, VVLCAKO. 83 
3n exposure, to which might cause suffocation. Even 
ne stones arc so hot tliat they cannot be touched ; but still 
^ heat varies, and experiences all the vicissitudes of vol- 
l^noes. The ground is not penetrated with hot vapours 
^uing from several apertures, as has been asserted ; Spal- 
^nzani, however, found one from which a thin stream of 
®hioke issued from time to time, with a strong sulphureous 
®*hell indicating tlie remains of the conflagration existing 
*>eiieath. 
It is impossible to fix the exact epoch at which the fires 
t Lipari were extinguished, or rather the period at which 
the 
eruptions ceased, for the existence of the former may 
1 
^ deduced from the hot springs tind stoves. Dolomieu 
ytinks that the last eruptions are as old as the sixth century 
t the Christian era, and conjectures that they may have 
^*5ed since the fires found a new vent in Vnicano, since he 
not entertain any doubt but that the two islands have a 
Ubterraneous communication. Of this the inhabitants of 
^'pari are so well convinced, that they are in the greatest 
'S'tation when Vulcano does not smoke, and when its pas- 
are obstructed. They fear shocks and violent erup- 
suspecting even that the fires may again break out 
J" their own island. It is certainly a feet that the earth- 
Wakes, which are very frequent, generally cease when the 
’ttptions of Vulcano commence. 
VULCANO. 
ttu, which is the last of the I.ipari isles, bears in every 
the stamp of fire. It was the superstitious belief of 
Jv® ancient inhabitants that Vulcan had here established 
forges, there being i:onstant fires during the night, and 
thick smoke throughout the day. It consists of a moun- 
'tt in the form of a truncated cone, which is, however, 
.. .®tely a case opening and exposing to view a second cone 
Q-'^in, more exact than the otlier, and in which the mouth 
o the volcano is placed. The latter is thus enveloped on 
sides by the ancient cone, and is only open on that 
* w-hich is immediately washed by the sea. 
*he base of the interior cone is separated from the steep 
*id 
of the ancient crater by a circular valley, which ter- 
•*^1 
‘tes on one side at tlie junction of the two mountaiiK( 
