New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-29
SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE.
MOUNT ETNA STILL ACTIVE.

| Professor Silvestli, of Catania reports that
since the shower OF ashes on July 10 Etna has
shown various signs of activity. The latest
manifestation is phase OF mud eruptions at
Palermo, on the southeast of the mountain.
Two craters have been violently ejcctlng
abundant torrents of mud. more consistent
than usual. ard of higher temperature
GAO degrees Fahrenheit). This mud. ac-
cumulating in the bs sins in large masses,
finally broke through all barriers, overfiowed
and destroyed the adjoining fields. and buried
several mills and farmbouses. In this erup-
ton there was an abundant development and
pressure of gaseous matter, IF such force that
7 it produced oscillations strong enough to tear
up the old lava, forming rents out of which
the gas rushed with the noise OF boiler
letting of Its steam. Colncldent with these
phenomena clouds of vapor issued from the
efuptiye fissuIe of last year, confirming the
opinion that this fssure, living between the
two principal craters of 1879 and the great
central one il still in communication with The
central eruptive axis, for Napor, mixed with
ashes which fell all over the cone also
issued from the central crater. This activity
continued during several days. and still con-
tinues with decreased intensity. seen from
Catania in the shape of dense clouds Covering
the whole summit OF Etna III a clear sky.
Changes have also taken place which have
entirely altered the form of the central crater.
The old Iavlne, which formerly crossed the
crater, and made twO-thirds of ii into an ample
and easily accessible basin. natural laboratory
for the study OF the products OF the volcano,
now exists no longer. The central crater, from
the effects Of Violent councillors has
crumbed. and, with part of its sides and the
high point whence II was formerly possible
to enjoy the sunrise, has been precpltdted
into the rayine, diminishing the height of the
mountain by about 40 feet, while the circum
ference OF the crater has become wider by half
a kiOmetre. The general destruction of the
old sides has in a certain way rejuvenized the
crater which has reganed It's characteristic
form of funnel at the bottom OF which Is
now the eruptive mouth
BALTIC AND GERMAN OCEAN CANAL.
The project for this canal. which has during
the last thirty years been more or less under
consideration. has lately. Gays Engineering, re-
ceIYed new impulse through an interesting
pamphlet published by Mr.. Dahlstrom, who points
out the great advantage OF canal connecting
these two seas, and Is the most suitable lOca-
ton the line between the Bay OF hiehl, on the
Baltic, and the town of Biunsbuttel, on the
German Ocean, Is recommended The canal
would have a width AZ water level OF I64fr., !
at bottom OF GjGft., and a depth Of 2lft. |
An, which would allow the largest vessels !
al0at to pass the canal. These dimensions /
are but a iltle below those of the general /
section of the SueZ Canal, which is 110u. wide /
at water level. 72ft. at bottom. while the depth /
varies from 24ft. 10 20. BY reducing the /
dimensions to the figures quoted above, Mr.. |
DahistrOm calculates that the cost OF the canal (
may De reduced Dy dDOut = fJo,VVp IL CoM-
pared with previous estimates, and puts the total |
expenditure at f3, $50, 900. Or this sum il IS
that the government provide one
fifth, while the remainder Is contributed by |
private enterprise.
The number of ships now passing the
Sound, between the Island of iceland and
sweden, amounts according TO Nj. Dahl
strom, to 36,673 per annum; OF these 800
are steamers. and il only two-thirds, o. say
loo OF these vessels, will the new
canal. which tor steamers effects Il saving
over the old route OF thirty hours, and Tor
sailing vessels oi four days, small tax per
ton will pay good interest on the invested
capital. The preliminary WORKS Tor this
canal are making good progress under Mr.
Dahlstrom's direction. Behring'S along tne
IouIe OF the proposed canal aIe completed,
and are said 10 have given very satisfactory re-
suits. while the surveying operations are ex
pected to be finished dnIng this autumn. !
" hen plans and specifications will be pre-
pared, and submitted for government appro val.