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VESUVIUS, ETNA AND STROMBOLI 265 
It is thus that man, in his eagerness to cultivate all available 
parts of the earth, dares the most frightful perils and ventures into 
the most threatening situations, seeking to snatch the means of 
life from the very jaws of death. The danger is soon forgotten, 
the need of cultivation of the ground is ever pressing, and no 
threats of peril seem capable of restraining the activity of man for 
many years. Though the proposition of abandoning the Island of 
Martinique has been seriously considered, the chances are that, before 
many years have passed, a cheerful and busy population will be at 
work again on the flanks of Mont Pelee. 
MOUNT ETNA 
On the eastern coast of the Island of Sicily, and not far from 
the sea, rises in solitary grandeur Mount Etna, the largest and 
highest of European volcanoes. Its height above the level of the 
sea is a little over 10,870 feet, considerably above the limit of per- 
petual snow. It accordingly presents the striking phenomenon of 
volcanic vapors ascending from a snow-clad summit. The base of 
the mountain is eighty-seven miles in circumference, and nearly 
circular; but there is a wide additional extent all around over- 
spread by its lava. The lower portions of the mountain are 
exceedingly fertile, and richly adorned with corn-fields, vineyards, 
olive-groves and orchards. Above this region are extensive forests, 
chiefly of oak, chesnut, and pine, with here and there clumps of 
cork-trees and beech. In this forest region are grassy glades, which 
afford rich pasture to numerous flocks. Above the forest lies a 
volcanic desert, covered with black lava and slag. Out of this 
region, which is comparatively flat, rises the principal cone, about 
1,100 feet in height, having on its summit the crater, whence sul- 
phurous vapors are continually evolved,