ectly, describes it as an oval,
stretching from E. and by N. to W., and by S. with a conjugate
diameter of four hundred and ninety-three yards; the transverse he
was prevented from ascertaining by a dense cloud that arose before his
operations were completed. It was soon requisite for us to retire from
this spot, as the smoke began to increase, and our guides said that
some adventurous travellers had lost their lives by approaching too
near, and were either blown into the abyss below by the violence
of the wind, which is generally very strong at this elevation, or
suffocated by a sudden burst of the sulphureous vapour.

The Regione Deserta, or desolate region of Etna, first attracts the
eye, marked in winter by a circle of ice and snow, but now (July)
by cinders and black sand. In the midst the great crater rears its
burning head, and the regions of intense heat and extreme cold shake
hands together. The eye soon becomes satiated with its wildness, and
turns with delight on the Sylvana region, which, with its magnificent
zone of forest trees, embraces the mountain completely round: in many
parts of this delightful tract are seen hills, now covered with
the most luxuriant vegetation, that have been formed by different
eruptions of Etna. This girdle is succeeded by another still richer,
called the Regione Culta, abundant in every fruit or grain that man
can desire: the small rivers Semetus and Alcantara intersect these
fertile fields; beyond this the whole of Sicily, with its cities,
towns, and villages, its corn-fields and vineyards in almost endless
perspective, charm and delight the senses.

The summit of the mountain is composed of scoria, and crystallizations
of sulphur, with here and there heaps of lava; wherever a stick is
thrust in, the opening immediately emits a volume of white smoke,
and if the hand be applied to the aperture, it is soon withdrawn on
account of the great heat. The mean temperature of the summit, during
the months of July and August, is 37 deg. Fahr. After having remained
about an hour, descended to the Casa Inglese. After an hour's repose,
proceeded downwards, visited the Philosopher's Tower, as it is called,
which tradition says was constructed by Empedocles while he was
studying the various phenomena of Etna.

About a mile or two from this spot, there is a grand view of the
Val di Bove. The foreground consists of lava, forming the face of an
enormous precipice, at the bottom of which is se