1865.] Geography. 467 



the short time which can be allotted to it, nevertheless its researches 

 may afford a nucleus about which many now scattered facts may accu- 

 mulate and add much to our very scanty information. The matter 

 resolves itself into one of money. If the means are forthcoming 

 much may be done, and that they will be so forthcoming the success 

 of the Assyrian Excavation Fund gives good promise. It is to be 

 hoped that if this expedition is sent forth upon a really substantial 

 basis, its work will not be confined within too narrow geographical 

 limits. The country east of the Sea of Tiberias, Jerash, and the 

 neighbouring cities, as well as the more southerly districts of Moab, 

 &c, are practically unknown, whilst Laborde's work on Arabia 

 Petrfea leaves much to be desired in that locality. 



The two great volcanoes of Europe, iEtna and Vesuvius, have 

 been for some time exhibiting signs of uneasiness. Whilst an eruption 

 has actually taken place in the former, the latter has been reported to 

 have its crater filled with seething lava, and to be capped by a 

 suspicious fire and smoke. Earthquakes have been felt in Malta, 

 Corfu, and other adjacent lands. But iEtna has afforded a mag- 

 nificent spectacle. From seven mouths the molten mass of lava has 

 been belched forth over hill and dale, and the whole neighbourhood 

 has been terrified by the incessant noise, the lurid fires, and the 

 destruction of cultivated land. Some of the sounds from the upper 

 craters have been compared to the rapid blows of a smith upon his 

 forge, and if the ancients ever heard such sounds, it is not to be won- 

 dered at that they invented the story of the Cyclops to account 

 for these marvels. The French Government, who are never behind- 

 hand in any scientific investigation, have sent out a Commission, of 

 which M. Fouque is one, to determine the nature of the eruption. 

 According to his report, the deep valleys and the sub-divisions of the 

 streams have delayed the progress of the lava, so that no very exten- 

 sive district has been destroyed. The vapours arising from the 

 eruption have been divided by him into four classes : (1) the dry, con- 

 taining salt, brooding over the incandescent lava ; (2) the acid, with 

 much water, in those places where the heat was above 400° ; (3) the 

 alkaline, where the thermometer stood between 100° and 400°; and (4) 

 the carbonic, amid the lower temperatures. All these have been 

 observed, classified, and tested. It is rather remarkable that but 

 little sulphur has been perceptible ; chlorine being on the other hand 

 very common. Several photographs have been taken by M. Berthier, 

 who accompanied the expedition for that purpose. 



The interior of South America is about to be explored by Mr. 

 Edward Bartlett, who intends to continue the researches in Natural 

 History begun by Mr. Bates. The Brazilian authorities have re- 

 ceived this gentleman with great civility, and have remitted in his 

 case many of the vexations, as at the best of times they always will 

 be, of the Custom-house. He reports that three lines of steamers now 

 run up the river Amazons, dividing amongst themselves a distance of 

 about 2,600 miles, beyond which again for nearly 500 miles navi- 

 gation is open to large vessels. 



We are again looking forward to an Atlantic Telegraph, executed 



2k2 



