/FT N 
AFF 
ing a much humbler plant than either of the 
others. The leaves also, in an earlier state, 
are of a different form and a darker hue, 
and when bruised emit, in a slight degree, 
a disagreeable venomous smell. The safest 
way to avoid doubt or danger, is to culti- 
vate the curled parsley. Most cattle eat it, 
but it is said to be noxious to geese. 
/ETIOLOGY, that branch of physic 
which assigns the causes of diseases ; in this 
sense we say the aetiology of the small-pox, 
dropsy, &c. 
/Etiology, in rhetoric, is deemed a fi- 
gure of speech, whereby, in relating an 
event, we, at the same time, unfold the 
causes of it. 
/ETNA, a famous volcanic or burning 
mountain in Sicily, situated on the eastern 
coast, not far from Catania. The height of 
this mountain is above 10,000 feet above the 
surface of the sea, and its circumference at 
the base is 180 miles. Over its sides are 77 
cities, towns, and villages, the number of 
the inhabitants of which is about 115,000. 
From Catania to the summit is the distance 
of 30 miles, and the traveller must pass 
through three distinct climates, which may 
be denominated the torrid, the temperate, 
and the frigid. Accordingly, the whole 
mountain is divided into three distinct re- 
gions, called the fertile, the woody, and 
the barren. The first, or lowest region, 
extends through an interval of ascent from 
12 to 18 miles. The city of Catania and 
several villages are situated in this first zone, 
and it abounds in pastures, orchards, and 
various kinds of fruit trees. Its great fer- 
tility is ascribed to the decomposition of 
lava, and of those vegetables, which have 
been introduced by the arts of agriculture, 
and the exertions of human industry. The 
figs and fruit in general, in this region, are 
reckoned the finest in Sicily. The lava of 
this region flows from a number of small 
mountains, which are dispersed over the 
immense declivity of /Etna. The woody 
region, or temperate zone, extends from 8 
to 10 miles in a direct line, towards the top 
of the mountain ; it comprehends a surface 
of about 40 or 45 square leagues. It forms 
a zone of the brightest green all around the 
mountain, which exhibits a pleasing con- 
trast to the white and hoary head of the 
mountain. It is called the woody region, 
because it abounds with oaks, beeches, and 
firs. The soil is similar to that of the lower 
region. The air here is cool and refreshing, 
and every breeze is loaded with a thousand 
perfumes, the whole ground being covered 
over with the richest aromatic plants. Many 
parts of this region are the most heavenly 
spots upon earth ; and if /Etna resemble hell 
within, it may with equal justice be said to 
resemble Paradise without. The upper re- 
gion, called the frigid zone, is marked out 
by a circle of snow and ice. The surface 
of this zone is for the most part flat and 
even, and the approach to it is indicated by 
the decline of vegetation, by uncovered 
rocks of lava and heaps of sand, by near 
views of an expanse of snow and ice, and 
of torrents of smoke issuing from the crater 
of the mountain, and by the difficulty and 
danger of advancing amidst streams of 
melted snow, sheets of ice, and gusts of 
chilling wind. The curious traveller, how- 
ever, thinks himself amply recompensed, 
upon gaining the summit, for the peril which 
lie has encountered. At night the number 
of stars seem increased, and their light ap- 
pears brighter than usual. The lustre of the 
milky-way is like a pure flame, that shoots 
across the heavens, and with the naked eye 
we may observe clusters of stars totally in- 
visible in the lower regions. The scoriae of 
which the mountain is composed have the 
same kind of base, containing shoerls and 
felt-spars. 
AFFIDAVIT signifies an oath in writing, 
sworn before some person who is authorised 
to take the same. 
In an affidavit, the time, place of habi- 
tation, and addition of the person who makes 
it, are to be inserted. 
Affidavits are chiefly used to certify the 
serving of processes or other matters con- 
cerning the proceedings in a court; and 
therefore should set forth the matter of fact 
to be proved, without taking any notice of 
the merits of the cause. They are read in 
court upon motions, but are not admitted 
in evidence at trials. 
By statute, the judges of the courts at 
Westminster may commission persons, in 
the several counties in England, to take af- 
fidavits relating to any thing depending in 
their several courts. 
AFFINITY, among civilians, denotes 
the relation of each of the parties married 
to the kindred of the other. 
Affinity is distinguished into three kinds. 
1. Direct affinity, or that subsisting between 
the husband and his wife’s relations by 
blood ; or, between the wife and her hus- 
band’s relations, by blood. 2. Secondary 
affinity, or that which subsists between the 
husband and his wife’s relations, by mar- 
riage. 3. Collateral affinity, or that which 
