164 
A very different voleano to the last is Vesuvius, a well 
known name, but probably its history may not be altogether 
familiar. It is a type of volcano which has several times 
assumed a state of quietude, and been regarded as a harm- 
less mountain, and has again burst into activity. It is im- 
possible to say when Vesuvius, or rather the original crater 
Monte Somma, first became active, as it was prior to the 
historic period. One of the earliest references to the mountain 
is by the ancient historian Strabo,* in which it is referred to 
as surrounded on all sides by fields, except on the summit, 
which was, in a great measure, flat but barren and desolate. 
This was probably the appearance of Monte Somma previous 
to the year 79 a.p. Im the year 63 a.p., the inhabitants 
of Pompeii, and other cities and towns situated in the neigh- 
bourhood of the mountain, experienced earthquake shocks 
which did considerable damage, and finally culminated in the 
historic bursting forth of the apparently harmless and fertile 
mountain into an active voleano in the year 79 a.p. On this 
occasion a new crater formed inside that of Monte Somma, and 
it is this new crater which takes the name of Vesuvius. Upon 
the history of that great eruption I need not enter, it is 
familiar to most people. Nor can I relate the history of the 
subsequent eruptions, but the following table will illustrate the 
character of the volcano. 
DATES OF ERUPTIONS OF VESUVIUS AND INTERVALS OF REPOSE.Tt 
79 993 1500 1697 
203 1049 1631 1698 
472 1138 1660 
512 1139 1682 
685 1306 1694 
From the year 1698 to the present the intervals of repose 
have been less lasting. Highteen occurred in a little more 
than a century, several extending over a period of four and 
five years. 
* Strabo, ed. Falc., vol. i., p. 355. 
+ Compiled from Daubeny’s “ Volcanoes.” 
