SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 81 



in every direction, propagated the effects of the 

 explosion through the space of many miles. It is 

 estimated that in extent of ground, of the moun- 

 tain itself and its immediate environs, fifteen miles 

 long and full six broad, ^w r as by this commotion 

 swallowed up in the bowels of the earth. Several 

 persons sent to examine the condition of the neigh- 

 bourhood, made report that they found it impossible 

 to approach the mountain, on account of the heat of 

 the substances which covered its circumference, and 

 which were piled on each other to the height of 

 three feet, although this was the 24th of September, 

 full six w r eeks after the catastrophe. It is also 

 mentioned that forty villages, partly swallowed up 

 by the ground, and partly buried by the substance 

 thrown out, were destroyed on this occasion ; and 

 that 2957 of the inhabitants perished. A pro- 

 portionate number of cattle was also destroyed; 

 arid most of the plantations of cotton, indigo, and 

 coffee, in the adjacent districts, were buried under 

 the volcanic matter. The effects of that explosion 

 are still very apparent in the remains of this 

 volcano." 



Alluvial districts, evidently of recent origin, are 

 noticed in several parts of the island. These are 

 formed from the sediment, and near the discharge 

 of large rivers, and at the border of the calcareous 

 ridges, which are in many instances partially ruined 

 by them ; their boundary can easily be traced, and 

 most of them are in a state of constant progres- 



VOL. VIII. F 



