Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-16
SATURDAY. MORNING. JULY 49, 1885,

er on approaching the crater; but the
inclination of the steepest part of the
cone, no where exceeds an angle offor-
ty-6ve degrees. This prodigious vol
cano may be compared TO forge, which
in proportion to the violence of the fire,
to the nature of the fossil matters on
which it acts, and of the gases which
urge and set itin motion, produces, de-
stroys, and re-produces variety OF
forms.
The top of Etna being above the
common region of vapours; the hea-
vens at this elevation, appear with an
unusual splendor. Brydone and his
company observed, as they assembled in
the night, that the number of stars
seemed infinitely increased, and the
light Of each was brighter than usual.
The whiteness of the milky-way was
like pure flame which spread across
the heavens; and, with the naked eye,
they could observe clusters OF stars
which were invisible from below. They
likewise noticed several OF those me-
teors called falling stars, which APP
peared as much elevated here as when
viewed from the plain beneath.
This single mountain contains an
epitome Of the different climates
throughout the world, presenting at
once all the year, and all the varieties
of produce. 1t is accordingly divid-
ed into three distinct zones or regions
which may be distinguished as torrid,
temperate and frigid, but which are
known by the names Of the cultivated
region, the woody or temperate region
and the frlgid or desert region. The
former of these extends through
twelve miles of the ascent towards the
summit, and is almost Incredibly "a
bundant In pastures and fruit trees OF
every description. 1t is covered with
towns, villages and monasteries; and
the number of inhabitants spread over
its surface is estimated at 10000. In
ascending to the woody or tempe
rate region, the scene changes; it is
a new climate, new creation: Be-
low, the heat is suffocatingi but here
the air is mild and fresh. The turf is
covered with aromatic plants, and the
gulf, which formerly elected torrents
Of fire, are changed into woody vallies.
Than this, nothing can be more pic
turesque, the inequality of the soil dis.
playing every moment some variety OF
scene. Here the ash and Towering
thorns form domes of verdure; & there
the chestnut trees grow to an enormous
size. The one called castaguo de cento
cauaM, according to Brydone and Clio
YER, has circumference Of 2o4 feet.
Many of the oaks also are Of prodigi'
Gus size. Mr.. Levenbourne measur-
ed one which. had circumference OF
% feet. The last, or desert region
commences more than a mile above the
level of the sea. The lower part is
covered with snow in winter only; but
on the upper half of this terrible dis
trict the snow continually lies,
sometimes the pencil, in cool airy halls.
Babe the gay bloom ofvernal landscapes rise,
On autumn's varied shades embrown the walls:
Now the black tempest strikes the astonish'd
eyes,
Now down the steep the flashing torrent flies
The trembling sun now plays DER ocean blue,
And now rude mountains frown amid the skies
Whate'er Lorraine light touched with soft
ming hue. -
Or savage Rosa dashed, or learned Poussln
drew. THOMPSON.
The upper part which may proper
" be called the cone of Etna, is in a
RIGHT line, about mile or somewhat
more in ascent. 1t is described by Sir
William Hamilton as a little noun
tain, about quarter Of a mile perpen-
dicular and very steep, situated in the
middle Of gently inclined plain, about
nine miles in circumference. The
cavity was according to his perception
shaped like funnel, diminishing un-
til it terminated in point and having
an outer circumference Of two miles
and half round.-Great changes have
since taken place. Spalanzani also
reached the edge Of the crater, and
found it to be an oval Of about a mile
and a half in circuit, having its edges
in many places indented by projecting
layas or scoria. The bottom was near
" horizontal plain, about two thirds
Of q mile in circumference, hence is.
sued constant column of smoke, and
hence, as we'll as as from the sides, a.
rose several streams Of smoke resem-
bling thin clouds. Within the aper-
ture liquid ignited matter was clear
" seen, constantly undulating, boiling
rising and falling, without spreading
over the bottom. This was no doubt
the melted lava which had issued from
the bottom of the gulf. Neither ofthe
above travellers; nor Brydone, dared
to venture down the crater, which they
c.,,,,d too hot. hut M. d. OryiiIc