Misc. Subj. XL. 



REMARKABLE 



Foi iK m, 44. 



VOLGANICK OBJECTS OF THE 

 LOWER ITALY. 



Fig i. The Solfatara. 



The Solfatara is a narrow valley near Naples 

 about 500 paces b^oad and goo long. It. lies 

 between craggy rocks, and probably ows its 

 origin to a funk Volcano. It is, as it may be 

 Paid, the great manufacture of Nature for Ammo- 

 niac and Sulphur which by the heat of the 

 fnbterraneous fires are here continually pro- 

 duced in abundance. The ground if every 

 where warm, in fome places quite hot. Here 

 and there thick fuiphureous vapours break 

 forth from the clefis especially thofe of the 

 opening N. 3. at the end of the valley are for- 

 ced out with great noife; they generally rife 

 to a great height in the air, and fhine at 

 night. Upon the fides of thefe openings faoots 

 the Amoniac and Sulphur or Brimftone which 

 is gathered and manufactured in the building 

 N. I. at the other end of the valley. 



The whole ground of the Solfatara is white 

 and cònfifts of different minerals. It trembles 

 and founds when walked upon ; but lying 

 on the ground one hears a noife like that of 

 boiling water. 



On the north of the valley thefe fubterra- 

 neous waters fall in a low and dark ground 

 into a ftinking brook. On the Eaft a fmall 

 pond is feen, where the water is conftantly 



bubbling like boiling water though the heat is 



far iuferiour to that of boiling water. 



All thefe phenomena are effected by the 

 fubterraneons fires which continually ftruggle 

 under ground, though they never break out into 

 flames. 



Fig. 2. Profpect of Stromboli. 



Stromboli is one of the fmall isles of Li- 

 pari between Naples and Sicily. The whole 

 island confifts alraoft entirely of a high conick 

 mountain which rifes from the fea and whofe 

 furnmit N. 1. is burning like a Volcano and 

 emitting fmoke and flames beyond the reach 

 of hiltory and tradition. 



Though this little island appears wafte 

 and defolate at a diftance , yet approaching its 

 coaft, one foon perceives l'orne fcattered hutts, 

 orchards and vineyards, fo that the inhabi- 

 tants whofe number amounts to about 1500, 

 may be laid to live above and betwixt fire and 

 flames. Familiar with the danger they feem 

 to defy it, for fometimes the flames break out 

 on leverai places between the houles and gar- 

 dens at the foot of the mountain (N. 2.). 



The mufcadine and malmfey - wine which 

 grows upon this hot - bed of Nature , is quite 

 excellent. 



