ions (see
fig. 85). Along the flanks of a small valley in this district there
appears to have been an almost uninterrupted line of landslips.

_Currents of mud._--Near S. Lucido, among other places, the soil is
described as having been "dissolved," so that large torrents of mud
inundated all the low grounds, like lava. Just emerging from this mud,
the tops only of trees and of the ruins of farm-houses were seen. Two
miles from Laureana, the swampy soil in two ravines became filled with
calcareous matter, which oozed out from the ground immediately before
the first great shock. This mud, rapidly accumulating, began, ere long,
to roll onward, like a flood of lava, into the valley, where the two
streams uniting, moved forward with increased impetus from east to west.
It now presented a breadth of 225 feet by 15 in depth, and, before it
ceased to move, covered a surface equal in length to an Italian mile. In
its progress it overwhelmed a flock of thirty goats, and tore up by the
roots many olive and mulberry trees, which floated like ships upon its
surface. When this calcareous lava had ceased to move, it gradually
became dry and hard, during which process the mass was lowered seven
feet and a half. It contained fragments of earth of a ferruginous
color, and emitting a sulphureous smell.

_Fall of the sea-cliffs._--Along the sea-coast of the Straits of
Messina, near the celebrated rock of Scilla, the fall of huge masses
detached from the bold and lofty cliffs overwhelmed many villas and
gardens. At Gian Greco, a continuous line of cliff, for a mile in
length, was thrown down. Great agitation was frequently observed in the
bed of the sea during the shocks, and, on those parts of the coast where
the movement was most violent, all kinds of fish were taken in
abundance, and with unusual facility. Some rare species, as that called
Cicirelli, which usually lie buried in the sand, were taken on the
surface of the waters in great quantity. The sea is said to have boiled
up near Messina, and to have been agitated as if by a copious discharge
of vapors from its bottom.

_Shore near Scilla inundated._--The prince of Scilla had persuaded a
great part of his vassals to betake themselves to their fishing-boats
for safety, and he himself had gone on board. On the night of the 5th of
February, when some of the people were sleeping in the boats, and others
on a level plain slightly elevated above the sea, the earth rocked, and
suddenly a