There was nothing to see on it, apart from certain fossil shells interesting to men of science.
But the count showed himself wonderfully interested in this extinct and lonely crater in the midst of a sea frequented only by fishing smacks.
Ferragut had also seen, although far off, at the entrance of the harbor of Trapani, the archipelago of the Aegadian Islands where are the great fishing grounds of the tunny.

Once he had disembarked in the island of Pantellaria, situated halfway between Sicily and Africa.

It was a very high, volcanic cone that came up in the midst of the strait and had at its base alkaline lakes, sulphurous fumes, thermal waters, and prehistoric constructions of great stone blocks similar to those in Sardinia and the Balearic Islands.

Boats bound for Tunis and Tripoli used to carry cargoes of raisins, the only export from this ancient Phoenician colony.
Between Pantellaria and Sicily the ocean floor was considerably elevated, having on its back an aquatic layer that in some points was only twelve yards thick.

It was the great shoal called the Aventura, a volcanic swelling, a double submerged island, the submarine pedestal of Sicily.
The ledge of Aventura also appeared to interest the count greatly.
"You certainly know the sea well," he said in an approving tone.
Ferragut was about to go on talking when the two ladies entered with a tray which contained the tea service and various plates of cakes.