142 



THE CHEMISTRY OF CREATION. 



frequently without giving the least intimation 

 beforehand, are probably also of chemical origin. 

 The mud it appears difficult to account for, 

 but the cause of the overflow is probably the 

 elastic pressure of gases acting beneath the 

 surface. They are commonly at first preceded 

 by violent explosions and flames, but after- 



AIB VOLCANOS. 



wards the mud is cold, so that its source is 

 probably at no great distance from the surface. 

 The eruption of the mud volcano of Galungung 

 in 1822 was among the most fatal catastrophes 

 of this kind ever recorded. Without warning, 



