volcanoes. That the eruptions are as numerous as from subaerial craters there can be no doubt, but they are much less liable to be observed. It is a singular fact, that we are acquainted with scarcely an instance of subaqueous eruption that has not produced an island, and yet it may be reasonably supposed that many do occur which have not sufficient energy to elevate the mineral masses above the level of the sea. This circumstance may be accounted for in two ways. It is probable that the volcanic vent is sometimes superposed by so great a depth of water that no effect is produced on the surface by the eruption; at other times the energy which is exerted is sufficient to occasion many phenomena on the surface of the water; but no observer is present, and therefore, in this instance, as well as the other, we gain no information concerning the activity. The most remarkable subaqueous eruptions of which we have any account are those which have troubled the Sea of Azof, the Azores*, and the Island of Santorino in the Grecian Archipelago: we shall only dwell upon the phenomena which attended the latter. The Island of Santorino, in the Grecian Archipelago, was formerly known by the name of Thera. Pliny, speaking of it, says, "There is a tradition that it rose out of the sea ;" and supposes it to have occurred in the 135th Olympiad, or about 237 years B. C. By the agency of a subaqueous volcano in the neighbourhood of Santorino, several islands have at various times been formed, and perhaps Santorino itself had its origin from the On the 22d of May, 1707, the volcano again burst into action, and the islands around were violently agitated by an earthquake. On the following morning a new island, İsola Nuova, was discovered. A few days after, several persons ventured to land, the agitation having apparently subsided; but during their stay the island began to tremble exceedingly, and they hastily left the treacherous ground on which they had trespassed. In July there arose, at a distance of about sixty paces from the new island, a ridge of black rocks, from which torrents of smoke issued. The inhabitants of Santorino were * See an account of the formation of the Island of Sabrina, Phil. Trans., vol. cii. p. 152. greatly alarmed at this new phenomenon; and so prejudicial was the vapour, that many of the inhabitants were killed by inhaling it, and all, more or less, felt its effects. On the 31st the sea seemed as though ready to boil, and in two places near the island revolved in circular eddies. During the whole of this time the volcanic agent was in a state of great activity, but varied in its manner of operation. On the 23d of May, the phenomena assumed a less terrific aspect, and from that time gradually decreased in violence; but during the following ten years the volcanic agent continued in a state of partial excitement, the surrounding islands were occasionally troubled with earthquakes, and the inhabitants alarmed by subterranean noises. The following sketch (fig. 62.) may bring to mind the relative positions of the island group. The Island of St. Michael's, which is the largest of the Azores, is described by Dr. Webster as entirely formed of volcanic rocks. It is famous for the number of its hot springs, which are greatly impregnated with sulphuric acid, and sulphuretted hydrogen. Several subaqueous eruptions occurred in its neighbourhood between the years 1638 and 1720. From the latter date to the year 1811, the volcanic agent remained in a state of repose; but during that year it again burst into action, and a new volcano was formed. This product of its throes stood about 300 ft. above the level of the sea, and was about a mile in circumference, but after a short time sunk again into its watery bed. This is frequently the case with islands formed by submarine action. During the time of eruption, columns of smoke rise from the sea; the waters are much agitated, and rendered very impure; scoriæ and lava are ejected; and at last an island is formed, which is fated to sink into its watery bed a few hours after it has been raised. B, Therasia. c, Hiera. A, Santorino. (To be continued.) COLLECTANEA. ART. I. Zoology. THE Domestic Cat catching Swallows on the Wing. Sir, In p. 84. an allusion is made to the capture of swallows by cats. The following instance, which I witnessed, is not only an indisputable confirmation of the fact, but exhibits in a still stronger degree the calculating instinct, if I may so express myself, of certain animals in the pursuit of prey. A few years ago, when walking up a narrowish street in the town of St. Hélier, in the Island of Jersey, during the month of August, I observed, far ahead, a swift (Hirúndo Apus) darting towards me, about a foot or two above the ground, uttering, as usual, its well-known screaming note. I had scarcely observed it on the wing, before its rapid flight brought it close to the pavement where I stood, when, at the instant of its passing, I was surprised by a sudden and somewhat smartish blow on my feet. On looking down, to ascertain the cause, I was not a little astonished to find it proceeded from a cat, which I had previously noticed sitting, apparently dosing, at a gateway on the opposite side of the street. She, however, had seen the descending bird, and so nicely calculated her pounce, as to impinge upon her victim with unerring certainty; for the unfortunate bird, after a momentary struggle, was secured in her mouth, and carried off in triumph into a house. Struck with the singular incident, I also entered, and mentioned to a woman who was within the active feat of her cat. In reply, she assured me that such captures were by no means new to her, scarcely a day passing without similar attempts on the part of her favourite, and frequently with the success I had just witnessed.