Chapter 23

CHAP. III.Of the Subterraneous Caverns, and the Vulcano’s.

Of the Subterraneous Caverns, and the Vulcano’s.

I shall take notice of the subterraneous Caverns, Grotto’s and Vulcano’s, because they are made an Objection[a]against the present Contrivance andStructure of the Globe. But, if well considered, they will be found to be wise Contrivances of the Creator, serving to great Uses of the Globe, and Ends of God’s Government. Besides many secret, grand Functions and Operations of Nature in the Bowels of the Earth, that in all Probability these Things may minister unto, they are of great Use to the Countries where they are[b]. To instance in the very worst of the Things named,viz.theVulcano’sand ignivomous Mountains; although they are some of the most terrible Shocks of the Globe, and dreadful Scourges of the sinful Inhabitants thereof, and may serve them as Emblems, and Presages of Hell it self; yet even these have their great Uses too, being as Spiracles or Tunnels[c]to the Countries where they are, to vent the Fire and Vapours that would make dismal Havock, and oftentimes actually do so, by dreadful Succussions and Convulsions of the Earth. Nay, if the Hypothesis of a central Fire and Waters be true, these Outletsseem to be of greatest Use to the Peace and Quiet of the terraqueous Globe, in venting the subterraneous Heat and Vapours; which, if pent up, would make dreadful and dangerous Commotions of the Earth and Waters.

It may be then accounted as a special Favour of the divine Providence, as is observed by the Author before praised[d], “That there are scarcely any Countries, that are much annoyed with Earthquakes, that have not one of these fiery Vents. And these, (saith he) are constantly all in Flames whenever any Earthquake happens, they disgorging that Fire, which whilst underneath, was the Cause of the Disaster. Indeed, (saith he,) were it not for theseDiverticula, whereby it thus gaineth anExit, ’twould rage in the Bowels of the Earth much more furiously, and make greater Havock than now it doth. So, that though those Countries, where there are suchVulcano’s, are usually more or less troubled with Earthquakes; yet, were theseVulcano’s wanting, they would be much more annoyed with them than now they are; yea, in all Probability to that Degree, as to render the Earth, for a vast Space around them, perfectly uninhabitable. In one word, (saith he) so beneficial are these to the Territories where they are, that there do not want Instances of some which have been rescued, and wholly delivered from Earthquakes by the breaking forth of a newVulcanothere; this continually discharging that Matter, which being till then barricaded up, and imprisoned in the Bowels of the Earth, was the occasion of very great and frequent Calamities”. Thus far that ingenious Author.

FOOTNOTES:[a]Nemo dixerit terram pulchriorem esse quòd cavernosa sit, quòd dehiscat in multis locis, quòd disrupta caveis & spatiis inanibus; iisque nullo ordine dispositis, nullâ formâ: nec quæ aliud contineant quàm tenebras & sordes; unde graves & pestifera exhalationes, terræ motus,&c.Burnet ubi supr. c. 7.[b]TheZirchnitzerSea inCarniola, is of great Use to the Inhabitants of that Country, by affording them Fish, Fowls, Fodder, Seeds, Deer, Swine, and other Beasts, Carriage for their Goods,&c.Vid.Phil. Trans. Nr. 191, &c. orLowth. Abridg. Vol. 2. p. 306, &c. where you have put together in one View, what is dispersed in divers of theTransactions. This Sea or Lake proceeds from some subterraneous Grotto, or Lake, as is made highly probable by Mr.Valvasor,Ibid.TheGrotto Podpetschiomay be another Instance, that the very subterraneous Lakes may be of Use, even to the Inhabitants of the Surface above: Of which seeLowth. ubi supr. pag. 317.Sturmiusalso may be consulted herein hisPhilos. Eclect. Exercit. 11. de Terræ mot.particularly inChap. 3.some of the most eminent Specus’s are enumerated, and some of their Uses.[c]Crebri specus[remedium]præbent. Præconceptum enim spiritum exhalant: quod in certis notatur oppidis, quæ minùs quatiuntur, crebris ad eluviem cuniculis cavata.Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. 2. cap. 82.[d]Woodward’s Essay,Part 3. Consect. 13.

[a]Nemo dixerit terram pulchriorem esse quòd cavernosa sit, quòd dehiscat in multis locis, quòd disrupta caveis & spatiis inanibus; iisque nullo ordine dispositis, nullâ formâ: nec quæ aliud contineant quàm tenebras & sordes; unde graves & pestifera exhalationes, terræ motus,&c.Burnet ubi supr. c. 7.

[b]TheZirchnitzerSea inCarniola, is of great Use to the Inhabitants of that Country, by affording them Fish, Fowls, Fodder, Seeds, Deer, Swine, and other Beasts, Carriage for their Goods,&c.Vid.Phil. Trans. Nr. 191, &c. orLowth. Abridg. Vol. 2. p. 306, &c. where you have put together in one View, what is dispersed in divers of theTransactions. This Sea or Lake proceeds from some subterraneous Grotto, or Lake, as is made highly probable by Mr.Valvasor,Ibid.TheGrotto Podpetschiomay be another Instance, that the very subterraneous Lakes may be of Use, even to the Inhabitants of the Surface above: Of which seeLowth. ubi supr. pag. 317.Sturmiusalso may be consulted herein hisPhilos. Eclect. Exercit. 11. de Terræ mot.particularly inChap. 3.some of the most eminent Specus’s are enumerated, and some of their Uses.

TheGrotto Podpetschiomay be another Instance, that the very subterraneous Lakes may be of Use, even to the Inhabitants of the Surface above: Of which seeLowth. ubi supr. pag. 317.Sturmiusalso may be consulted herein hisPhilos. Eclect. Exercit. 11. de Terræ mot.particularly inChap. 3.some of the most eminent Specus’s are enumerated, and some of their Uses.

[c]Crebri specus[remedium]præbent. Præconceptum enim spiritum exhalant: quod in certis notatur oppidis, quæ minùs quatiuntur, crebris ad eluviem cuniculis cavata.Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. 2. cap. 82.

[d]Woodward’s Essay,Part 3. Consect. 13.

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