DELPHI. 227 
examination of the antiquities and natural curiosi- chap. 
ties of Delphi, the most extraordinary place in > 
all Greece, whether with reference to the one or qun^" a^j 
to the other ; and we shall detail tliem with as ^''*"'''') 
Curiosi- 
much minuteness as possible. We had reason *'"• 
to believe, that the remarkable circumstances 
related of the place and manner in which the 
Pythian oracles were delivered, would lead to 
the discovery of some mephitic exhalation 
upon the spot, similar to that of the Grotta del 
Cane, near Naples. The Tripod stood over a 
crevice, or narrow mouth of a cave'; and the 
Pythia, being seated thereon, was afterwards 
attacked by convulsions : she is moreover 
described as pale and emaciated, and as resist- 
ing the officiating priests, who compelled her, 
although reluctant-, to sit upon the Tripod, 
where she was forcibly detained. But our 
search after this vapour was unsuccessful : in 
answer to all our inquiries concerning the 
Adytum, the only information we obtained from 
the inhabitants was, that no place corresponded 
with our description better than the hole where 
(1 j <Jt>«s'i S' uva.1 TO faavTiIoi clvT^oy xo7X»i xara. fia^ovsj ov f>.c/,\a iv^ufrsfAtf 
ei,)ia<p'i^i<r6at 3' e| aurtu ^nvfict hicuiria.ffriKov, Sirabon. Geog. p. 607. 
ed. Oxon. 
(2) Vid. Lucan. Pliarsal. lib. v. 
Q '1 
