556 DOMAIN XII. VOLCANIC. 



Santorini, a meteor not unlike a fiery sword, and 

 which served to increase the consternation of the 

 inhabitants. 



" On the 9th of September, the White and 

 Black Islands united, after which the western end 

 of the island daily increased. There were now 

 only four openings that emitted flames, which 

 issued forth with great impetuosity, sometimes at- 

 tended with noise like that of a large organ-pipe, 

 and sometimes like the howling of wild-beasts. On 

 the 12th, the subterraneous noise became much 

 augmented, having never been so frequent or so 

 dreadful as on that and the following day. The 

 bursts of this subterranean thunder, like a general 

 discharge of the artillery of an army, were re- 

 peated ten or twelve times within twenty-four 

 hours ; and immediately after each clap, the large 

 furnace threw up huge red-hot stones, which fell 

 into the sea at a great distance. These claps 

 were always followed by a thick smoke, which 

 spread clouds of ashes over the sea, and the 

 neighbouring islands. 



" On the 18th of September, an earthquake 

 was felt at Santorini, but did no great damage, 

 though it considerably enlarged the burning island, 

 and in several new places gave vent to the fire and 

 smoke. The claps were also more terrible than 

 ever, and in the midst of a thick smoke that ap- 



