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way to these molten deposits, and supplying the steam neces- 
sary for their forcible expulsion through these lines of weak- 
ness, and of this latter action there can, I think, be no doubt. 
That earthquakes may be felt and heard over an enormous 
area, was exemplified at the fearful catastrophe at Tomboro, 
where out of a population of 12,000, only 26 were left 
alive. (Lyell). In this instance the sound was heard at 1,000 
miles distance, equivalent to an explosion at Vesuvius being heard 
in Folkestone; and at Java 300 miles away, the sound was so 
loud that the frightened inhabitants rushed out of doors, thinking 
it was an explosion of one of their own numerous volcanoes. The 
eruption of Morne Garau, in St. Vincent, shook an area of 48,000 
square miles, and that of Arica was felt at a distance of nearly 
three-quarters of the circumference of the globe, while the dis- 
astrous earthquake of Lisbon in 1755 was felt over a space four 
times the size of Europe, that is to say, 700,000 square miles. It 
was actually perceptible in Scotland, where Loch Lomond rose two 
feet. These stupendous effects are produced through the medium 
ofthe earth far beneath the surface, solid bodies being much better 
conductors of sound than the air. There must be something pre- 
eminently mysterious and awe-inspiring in an earthquake. The 
rocking of the solid ground gives such a violent shock to the im- 
agination as well as to the body, destroying in an instant the uncon- 
scious confidence we all have in the solidity of the earth, and shatter- 
ing in one moment the convictions of a lifetime (Lyell). The hollow 
and mysterious sounds proceeding from the bowels of the earth have 
also a peculiar effect on the nervous system (Humboldt). The 
feeling too of utter helplessness, the knowledge that no presence 
of mind, no courage, can avail to save, the uncertainty whence or 
where the danger will come, the rocking walls, the self-tolling bells, 
and the dumb agony and terror of the brute creation, all combine 
to complete the horror of the situation. Mr. Coan vividly describes 
a fearful earthquake at Hawaii, In 1868 the great crater of 
Mauna Loa while in full activity suddenly ceased to flow. All 
knew disaster must follow when this vast safety valve was thus 
suddenly closed. Nor were they mistaken, “for on the 27th 
March a series of earthquakes commenced, upwards of 1,000 
shocks occurring in five days. These continued till April 2nd, when 
a most terrific earthquake took place, the earth literally staggered 
like a drunken man. First it swayed to and fro, north and south, 
then east and west, then round and round, and up and down in 
every imaginable direction for several minutes, everything crashing 
down, the trees thrashing as if torn by a mighty rushing wind. 
It was impossible to stand. Men had to sit on the ground, cling- 
ing with hands and feet to keep from rolling over, the ground itself 
