The Washington herald., 1911-05-14
Mount Etna

like to know little more about It.
Well. will try to give you some idea OF what
is to be seen there. But first let me tell you
that Ena rises to the height OF ll.SoO teet
above the sea, and has been an active volcano
since the dawn of its history, its huge mass
seeming to be entirely composed OF volcanic
matter, which now and again streams out OF
the crater" at the top. and is called lava.
Around the base of the mountain the SOIL
consists mainly of this lava, which in different
eruptions has poured down from the top; here
are fruit trees in abundance, rich cornhelds,
mixed with vineyards, olive groves and orange
trees, and now and then lovely flower gardens,
producing such variety OF foliage as, per-
haps, cannot be seen in any other part OF
Europe. Bat when you begin to ascend the
scene changes. and you pass through vast
fields of black cinders and lava blocks. where
the only beautiful object is the broom. which
grows most luxurantly, its brilliant masses OF
yellow flower contrasting brightly with tho
black lava.
remains of former cruptions, the largest OF
which is Monte Rossi, 3llO feet high. called
the Red Montain, from the color OF its ashes
This enormous cone was formed in the great
eruption OF l6G9, when 1000 persons were
lava, which reached the town Of Catania, and
even flowed into the sea.
As you advance you come to a so-calcd Tor
est. consisting chiefly OF horse chestnut trees;
but these soon cease. Everything green now
disappears, the prospect becomes more and
more drcary and the ascent becomes more
steep, while the path is difficult to trace
among tue lava, black sand and ashes. for
part OF the way it lies entirely through dusty
cinders The sharply peaked mountain. Mon
tagnuolo, some 1000 feet high, here rises be-
fore you.
If the evening hour finds you at this point,
how lovely are the rosy tints ditfused around
by the sinking sun, while the intense blue of
the sky contrasts strangely with the black
smoke which often issues from the crater!
You must know that there il scarcely any
twilight in these regions. and SO it becomes
dark almost Immediately after sunset. and the
stars shine out with wonderful brightness.
Beiore the hnal ascent you cross the Piano
del lAgo, tolerably level space, but very
rough walking, over snow, lava blocks and
ashes. And then comes the climb up the sui
phur cone. which seems to rise perpendicular
This last pull is very hard work, for the loose
soil. composed of sandy ashes, sinks down at
every step. only varied now and then by a
block OF Lava or large piece OF sulphur. But
at last the summit is reached, and il it is a
clear day the magnificent view repays you for
all your trouble Sometimes, however, n dense
mass OF smoke issues from the crater, and
makes 1t impossible to see anything The top
ot the crater Is above two miles in crcumfer-
encc, and it is several hundred feet deep
1t has been said that to ascend Etna one
must pass through the torrid, temperate and
friHd zones. and certainly in June, for in.
stance. while the heat is ovcrpowering at FIRST,
it becomes bitterly cold before your reach the
top.
Ancient poets will tell You that the flames
OF Etna proceed from the breath Of Enccladus,
mighty giant who fought against Jupiter,
and as punishment for his boldness WIS over.
whclmed under the mountain. They will also
tel! you that the rlmblings which are heard
before an eruption arc poor Ehceadus turning
on his weary side