prepared with all the appliances of modern science; 
and illustrated by the highest art, could satisfy the curiosity as 
which this remarkable spot is regarded. 
. These considerations will enable us to appreciate the service 
Which has been done to science by the labors of a German sé 
van, Baron von Waltershausen, who has’ finished and is 10W 
presenting to the world a popeleie history of Etna and its con- 
vulsions. 
"A brief’ personal sketch will convey the ones sabe of hie 6 4 
| for the great work. which he Boe endetaken cel eee 
ee ntif , 
