mountain is an extensive valley called the Val del Bove, surrounded on three sides by abrupt precipices rising from 1000 to 3000 feet. Above it is a plain called Piano del Lago, on which are two buildings, one called the Casa Inglese (English Lodge), built by the subscriptions of English tourists; another called Torre del Filisofo (the Philosopher's Tower), said to have been the residence of Empedocles, who threw himself into the crater. Above this plain rises the great cone of the crater. The ascent can be made in about ten hours. The journey is usually commenced at night, in order to enjoy the magnificent view, which extends to Malta, and to the island of Pantalaria in the direction of Africa the former being 130, the latter 180 miles distant. The ascent is made in the summer months. The manager of the Grand Hotel at Catania undertakes all the details of guides, provisions, &c., &c., for the ascent. From Catania to PALERMO via Caltanisetta (185 miles). Fare, 1st class, 33 frcs. 80c.; 2d class, 23 frcs. 70c. From Catania to SYRACUSE (54 miles), (Hotels: Del Sole, Vittoria) (both bad.) The sights of old Syracuse are the Roman Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, the ancient baths and tombs, the latomic or quarries, once used as prisons, the famous Ear of Dyonisius, an enormous cavern in the rock, also used as a prison in ancient times. It has a wonderful echo. In the modern city are the Cathedral, built upon the ruins of a temple, and the famous Fountain of Are thusa, growing in which may be seen the papyrus plant. Not far from the ruins of the Greek Theatre are extensive and interesting catacombs. The sights of Syracuse may be seen, in a cursory manner, of course, in three or four hours, if a good guide is employed and the tour is made with a carriage. From Syracuse to Malta (68 miles.) Fare by steamer 30 frs. The chief town of the Island of Malta is VALETTA (Hotels: see "HOTEL LIST.") The view of the city on approaching it from the sea is magnificent. On arriving one 18 struck by the extent and strength of the fortifications. The unevenness of the site of the town makes it necessary to keep up communication between many of the streets by flights of steps, forming one of the principal features of the place. The principal streets are wide and well paved, and the buildings handsome. One of the principal sights of the city is the CATHEDRAL, built in 1580. It contains many tombs of the Knights of Malta, and a few fine pictures. The Palace of the Grand Master, now the residence of the Governor, is a spacious edifice, containing some fine apartments, an armoury, &c. The new opera is one of the handsomest in Europe. Malta has a mild winter climate, and is much resorted to by visitors from northern countries. Living is good and cheap. Excursions may be made to CITTA VECCIA, the former capital of the island, where is shown a cave said to have been inhabited by St Paul after his shipwreck. There are interesting catacombs in the vicinity. Seven miles from Citta Veccia is St Paul's Bay, on the shore of which tradition has it that St Paul suffered shipwreck. Both the places above named may be visited in five or six hours from Valetta. ROUTE 179. NAPLES TO PALERMO. For Steamers and Fares, see page 739. P ALERMO is (Hotels: see "HOTEL LIST") situated on the north coast of Sicily. As we approach, the gulf and town present a most delightful prospect. The latter is partially encircled by groves of orange and citron trees, behind which rises a range of magnificent hills. Its shape is an oblong square, of which one of the small sides abuts on the coast. Its circumference is about fourteen miles, and its principal streets are terminated by fifteen gates. Two large and regular streets, intersecting at right angles, form an octagonal space, called the Piazza Vigliena, or Quattro Cantoni, adorned with handsome buildings, porticoes, fountains, and statues, among which last are those of Charles V., Philip II., III., and IV. of Spain. By the sea-side runs the beautiful promenade called Marina, ending at a public garden called the Garden of Flora. The Cathedral, erected in 1170, is externally in the Norman style, with Moorish decorations; the western façade is a beautiful specimen of the pointed style of Sicilian architecture; a lofty arcade, with pointed arches, joins the belfry to the Cathedral. The interior contains several monuments, paintings, sculptures, and frescoes. The Palazzo Reale contains the Palatine Chapel, an