Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/141

 bigness of the Sea-Salt made by Fire; but ours is of the size of a Pepper-grain sand of a Cubical shape.

The Marishes are preserv'd from one year to another by overflowing them, so that the water be near a foot high above the Marishes.

There are Marishes, that are not separated from the Sea but by a ditch of 20. or 30. foot large: others are further distant, receiving the Water by Channels, that are made according to the Scituation of the Marishes. To preserve this Ditch, it is strengthened with stones from the foot to the top, as we use to pave streets.

The Timber of the Marishes, if it be of good Oak, keeps near thirty years; but there is used but little Wood, all the Ditches and Apertures being done with stones.

Ouching the Forerunners of this Fire, there was, for the space of 18. days, before it broke out, a very thick dark sky in those parts, with Thunder and lightning and frequent Concussions of the Earth, which the people make terrible reports of, though I never saw nor heard of any Buildings cast down thereby, save a final town or village, call'd Nicalosi; about halfe a male distant from the New Mouth, and some such other slight Buildings among those Towns, that were after over-run by the Fire. Besides, it was observ'd that the Old top or Mouth of Ætna did, for 2. or 3. months before, rage more than usual; the like of which did Volcan and Strombilo, two Burning Islands to the West-ward. And the top of Ætna must abous the same time have sunk down into its old Vorago or hole, in that 'tis agreed by all, that had seen this mountain before, that it was very much lower'd. Other Forerunners of this Fire I have not heard nor met with.

It first broke out on the Eleventh of March 6691669 [sic], about two hours before night, and that on the South-East-side or skirt of