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CHAP. 83. (81.)—SIGNS OF AN APPROACHING EARTHQUAKE.

There is no doubt that earthquakes are felt by persons on shipboard, as they are struck by a sudden motion of the waves, without these being raised by any gust of wind. And things that are in the vessels shake as they do in houses, and give notice by their creaking; also the birds, when they settle upon the vessels, are not without their alarms. There is also a sign in the heavens; for, when a shock is near at hand, either in the daytime or a little after sunset, a cloud is stretched out in the clear sky, like a long thin line1. The water in wells is also more turbid than usual, and it emits a disagreeable odour2.

1 This observation is taken from Aristotle, Meteor. ii. 8.

2 Phænomena of this kind have been frequently noticed, and are not difficult of explanation.

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  • Cross-references to this page (4):
    • Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), MARRUCI´NI
    • Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), MU´TINA
    • Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), TEATE
    • Smith's Bio, Caesar
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