TUMAVOLS. 557 



of this object, of diversifying it, of changing the 

 action of the fire, by throwing different things 

 into the precipice, which sometimes seemed lost 

 in an instant, afforded a kind of amusement, not 

 unworthy a naturalist. Stones thrown bound- 

 ing into this furnace, produced flaming eruptions 

 with sparkling, even with a detonation, and cre- 

 ated as it were little tempests, which gave a 

 kind of diversion, which might be renewed as 

 often as the shock repeated in the chambers of 

 fire had neither destroyed nor overwhelmed them. 

 Jf it was possible to approach these furnaces with 

 safety, and without danger throw in large masses 

 of any substance whatever, so as suddenly to 

 compress the fire within* there is no doubt, but 

 one would see a real brisk explosion*. 



" The singularity of the sight, of which I 

 have endeavoured to give a sketch, would com- 

 pletely satisfy the most indifferent traveller; it 



* "That related by M. 1 'abbe Marie, probably had no other cause 

 ithan the detachment of a considerable part of the earth within. M. 

 Laurens, curate of Albin, informed me, that in September last, this 

 mountain in the night had made a considerable explosion. The 

 noise which accompanied it, was like that of a cannon, the ground 



f the vicinity, to a considerable distance, was next morning found 

 Covered with stones thrown up by this eruption; the quantity was 

 observed, and was estimated at 200 cart loads. The surface of the 



lill also showed by its alteration, the conflict within j all which wa* 

 caused by a current of water, which had been injudiciously intro* 

 iuced, with a view to extinguish the burning of the mountain." 



