DOMAIN XII. VOLCANIC. 



air. There are times when the eruptions are more 

 precipitate and violent : and the stones, describing 

 more divergent rays, are thrown into the sea at a 

 considerable distance. In general the inflamma- 

 tion is more considerable in the winter than in the 

 summer ; and more on the approach, and during 

 the rage, of storms, than iti calm weather. 1 * 



" The author afterwards adds, that ' Stromboli 

 is the only known volcano which has such frequent 

 eruptions. The fermentation of the others in- 

 creases progressively, but here the eruption is con- 

 stant .... and it would seem that it arises from 

 air or inflammable vapours, which suddenly kindle 

 and explode, expelling the stones which impede 

 the vent."t 



Patrin proceeds to argue, on his system, 1, 

 That the eruptions of Stromboli arise from a cause 

 always reproduced, otherwise it would have been 

 exhausted. 2. That the stony masses are instan- 

 taneously formed, by the contact of the air; as 

 magic alone could always supply a like number of 

 stones, and still preserve the precise form of the 

 crater. 3. That the focus is of little depth, as 

 there are no commotions nor subterranean noises, 

 arid the stones diverge; for a cannon scatters 

 grape-shot in proportion to its shortness. 4. That 



* Lipari, 113. t Patrin, Min. v. 228. 



