CHAPTER XXXI.
PICERNO AND TITO OVER THE MARMO.
I left for Picerno; the road for about three miles passes on a side cutting half way down the slope of the side of the narrow valley of the Tumo. In the cutting to the left hand (north) I pass repeated alternations of limestones with variegated clay slates in their beds, approaching horizontal, but twisted in every conceivable direction. I can see with the telescope that the opposite side of the valley presents like characters.
Upon the surface, such a conformation must present prodigious obstruction to the propagation of a shock of earthquake passing eastward towards Picerno.
We continued to ascend for several miles (about five), passing over the shoulder of the Monte di Marmo, a huge lumpy and lofty mass, which interposes nearly in the right line between Vietri and Picerno. At 3h 10m, Naples mean time we reached the highest point: the barometer marks 27m 20s, thermo. 38° Fahr., and the reduced level above the sea is 2605·5 feet. The summit of the mountain seems to be nearly 1000 feet above this.
We descend rapidly into the valley of the River Marmo, running nearly due north, and in a nearly straight and
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