Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/149

 Chap. 85.] PRODIGIES OF THE EARTH. 115 difference in the nature of the motions Tvhere various mo- tions are experienced. It is the safest when it vibrates and causes a creaking in the building, and where it swells and rises upwards, and settles with an alternate motion. It is also harmless Avhen the buildings coming together butt against each other in opposite directions, for the motions counteract each other. A movement like the rolling of waves is dangerous, or when the motion is impelled in one direction. The tremors cease when the vapour bursts out'-^ ; but if they do not soon cease, they continue for forty days ; gene- rally, indeed, for a longer time : some have lasted even for one or two years. CHAP. 85. (S3.) PRODIGIES OE THE EARTH WHICH HAVE OCCURRED ONCE ONLY. A great prodigy of the earth, which never happened more than once, I have found mentioned in thebooks of the Etruscan ceremonies, as having taken place in the district of Mutina, during the consulship of Lucius Martins and Sextus Julius^. Two mountains rushed together, falhng upon each other Avith a very loud crash, and then receding ; while in the day- time flame and smoke issued from them ; a great crowd of Eomau knights, and families of people, and travellers on the ^milian way, being spectators of it. All the farm-houses were throwTi down by the shock, and a great number of animals that were in them were killed ; it was in the year before the Social war ; and I am in doubt whether this event or the civil commotions Avere more fatal to the territory of Italy. The prodigy which happened in our own age was no less wonderful ; in the last year of the emperor IS^ero"*, as I have related in my history of his times^, when certain lielda and olive grounds in the district of ]Marrucinum, belonging to Vectius Marcellus, a Eoman knight, the steward of Nero, ^ These remarks upon the different kinds of shocks are probably taken from Aristotle, Meteor, ii. 8. " Tlii? observation is also in Aristotle, ii. 8. 3 In the year of the city 0(53 ; a.c. DO. ^ The continuation of Aufidius Bassus' liistory ; our author refers to it in the first book. i2
 * In the year of the city 821 ; a.d. 68.