[ 62 + ] 
1 am convinced, that Italy was a chain of volcanos, 
of which we know only fome of the links. I have 
found lavas exactly like that of Vefuvius in the whole 
way from Florence to Naples, and in places, where 
there was not any fufpicion of volcanos. All the 
lakes of Italy, which I have feen hitherto, exhibit 
traces, not to fay evidences, of this. 
I begin to think, that the whole earth is perhaps 
in the fame cafe with its furface, and was thrown 
into the utmoft diforder at fome period of time, of 
which no remembrance has been preferved. Laz- 
zaro Moro, a Venetian, has gone much farther than 
I do : all the mountains, dies, and continents arol'e, 
according to him, from the bottom of the fea, by 
means of fubterraneous fires. I never heard of his 
opinion till after I had formed my own conjecture, 
or rather verified the faCt in part of the A pennine, 
which I have paffed through. I have had time only 
to run over the titles of his chapters. 
CIV. Obfervations upon the Currents of 
the Sea , at the Antilles of America : By 
Dr. PeylTonnel, F. R . S. 
Read May 6, K g ''HE coafts of thefe American i Hands 
1756 1 are fubjeCt to counter-tides, or ex- 
traordinary currents, which render it very dangerous 
to chaloupes and other fmall craft to land ; whilft, at 
the fame time, the boats and fhips in the roads are 
fcarce ever fenfible of them, and feldom incommoded 
by 
