and Vegetation of Sicily. 107 



=1 29*808 English inches. It should be mentioned that the 

 observatory in Palermo is situated 38® 6' 44^' north lat, and 

 1 S'' 20' J 5" 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° 43'3r'N. lat. and 15° E. long. (Smyth.) 



From this, in a direction further south towards Syracuse, 

 continues the chain of the Hyblsean 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, lato, 

 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 small rivers 

 and torrents, which, in the summer, are quite dry. The river 

 Giarretta, the ancient Simoethus, 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 Himerae. 



There are many cold and warm mineral springs containing 

 salt, magnesia, alum, iron, sulphur, bitumen, &c. Some small 

 fresh-water lakes occur ; but one near Palagonia, called Lago 

 Naftia, produces much petroleum. The north side has, from 

 its very irregular form, many capes, gulfs, and bays ; as the 

 Gulfs of Castel? a mare, of Palermo, 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 Catania. 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 is of course much varied ; where there 

 are many mountains, there are parts grand and romantic, 

 particularly along the coast ; but, in some of the more south- 

 ern parts, the country is bare and uninteresting, wild and 



