AiPEN'DAGB TO THE VOLCANIC. 



adjoining this ravine of fire, some substances 

 collected in tolerably large heaps, boiled up, hav- 

 ing the appearance of a brilliant metallisation, 

 coloured like that kind of copper called rosette. 

 However difficult the access to those places 

 where I remarked these frothy scorifications, I 

 contrived, with my cane, to get by a little at a 

 time, from the hottest parts, some fine pieces, 

 to bring them within reach, and to take them 

 away when perfectly cooled. 



" The direction of the wind, then correspond- 

 ing with the aperture of this magnificent preci- 

 pice, was very favourable to enable the eye to 

 examine the extent of the gulf. The external 

 air, agitated by the wind, penetrated into it, su- 

 perficially acting on the flame, and by directing 

 it like a wave, to the other extremity of the burn- 

 ing ravine, where it became turbulent, and roar- 

 ing, even in the interior*, afforded the facility of 

 observing a deep and void space, a superb fire, 

 gentle and quiet in one part, undulating in an- 

 other, presenting only a bright red, such as is 

 perceivable in a glass-house. 



" The idea which suggested itself at the sight 



* " Which brought to my recollection, what is said by the inha- 

 bitants in the neighbourhood of the plain of Dysert Moor, in Scot- 

 land j they pretend that, at certain times, they hear murinurings 

 and whistlings in the holes and caverns. Art d! exploiter les mines 

 de charlon, p. 36." 



