hat there has been in
this region, as in other parts of Sicily farther to the south, an upward
movement of the ancient bed of the sea. It is fair, therefore, to infer
that the whole mountain, with the exception of those parts which are of
very modern origin, has participated in this upheaval.

If we view Etna from the south, we see the marine deposits above alluded
to, forming a low line of hills (_e_, _e_, Fig. 47), or a steep inland
slope or cliff (_f_), as in the annexed drawing taken from the limestone
platform of Primosole. It should be observed however, in reference to
this view, that the height of the volcanic cone is ten times greater
than the hills at its base (_e_, _e_), although it appears less
elevated, because the summit of the cone is ten or twelve times more
distant from the plain of Catania than is Licodia.

[Illustration: Fig. 47.

View of Etna from the summit of the limestone platform of Primosole.

_a_, Highest cone.

_b_, Montagnuola.

_c_, Monte Minardo, with smaller lateral cones above.

_d_, Town of Licodia dei Monaci.

_e_, Marine formation called creta, argillaceous and sandy beds with a
few shells, and associated volcanic rocks.

_f_, Escarpment of stratified subaqueous volcanic tuff, &c., northwest
of Catania.

_g_, Town of Catania.

_h i_, Dotted line expressing the highest boundary along which the
marine strata are occasionally seen.

_k_, Plain of Catania.

_l_, Limestone platform of Primosole of the Newer Pliocene period.

_m_, La Motta di Catania.]

The mountain is in general of a very symmetrical form, a flattened cone
broken on its eastern side, by a deep valley, called the Val del Bove,
or in the provincial dialect of the peasants, "Val di Bua," for here the
herdsman

---- "in reducta valle mugientium
Prospectat errantes greges."

Dr. Buckland was, I believe, the first English geologist who examined
this valley with attention, and I am indebted to him for having
described it to me, before I visited Sicily, as more worthy of attention
than any single spot in that island, or perhaps in Europe.

[Illustration: PLATE III

VIEW LOOKING UP THE VAL DEL BOVE, ETNA]

The Val del Bove commences near the summit of Etna, and descending
into the woody region, is farther continued on one side by a second and
narrower valley, called the Val di Calanna. Below this another, named
the Val di St. Giacomo, begins,--a long narrow ravine, which is
prolonged to the neigh