Its situation strikes the mind with horror.

There still remain the hundred mouths by which the gods conveyed their oracles; these are now dumb, and there is only one God who speaks in heaven and on earth.

These uninhabited ruins serve as the resort of birds of unlucky omen.

Not far off is that dreadful cavern which leads, _they say_, to the infernal regions.

Who would believe that, close to the mansions of the dead, Nature should have placed powerful remedies for the preservation of life?
Near Avernus and Acheron are situated that barren land whence rises continually a salutary vapour, which is a cure for several diseases, and those hot-springs that vomit hot and sulphureous cinders.