144 EAETHQUAXES. 



bourhood. The tower of Capua was saved by its numerous 

 wells. Vivenzis asserts that in building the Capitol the 

 Eomans sunk wells to weaken the effects of terrestrial 

 oscillations. Humboldt relates the same of the inhabi- 

 tants of San Domingo. 



Quito is said to receive protection from the numerous 

 canons in the neighbourhood, whilst Lactacunga, fifteen 

 miles distant, has often been destroyed. 



Similarly, it is extremely probable that many portions 

 of Tokio have from time to time been protected more or 

 less from the severe shocks of earthquakes by the numer- 

 ous moats and deep canals which intersect it. 



Although we are not prepared to say how far artificial 

 openings of this description are effectual in warding off 

 the shocks of earthquakes, from theoretical considerations, 

 and from the fact that their use has been discovered by 

 persons who, in all probability, were without the means 

 of making theoretical deductions, the suggestions which 

 they offer are worthy of attention. 



General conclusions. — The following are a few of the 

 more important results which may be drawn from the 

 preceding chapter : — 



1. In choosing a site for a house find out by the 

 experience of others or experimental investigation the 

 localities which are least disturbed. In some cases this 

 will be upon the hills, in others in the valleys and on the 

 plains. 



2. A wide open plain is less likely to be disturbed than 

 a position on a hill. 



3. Avoid loose materials resting on harder strata. 



4. If the shakings are definite in direction, place the 

 blank walls parallel to such directions, and the walls with 

 many openings in them at right angles to such direc- 

 tions. 