interesting specimen of art of the 12th century. The Museum and the University contain interesting collections of paintings and antiquities. About 3 miles from Palermo is Monreale, a town of 15,000 inhabitants. The Cathedral, surpassing in size that of St Mark at Venice, is ornamented with quaint mosaics. PALERMO TO GIRGENTI. Distance, 84 miles. Fares, 1st class, 15 frs. 30c.; 2d class, 10 frs. 70c. Leaving Palermo, the route skirts the coast, passing several unimportant stations, and reaches Termini, one of the most thriving towns in Sicily, from which several pleasant excursions can be made. Leaving Termini, the road turns to the south, and fellows the banks of the Tuime Torto through the beautiful valley of Castronovo, and passing Aragona and Caldara, the junction for Catania, we arrive at Girgenti (Hotel: des Temples), the ancient Agrigentum. The modern town is one of the most important in Sicily; its principal trade is the export of sulphur. It is a cathedral town and the seat of a bishopric. The famous Greek temples of Girgenti are situated to the east and south of the town, and are most conveniently reached by carriage (fare for 3 hours, 5 francs each person, each additional hour 2 francs). Leaving the town by the Porta del Ponte, we pass the Rock of Athene, the site of an ancient temple, and reach the Temple of Juno Lacinia. The temple is 134 feet long. Twentyfive of its columns are still erect. To the west is the fine Temple of Corcord, with its thirty-four columns and architrave still standing. Close by is the Temple of Hercules. It has thirty-eight columns. It was restored under the Romans. Beside this temple is the Porta Aurea, leading to the harbour. To the north lie the ruins of the uncompleted Temple of Zeus, which was the largest of all these temples, its length being 363 feet, breadth 182, and the height of its columns 55 feet. The Temple of Castor and Pollux, with its four Doric columns, is in the immediate vicinity. The remains of the temples of Ceres and Esculapius are also interesting. From Palermo excursions can be made to Catania (see Route 183) and Messina via Caltanisetta. (Time to Messina, 12 hours. Distance, 245 miles. Fare, 44frs. 55c.) There are no towns of especial interest on the route from Palermo to Catania, but the scenery along the line is interesting and in some places very fine. Palermo to TRAPANI via Marsala. (Time, 7 hours. Fare, first class, 21 frs. 40c.; second class, 14 frs. 95c.) Leaving Palermo, the line enters a mountainous district, and passing several unimportant stations reaches Alcamo-Calatafimi, from which the Temple of Segeta may be visited by carriage. (Time, 1 hours.) This temple is situated on a hill to the west of Calatafimi. Its thirtysix Doric columns are still standing. Its length is 200 feet and width 85 feet. There are several other interesting ruins in the immediate neighbourhood. Leaving Alcamo-Calatafimi we pass through a fertile district, arriving at Marsala (Hotels: Leone, Trinacria), one of the most important towns in Sicily; its chief export is Marsala wine. It was here that Garibaldi landed in 1860 and began his famous campaign in the island. Leaving Marsala the train follows the coast line, and passing several small towns reaches Trapani, which is situated at the northwestern extremity of Sicily. The town contains nothing of note, but a pleasant excursion may be made to Monte San Guiliano. PAIN is bounded on the north by the Bay of Biscay and the mountain chain of the Pyrenees; on the east and south by the Mediterranean and Atlantic, and on the west by Portugal and the waters of the Atlantic. Its greatest length is 560 miles, its greatest breadth about 650 miles. Its area, including the Canary and Balearic Islands, is 182,758 square miles. The interior of the country presents great physical diversity, more so than that of any other country in Europe of equal ex 780 tent. The central regions consist of an immense plateau, which rises to the height of from 2000 to 3000 feet, and occupies upwards of 90,000 square miles. This plateau, or table land, is bounded on two sides by mountainous tracts-on the north-east by the valley of the Ebro, and on the south by the valley of the Guadalquivir. The Pyrenean peninsula is divided by geographers into seven mountain ranges, of which the chief are: 1. The Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees, forming the most northern range; 2. The Sierra de Guadarrama; 3. The Montes de Toledo; 4. The Sierra Morena, |