On the Production of Flames in Volcanoes. 233 



I forbear to quote in this place passages from more ancient authors. 

 It is true that many of them, in describing volcanic phenomena, some- 

 times mention fiumes ; but it is evident that they paid no particular atten- 

 tion to this phenomenon, and did not distinguish it from the luminous 

 reflection produced by the burning substances. 



We perceive, therefore, that geologists, up to the present time, have 

 been of opinion that volcanic eruptions have never been accompanied 

 with flames. This opinion, however, is altogether erroneous. At least, 

 I think that I am entitled to make this affirmation positively in reference 

 to Vesuvius. 



Let us commence by stating the facts which may support this general 

 proposition. Of all the phenomena which I have had occasion to observe 

 in regard to Vesuvius for twelve years, I consider those which I am 

 about to notice, and an acquaintance with which I owe to a fortunate 

 accident, as the most important. 



On the night of the 2d June 1833, I was within the crater of Vesuvius, 

 in order to observe the phenomena of an eruption, which was approach- 

 ing its close. In the centre of the crater there was one of those cones 

 of scoriae which are formed and disappear with such marvellous rapidity ; 

 it was the largest cone I had ever observed, so much so, that it might 

 have been called the little Monte Nvovo. There was a large funnel- 

 shaped aperture on its summit, through which the explosions took 

 place. At the moment of which I speak, these had become less frequent, 

 and succeeded each other at intervals of from three to four minutes. 

 This circumstance made me desirous to mount upon the cone, in order 

 to observe the great phenomenon of explosions, which I never before had 

 it in my power to do near at hand, and immediately over the opening. 

 I had frequently, indeed, observed eruptions from the summit of la 

 Punta del Palo ; but the distance from the proper opening, or what may 

 be called the air-hole of the volcano, the walls of scoriae with which it 

 is usually surrounded during eruptions, the smoke, the ejection of 

 stones, and other circumstances, had always prevented me seeing dis- 

 tinctly what was going on in the volcanic orifice. At the moment of 

 explosion I ascended to the edge of the cone, along with my courageous 

 guide, who shared in my curiosity to observe the appearances. The in- 

 terior of the opening was almost entirely free from smoke ; a small 

 quantity only issued from different points in the walls. This fortunate 

 circumstance enabled me to see very distinctly all the parts of the crater, 

 and everything that was going on there. The bottom of the funnel was 

 open ; it lay immediately under my eyes, at a depth of about eighty 

 metres ; its circumference was nearly twenty j'ards ; the whole of its 

 burning interior was visible. The view of the phenomena which accom- 

 panied the explosions was inexpressibly magnificent. They consisted of 

 the following : 



A loud subterranean noise, and a violent shock, announced the explo- 

 sion ; immediately after, and almost at the same time, the mouth opened 



VOL. XXXVI. NO. LXXII. APRIL 1844. Q 



