borhood of Zaffarana (_e_, fig. 48), on the
confines of the fertile region. These natural incisions into the side of
the volcano are of such depth that they expose to view a great part of
the structure of the entire mass, which, in the Val del Bove, is laid
open to the depth of from 3000 to above 4000 feet from the summit of
Etna. The geologist thus enjoys an opportunity of ascertaining how far
the internal conformation of the cone corresponds with what he might
have anticipated as the result of that mode of increase which has been
witnessed during the historical era.

[Illustration: Fig. 48.

Great valley on the east side of Etna.

_a_, Highest cone.

_b_, Montagnuola.

_c_, Head of Val del Bove.

_d_, _d_, Serre del Solfizio.

_e_, Village of Zaffarana on the lower border of the woody region.

_f_, One of the lateral cones.

_g_, Monti Rossi.]

_Description of Plate III._--The accompanying view (Pl. III.) is part of
a panoramic sketch which I made in November, 1828, and may assist the
reader in comprehending some topographical details to be alluded to in
the sequel, although it can convey no idea of the picturesque grandeur
of the scene.

The great lava-currents of 1819 and 1811 are seen pouring down from the
higher parts of the valley, overrunning the forests of the great plain,
and rising up in the foreground on the left with a rugged surface, on
which many hillocks and depressions appear, such as often characterize a
lava-current immediately after its consolidation.

The small cone, No. 7, was formed in 1811, and was still smoking when I
saw it in 1828. The other small volcano to the left, from which vapor is
issuing, was, I believe, one of those formed in 1819.

The following are the names of some of the other points indicated in the
sketch:--

1, Montagnuola.
2, Torre del Filosofo.
3, Highest cone.
4, Lepra.
5, Finocchio.
6, Capra.
7, Cone of 1811.
8, Cima del Asino.
9, Musara.
10, Zocolaro.
11, Rocca di Calanna.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE IV.--The second view (Pl. IV.) represents the same
valley as seen from above, or looking directly down the Val del Bove,
from the summit of the principal crater formed in 1819.[567] I am
unable to point out the precise spot which this crater would occupy in
the view represented in Plate III.; but I conceive that it would appear
in the face of the great precipice, near which the smoke issuing from
the cone No. 7 is made to te