300 EARTHQUAKES. 



as the divine intelligence of man.' — -' Non Deus praevidet 

 tantum, sed et divini in genii viri.' Favaro regards these 

 predictions, however, as the result of observations of nature 

 which show it is possible that indications of coming earth- 

 quakes had been announced by variations in the gas given 

 out from subterranean sources, the change in colour, 

 taste, level, temperature of the water in springs, &c. 



In 1843 a bishop of Ischia forewarned his people of a 

 coming earthquake, and thus was instrumental in the 

 saving of many lives. Naturally, in an age of superstition, 

 the bishop would be regarded as a prophet, but Favaro 

 considers that the prognostication was probably due to a 

 knowledge of premonitory signs as exhibited in changes 

 in the characters of mineral waters. 



The shock of 1851, at Melpi, was in this way predicted 

 by the Capuchin fathers, who observed that a lake near 

 their door became frothy and turbulent. 



Underground noises have led persons to the belief 

 that an earthquake was at hand. It was in this way that 

 Viduari, a prisoner at Lima, predicted the destruction of 

 that city. 



Before the earthquake of 1868, so severely felt at 

 Iquique, the inhabitants were terrified by loud subter- 

 ranean noises. 



That underground noises have preceded earthquakes 

 by considerable intervals appears to be a fact, but, at the 

 same time, it must be remembered that similar noises 

 have often occurred without an earthquake having taken 

 place. 



Farmers predicted the earthquake of St. Eemo, in 

 1831, by underground noises. 



On the day before the earthquake which, in 1873, 

 shook Mount Baldo, the inhabitants of Puos, a village 

 north of Lake Santa Croce, heard underground noises. 



