Condition of Vesuvius. 287 



fii-e. Thus Torre del Greco, although mostly buried by the fiery 

 torrent of 1794 has again risen from its ruins, and now contains 

 15,000 inhabitants. The foot of the mountain is crowded with 

 towns, and it would be difficult now for a current to reach the sea, 

 its usual course, without destroying some buildings. 



While contemplating Vesuv^ius, it is natural to dwell upon the vol- 

 cano, its nature, depth and extent, and to enquire whether it is not 

 connected with Stromboli and Etna and whether this grand bed of 

 fire does not extend throughout Italy, which every where bears evi- 

 dence of former volcanos and of present subterranean fires. However 

 this may be, it appears that it maybe said with considerable confidence, 

 that at least fifteen or twenty miles on each side will not more than in- 

 clude this burning funiace. Twelve miles from Vesuvius, beyond 

 Naples, are the vapor baths of San Germano. An old stone building 

 covers a spot of earth, whence issues this heated vapor. There is but 

 a slight smell of sulphur, but the heat throws one immediately into a 

 profuse perspiration. The walls inside are covered with an incrust- 

 ation of alum from half to two inches thick. Here then is sufficient 

 evidence of subterranean fires. A short distance from these baths, 

 is the Grotto del Cane, a small partly artificial cave, but twelve or 

 fifi;een feet deep and six high, in the side of a hill of Tufa. It is noted 

 for the carbonic acid it contains. The smoke of a taper settling upon 

 it, ran out of the entrance like a liquid, thus showing that there is an in- 

 cessant fountain of the gas. I stepped in, and besides the increased 

 pressure perceived also an increase of heat. This heat, and the 

 continual reproduction of gas seem sufficient to prove its igneous or- 

 igin. This cave and the bath, are situated on the borders of a small 

 lake, (Lago d'Agnano) which, from its circular form, great depth, 

 (500 feet,) and the volcanic nature of the surrounding country, is 

 supposed to be an ancient crater. A mile from the lake, is the fa- 

 mous Solfatara, a volcano, not long since in action, abounding in sul- 

 phur, alum, and other volcanic productions. Near by, is a rivulet of 

 boiling water. Not far distant is the crater of another extinct volca- 

 no, ( Astroni,) four miles in circumference, and just north of the bay 

 of Baia is another hot spring. Nine miles west of Naples is the 

 island of Procida, with a volcanic soil ; fifteen miles is Ischia, whose 

 extinct volcano, cun'ents of lava, once the destruction of its town, 

 and hot springs are sufficient to prove its volcanic origin. South of 

 these the plain of Sorrento bears evidence of a former volcano. — 

 Thus Vesuvius is nearly surrounded with volcanoes, now apparently 



