80 MEMOIR OF 



of them have been formed at a very remote period, 

 and are covered with the vegetation cf many ages ; 

 hut the indications and remains of their former 

 irruptions are numerous and unequivocal. The 

 craters of several are completely extinct ; those of 

 others contain small apertures, which continually 

 discharge sulphurous vapours or smoke. Many of 

 them have had irruptions during late years, of 

 which an interesting account has been given in the 

 Batavian Transactions, by Dr. Horsfield, who ex- 

 amined them. 



One of the most disastrous of these on record, 

 was that of the Papandayang, the greater part of 

 which was swallowed up in the earth, together with 

 an immense number of people, after a short but 

 severe combustion, in the year 1 772. " The account 

 (says Dr. Horsfield) which has remained of this 

 event asserts, that near midnight, between the llth 

 and 12th of August, there was observed about the 

 mountain an uncommonly luminous cloud, by which 

 it appeared to be completely enveloped. The in- 

 habitants about the foot, as well as on the declivities 

 of the mountain, alarmed by this appearance, be- 

 took themselves to flight; but before they could 

 all save themselves, the mountain began to give 

 way, and the greatest part of it actually fell in and 

 disappeared. At the same time a tremendous noise 

 was heard, resembling the discharge of the heaviest 

 cannon. Immense quantities of volcanic substances, 

 which were thrown out at the same time and spread 



