NOME IV. TUFO. 



vals, and shot forth an abundance of ignited 

 stones; part of which falling back into the 

 crater, seemed to augment the violence of the 

 flame, while the other part rolled to a consider- 

 able distance down the flanks of the cone. 



" The smoke, accumulated at a considerable 

 height, was mingled with flames, which cast a 

 light on objects similar to a weak moon-light ; it 

 occupied a great horizontal extent, above which 

 rose the three columns of fire. Another column 

 of very dense smoke was noticed, proceeding at 

 intervals from a vent in front of the others; it 

 concealed for some instants the centre of explo- 

 sion, and, extending towards the south, united 

 with the other smoke, which,' forming an arch 

 several miles in length, served as a conductor to 

 the electric fires ; its extremity was frequently 

 furrowed by lightning. 



" The height of this column of fire, which Column of fire, 

 continued from eleven o'clock till midnight, seen 

 from Catania, was estimated at half that of the 

 mountain. 



" After the eruption had lasted five hours, 

 the mountain was enveloped in the deepest dark- 

 ness, except the crater, which still emitted 

 flames to the same height as the day before; 

 besides the first, three other currents of lava 

 seemed to be ejected ; one towards the east, and 



