In the Lipari Islands there has prevailed a belief, from the very earliest period of history, that the feeble eruptions of Stromboli are in some way dependent upon the condition of the atmosphere. These islands were known to the ancients as the Æolian Isles, from the fact that they were once ruled over by a king of the name of Æolus. It seems not improbable that Æolus was gifted with natural powers of observation and reasoning far in advance of those of his contemporaries. A careful study of the vapour-cloud which covers Stromboli would certainly afford him information concerning the hygrometric condition of the atmosphere; the form and position assumed by this vapour-cloud would be a no less perfect index of the direction and force of the wind; and, if the popular belief be well founded, the frequence and violence of the explosions taking place from the crater would indicate the barometric pressure. From these data an acute observer would be able to issue 'storm-warnings' and weather-prognostics of considerable value. In the vulgar mind, the idea of the prediction of natural events is closely bound up with that of their production; and the shrewd weather-prophet of Lipari was after his death raised to the rank of a god, and invested with the sovereignty of the winds. Whether the popular idea that the outbursts of Stromboli are regulated by atmospheric conditions has any foundation is still open to grave doubt. It seems to be certain, however, that during autumn and winter the more violent paroxysms of the volcano occur, and that in summer the action which takes place is far more regular and equable. It would be of the greatest benefit to science if an observatory were erected beside the crater of Stromboli, where a careful record might be kept of all atmospheric changes, and of the synchronous manifestations of the volcanic forces.