210 J. P. Lacaite on Earthquakes in Southern Italy. 
Art, XXIII—On Earthquakes in Southern Italy, by JAMES 
Puiuie Lacaira, Esq., LL.D.* 
matchless scenery, its great historical associations; but it has 
also a less enviable renown; it is the classic ground of volcanoes 
and earthquakes. Etna and Vesuvius are the two most active 
volcanoes in Europe, and terrific earthquakes have often desola- 
ted vast districts of the country. 
Though the common origin, to a certain extent, of the agents 
producing the phenomena of volcanoes and earthquakes is now 
scarcely questioned, considerable difference of opinion still 
prevails with regard to the real nature and character of those 
agents. It is for men of science to determine whether those 
agents are to be found in the internal heat of the earth which is 
supposed to arise from a state of fusion; or in the heat produced 
by chemical combinations and changes; or in the currents of 
electricity circulating on the earth’s crust; or in any other causes 
whatsoever. On this verata questio much light will no doubt be 
thrown before long by the observations made on the spot by Mr. 
Mallet, the distinguished author of the “Dynamics of Karth- 
” 
SOUTHERN Italy is celebrated for its delightful climate, its 
h 
kingdom of Naples and caused great loss of life; and especially 
of the last earthquake, which took place on the night of Ko 16th 
of December, 1857. 
1. On the 5th of February, 1783, at 1 P. m., the Piana di Mon- 
teleone, in the province of Calabria Ultra I, was convulsed by 4 
en 
repetition of the shock at midnight ruined the towns of Reggio 
and Messina, and convulsed the whole Valdemone. At the 
entrance of the Faro Straits, the sea, retiring from the Calabrian 
shore and afterwards rushing back with overwhelming violence, 
swept away more than 1500 inhabitants of the town of Scylla, 
who had taken refuge on the beach for safety. After a succes- 
sion of slight shocks, on the 28th of the following March, 
another wolent shock convulsed the whole country from Reggio 
to Cape Colonna, an area of 1200 square miles, and added two 
* From the Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, May, 1858. 