-E. S. I once saw two martins (Hirundo úrbica) buffeting each other on the wing, near the ground, opposite the paling of a cottage garden, from under which an observant cat rushed out upon them, captured one of them, and bore it back to the garden in triumph. The birds were buffeting each other at the distance of six yards from the paling whence the cat emerged; but so rancorous was their conflict, that they could perceive only each other. Myself and a companion were within a few yards of them. -J. D. The Domestic Cat springing at Swallows, and other Feats by it. Sir, At p 84., J. D. describes with great truth and fidelity the mode in which swallows attack the cat, and the cunning and agility which the cat in her turn evinces, in endeavouring to catch the swallows on the wing, as they dash by her. I have often witnessed these encounters, and have been much amused in watching a cat of my own, which would lie flat on her belly with her paws extended, and in that position would, with an agility equal to that of any harlequin in a pantomime, suddenly leap up from the ground into the air full 3 ft. high at the passing swallow. J. D. says that on these occasions he "never knew the cat catch a swallow :" neither did I ever see her do so; but I have no doubt of her occasional success, independently of the testimony borne to the fact in the passage quoted in the same page from the Verulam; for the same cat I have above alluded to once brought to me a swallow alive in her mouth. She leaped up with it to the outside of my sitting-room window (at which she was accustomed to be let in, to display, as it were, the trophies of her victory. Observing that the swallow was alive, I took hold of the cat, and with my thumb and finger opened her jaws, when, to my no small satisfaction, the bird instantly flew away unhurt, and as brisk as ever, twittering its shrill note in celebration of its escape from so perilous a situation. The interesting extract from the Verulam, above alluded to, is, in the main, just and true; but I cannot help thinking the writer is in error, when he states, "the simple swallows, dreaming of no harm, and thinking they can here make a good meal, dip down from the barren air, dart with open bill upon the flies," &c. On the contrary, I apprehend the swallows are fully aware of the danger, and do not approach the cat for the sake of feeding upon the flies which may have collected about her, but rather with a view to banter her, and express their jealousy and hatred of a well-known enemy, upon the same principle as they also, as well as other small birds, mob and attack hawks and birds of prey. I think, too, that the writer in the Verulam is hardly borne out by facts, when he speaks of the cat's" unerring success whenever a swallow ventures within her reach." I believe that it is a thing of rare occurrence for the cat on these occasions to succeed in capturing a swallow; though, as already stated, I do not doubt the fact in particular cases. I can only say, that, repeatedly as I have witnessed these encounters, I never yet saw the cat actually succeed, not even when the swallows have approached so near as to touch her, as they sometimes will do. It is a prevailing opinion, and one which, a priori, sounds plausible enough, that cats which are regularly fed and much petted (parlour boarders, as it were), are thereby spoiled as mousers (see this opinion stated Vol. IV. p. 513.), and rendered as useless in their trade as ladies' lapdogs. This, however, though it may be true in particular instances, is very far from being invariably the case. I have known many instances of favourite cats, petted and well fed, which yet have proved most expert and diligent in their proper calling, and, I may say, at the head of their profession, destroying all kinds of vermin, as well as birds, reptiles, and insects; and among the latter the common white butterflies, moths, and cockchafers, which puss would catch with great adroitness, and somewhat grotesque agility, while on the wing. Yours, &c. — W. T. Bree. Allesley Rectory, Jan. 11. 1832. Cats, like many, if not all, domestic animals, are the best servants when well fed. The half-starved cat is a cunning, thievish, cowardly creature, more likely to fly from than at a rat; but when in heart is bold and active, appearing to delight in the pursuit of vermin, and to enjoy it as an agreeable amusement, as he kills more than he eats. Some cats have even been trained to assist in killing vermin on the removal of corn-ricks, and they kill them with far greater quickness and certainty than the terrier.-J. C. Farmer. Nov. 29. 1831. Feline Sportsman. — I saw a cat at Dorking, last summer, who pursued mice with true sportsmanlike feeling. He never eat his game, but uniformly laid it at the feet of the first person he found of the family, and, having drawn attention to his trophy, walked away with an air of proud satisfaction to the performance of fresh exploits. — J. W. L. The article by Cattus, Vol. IV. p. 511., and the remarks by A. R. Y., Vol. V. p. 51, 52., and the note, are farther amplifications of feline history. -J. D. A Kitten resembling a Rabbit in its hinder Half.- Sir, As you admit physiological subjects, perhaps the following may not be unacceptable to some of your readers. The subject is the production of a domestic cat; and amongst the five kittens she produced is one which, from its singularity of appearance, excites general observation. Its head, teeth, fore legs, and claws, and its body to the termination of the short ribs, are those of a perfectly formed cat; the hind quarters, with the short turned up tail, legs, and claws, bear every resemblance to a rabbit, and these parts have the action peculiar to that animal. The singularity of the contrast is particularly remarkable; the animal having the playful tricks of a kitten, while its hind quarters are too clumsy and slow-motioned to correspond with the quick and lively movements of its fore half. In running, it has the action of a kitten with its fore legs, and the hop of a rabbit with its hind. I do not mean to say the separation is as distinctly marked as in the fabled |