Volcanoes. 269 



was so heavy, that the houses were considerably damaged, 

 and in many instances rendered uninhabitable. In Java, 300 

 miles distant, the detonations were so distinct, and so much 

 resembled the discharge of artillery, that a detachment of 

 soldiers were marched from Djocjocarta, under a supposition 

 that there was an attack upon a neighbouring military post ; 

 and on the sea shore they were mistaken for the guns of a 

 vessel in distress, and boats were in two instances sent to give 

 relief. 



On the 6th the sun was obscured, the atmosphere became 

 close and sultry, and every phenomenon, even at this distance, 

 seemed to foretell an approaching earthquake. On the 10th 

 the noises were louder ; and at Sumanap and Banynwangi the 

 earth was shaken violently by them. Gresie and other dis- 

 tricts more eastward were enveloped, during the greater part 

 of the t2th of April, in indescribable darkness; but as the 

 clouds of ashes passed over, discharging themselves on their 

 way, light returned ; but it was not till the 1 7th, when a heavy 

 shower of rain fell, that the atmosphere was cleared of its 

 clouds of heated vapour and sand. The ashes were 9 in. deep 

 at Banynwangi. 



This eruption of Tomboro was heard at Sumatra, 970 miles 

 distant, and indeed in the whole of the Molucca Islands. But 

 so dreadful were its effects along the north and west of the 

 peninsula, that but one solitary vestige of vegetable life was 

 preserved, and the famine which followed at Sangar was 

 hardly less dreadful in its effects than the burning lava. 



These two instances of eruption from aerial volcanoes in 

 the phase of prolonged intermittences would perhaps be 

 sufficient to give a general notion of the phenomena which 

 attend their activity ; but as a far more definite opinion of 

 their extensive effects may be obtained from the detail of 

 particular instances than a mere enumeration of general 

 results, we may, perhaps, be allowed if we introduce one 

 other example. 



The volcano of Jorullo is situated between Colima and 

 the city of Mexico, Previously to the year 1 759, the space 

 which is now occupied by the mountain was a cultivated 

 plain, though composed of ancient volcanic rocks, and con- 

 sequently subject to igneous action. But in the traditions 

 of the inhabitants we gain no information concerning the 

 time of its formation. 



In June, 1759, loud rumbling sounds were heard, and 

 frequent earthquakes succeeded, which continued nearly two 

 months, but in the early part of September had entirely 

 <lied away, and tranquillity seemed to have been restored. 



