258 CAPTAIN SMYTH ON THE SITE AND ORIGIN OF GRAHAM ISLAND. 
comminuted ashes, or other fragmentary ejectments, had been noticed in that 
direction ; but I could hear of none. Yet we are told, as a “ fact” of weight, 
that a tradition is current, which says, “ A volcano existed in the same spot 
about the commencement of the last century.” It would be difficult to say 
how this tradition was preserved amongst a people little given to letters ; and 
I never, in my long residence and systematic researches at the above place, 
and in Malta, heard the slightest hint of it. 
I am therefore led to the conclusion, — firstly, that no shoal or danger has 
lately existed in that channel, excepting only an occasional overfall in very 
heavy weather on the 7 fathom knoll where I anchored H. M. ship Adventure, 
and which is sufficiently near for bearings taken at random, and without 
suspicion of the existence of local attraction, to be placed in identity with the 
reports above mentioned. Secondly, that even if what Captain Larmour 
became persuaded he saw, was actually a temporary volcanic effect, it had 
no possible relation to breakers with “four fathoms” upon them. And it 
follows, that the assertion of Graham Island having been formed by the mere 
“lifting up” of such shoal, must be utterly destitute of foundation. 
