1824.] Volcanos at present in Activity. 209 



Twtguragua made an explosion in 1641. 



Sangay has remained constantly burning ever since the year 

 1728. 



Chimborazo does not appear in the list; for although no one 

 disputes its volcanic nature, no account of its eruption has been 

 preserved. The case is the same with Carguairazo. The inun- 

 dation of mud which in 1698 covered 18 square leagues of land 

 was not the effect of an eruption, properly so called. When 

 Carguairazo fell, the waters which it concealed in its bosom were 

 precipitated impetuously into the plain, and occasioned the dis- 

 asters mentioned by the historians of America. 



There are in some maps of Chili more volcanos marked than I 

 have placed in the catalogue; but I felt it proper to confine 

 myself to what appeared to me to be most certain ; and I ought 

 further to add, that of the sixteen volcanos of this country whose 

 names have been given, several are now probably extinct. 

 Peteroa made an eruption in 1762 ; Villa-Rica in 1640, &c. 



In looking at the coast of America, it will undoubtedly have 

 occasioned surprise to find no volcano, either between the 2d 

 and 16th degree of south latitude, or between the 17th and 27th 

 degree. If the volcano of Arequipa did not exist, the range of 

 Guatimala and Nicaragua, the groups of Popayan and los Pastos 

 would be separated from the long track of Chili, by a space of 

 25° of latitude, totally without volcanos. Although Peru con- 

 tains only one volcano, there are i'ew countries in the world 

 where earthquakes are more severely felt, and where they make 

 greater devastation. They frequently occasion the formation of 

 immense fissures, over which bridges are built to preserve com- 

 munication between different provinces. One of these fissures, 

 after the earthquake of 1 746, was a league in length, and nearly 

 seven feet wide. 



The volcano of the island of St. Vincent ejected lavas in 1718 

 and 1812. The ashes of the latter eruption were carried by the 

 upper counter current of the trade winds, to the island of Barba- 

 does, 30 leagues to the west. 



At St. Lucia, there is a continual formation of sulphur, occa- 

 sioned by the condensation of the vapouis, which rise from the 

 crater called Oua/ibou, at a height of 1200 to 1800 feet. Jets of 

 hot water are also observed there. 



The volcano of Guadaloupe, at a height of about 4,800 feet, 

 made its last eruption in 1797. It then ejected pumice, ashes, 

 and clouds of sulphureous vapours. 



I shall conclude these notices relative to the volcanos of 

 America, by remarking, that no active volcanos occur either at 

 Buenos Ayres, at Brazil, Guyana, or on the coast of Venezuela, 

 or in the United States ; that is to say, at any point of the coast 

 to the east of this great continent. '1 here exist to the east of the 

 Andes only three small volcanos situate near the sources of the 



\ew Series, vol. vn. p 



