On the Nexo Insular Volcano, named Hotham Island. 367 



lowing account of it : ' On the 1 3th instant, about two oVlock 

 p. M,, being between Sciacca and Pantellaria, twenty-five miles 

 to the southward of Sciacca, we discovered three columns of 

 smoke, apparently issuing from the sea, which cannot but be 

 considered as a new volcano. On approaching it we heard a 

 great noise, like the rolling of the wheels of a steam-vessel. In 

 consequence of the continuance of calm weather, we remained 

 in that vicinity for three days, during which we constantly ob- 

 served the same appearance, and heard the same noise ; and we 

 only lost sight of it when about fifteen miles to the north-east 

 of Gozo.' Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham immediately sent 

 off the tender of the flag-ship, commanded by one of the lieute- 

 nants, and afterwax'ds sent the Philomel, commanded by Cap- 

 tain Smith, to examine and ascertain the exact position of the 

 new volcano. Several other vessels, with a number of passen- 

 gers, are preparing for an excursion to it. You may easily 

 conceive how exceedingly disappointed I am at not being able 

 to visit it, being obliged to set sail to-morrow for Alexandria." 



" P. S. — Since closing my letter, I have received the annexed 

 sketch of the volcano (PI. VI), brought by the Philomel, which 

 has just returned. It has been named Hotham Mand, in ho- 

 nour of Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham. It is completely- 

 circular, with an opening in the one side, which admits the sea, 

 and which is indicated in the drawing. The highest point of 

 the island was found to be eighty feet above the level of the 

 sea, and the circumference three-quarters of a mile." 



" Report of Commander C H. SifiNBURXE, of his Majesty's Ship 

 Rapid, to Vice-Admiral the Honourable Sir Henry Hotham 

 K. C B. 



His Majesty's Sloop Rapid, at Malta, 

 « SiK, July 23. 1831. 



" I have the honour to inform you that, on the 18th of July 

 1831, at 4. p. M., the town of Marsala bearing by compass E. 

 half N. nine miles, I observed from on board his Majesty's sloop 

 Rapid, under my command, a highly irregular column of very 

 white smoke or steam, bearing S. by E. I steered for it, and 

 continued to do so till 8" 15"* i'. m., when having gone about 



