IN THE PACIFIC. 167 



besides being partially ruined every ninth year ; 

 the last time it was destroyed was in 1854, and 

 now again in 1873. The ground on which the 

 city is built is a mere shell, and produces a 

 hollow sound when struck by a heavy object ; it 

 is said that the Indians would never build on 

 that site, and it is certainly tempting Providence 

 to do so. San Salvador has no less than seven 

 volcanoes within a radius of thirty miles of it ; 

 the mountain of Ysalco was in full blast during 

 this time, but the suppressed volcano of St. 

 Thomas was supposed to be the one which did 

 the mischief. 



The effect produced upon the nervous system 

 by these constant shocks was such that several 

 persons became insane, and upon animals and 

 birds it was remarkable; many horses and 

 mules were rendered useless from fright, and 

 trembled at the slightest sound; at every shock 

 cocks crowed, and pigeons left their resting- 

 places and wheeled wildly in the air. 



During these calamities considerable sym- 

 pathy was shown for the poor Salvadorians 



