Tlie mediterranean naturalist. 
H flOontbi^ journal of IRatural Science, 
Vol. II., No. 15. MALTA, AUGUST 1st. 1892. 
f 4/- Pee annum 
t By post 5/- 
CONTENTS. 
— ♦* — Pag. 
1 Eruption of Etna, July 1892— J. H. Cooke. 219 
2 The Sponges of Tripoli. 221 
3 The Meadow of Nysa In Asia Minor— Capt. R. 
Moore, R.N. 221 
4 An Ancient Birdland. 223 
5 Geology of the Nile Valley. 224 
6 The Relationship of the Structure of Rocks to the 
conditions of their formation— H. J. Johnston 
Lavis, M.D., B.Sc., F.G.S., etc. 224 
7 Tools of the Pyramid-Builders. 226 
8 Maltese Ctecilianellfe— A. Caruana Gatto. 226 
9 The Sahara. 228 
10 A Year’s Insect Hunting at Gibraltar— J. J. Walker, 
R.N., F.E.S. 228 
11 The Serpents and Chelonians of Italy— Prof. Lorenzo 
Camerano. 230 
12 Tlie Depths of the Mediterranean and Black Sea— 
R. Beynon, F.R.G.S. 231 
13 Xotc.s and A ,ws :— Peronospora Commission in Mal- 
ta -Earthquake in Malta— Liquid air — Albino 
animals— Ages of trees — Organs of the throat — 
Speed of fishes— Bed of the Atlantic— The Spar- 
row, a foe— Mortality from snake-bites— A coal- 
burning period— Level of European Seas, etc. etc. 232 
14 Notices to Correspondents, and Exchange column. 234 
NOTICES. 
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Volume II, commences with the present 
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15 
Eruption of Etna. 
July 1892. 
On the 8th of July last at about 10. 30 p.m. the 
first manifestations of violent activity in the cen- 
tral crater of Etna that have been felt since 1886 
were made apparent by the emission of a dense 
volume of steam and of fine dust, and a few hours 
afterwards low rumblings within the mountain 
accompanied by several slight shocks of earth- 
quake apprised the Catanese of an approaching 
eruption. About 1. 20. p. m., activity in the crater 
increased, and a constant shower of fine sand, 
cinders, and bombs was ejected until 2. 33 a.m., 
when a strong earthquake having an undulatory 
movement from north to south was felt, after which 
all action in the main vent subsided. 
About mid-day, volumes of steam aud smoke 
were seen to issue from the south-western slopes 
of the mountain between Mount Foggi and Mount 
Nero, in close proximity to the locality in which 
the eruption of 1886 had its origin,' and shortly 
afterwards a stream of lava, slowly made its way 
round the foot of Monte Albano in the direction of 
Nicolosi, enveloping enroute considerable portions 
of the lava of 1886. 
During the five following days several fresh vents 
were formed, from each of which a lava stream 
burst forth, and by the 16th. inst the cones of 
Monte Grosse, Monte Albano, Monte Gemellaro, 
and Monte Montanaro were completely surrounded 
by a molten sheet. On the 15tb inst the main 
crater ceased its action altogether, but numerous 
others were formed, making a total of thirteen in 
all, five of which were of considerable magnitude. 
The lava streams that issued from these, coa- 
lesced on the 16th and formed one great mass 
which up to the 20th inst continued steadily 
advancing in the direction of the towns of Nicolosi 
and Belpasso, both of which were at one time in 
iminent danger of being overwhelmed. The rate 
of the descent of the lava varied from 50 to 80 
