300 Supposed Connection of Volcanic Emanations 



great laboratory, which, according to geologists, may occupy 

 an extent commensurate with the globe which we inhabit." * 

 I proceed, therefore, in the last place, to furnish you with a list 

 of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, &c, which have occurred 

 within the last few years, reserving till a future time its con- 

 tinuation and additions; the latter of which are as numerous 

 as the instances cited below ; merely observing, that I pay as 

 much attention to the occurrence of the earthquakes as to the 

 other phenomena, because I believe them to be effects of like 

 causesf, and that it appears unreasonable to suppose that such 

 effects can take place unaccompanied by the discharge of 

 mephitic vapours. I regret that I cannot make this list more 

 perfect; its materials are derived from different sources, and 

 many of these are imperfect in detail : such a list, however, 

 is not uninteresting, independent of any rash or jejune ob- 

 servations deduced from its consideration ; and, as such, it 

 may deserve a place in your journal, even if you reject the 

 prolegomena, especially the idea, that, if a handful of ships 

 engaged in the ignition of gunpowder can produce electrical 

 appearances on a scale called terrible, an infinite number of 

 engines infinitely more powerful than all the artillery of man 

 are able to induce the occurrence of storms to which human 

 means of multiplying atmospherical phenomena must be less 

 than nothing in the scale of equivalents. 



1827. January, Earthquake in Belgium ; great disengagement of elec- 

 tric matter, stated to be the effect, and not the cause, of the phenomena. 

 2d, Earthquake (violent) at Mortagne, Alencon, &c. (France). 



November 16th, Earthquakes at Bogota, emitting sulphureous vapours, 

 and attended by extraordinary rains. 



1828. Earthquake in Belgium, and along the Rhine. This shock was 

 severely felt at Brussels. The mineral springs at Aix la Chapelle and at 



* " It is evident, indeed, that any atmospheric air which may reach the 

 spot at which the volcanic action resides will be deprived of its oxygen by 

 the process ; and that, even at a great distance from the volcano itself, 

 the presence of metallic and other sulphurets will more slowly, though not 

 less certainly, give rise to the same effect." (Daubeny on Volcanoes, 



P- 376 ') 



-j- " Some are unwilling to admit earthquakes as any probable indication 



of subterranean fire, while others not only include these, but go so far as 



to class hot springs, gaseous exhalations, like those of Pietra Mala, and 



the eruptions of mud and petroleum commonly called ' salses,' amongst 



volcanic phenomena. 



" With regard, however, to the first of these, I apprehend that those 



who coolly examine the facts that have been collected on the subject, will 



scarcely entertain any other difference of opinion, than as to whether their 



connection with volcanoes is universal ; for in some instances earthquakes 



have occurred so immediately antecedent upon volcanic eruptions, and are 



so manifestly derived from the very same centre of action, that we want 



no better proof to establish an identity of origin." (Daubeny on Vol* 



canoes, p. 360.) 



