ARTIFICIAL RAINS, 501 



fire, which first made their appearance, at the baths. Then 

 extending towards Trepergule, and fixing in the little valley 

 that lies between the Monte Barbaro and the hillock called 

 del Pericolo, which was the road to the lake of Avernus 

 and the baths. In a short time the fire increased to such a 

 degree, that it burst open the earth in this place, and threw 

 up so great a quantity of ashes and pumice stones, mixed 

 with water, as covered the whole country, and in Naples a 

 shower of these ashes and water fell a great part of the 

 night. The next morning, which was Monday, and the 

 last of the month, the poor inhabitants of Pozzuolo, struck 

 with so horrible a sight, quitted their habitations, covered 

 with that muddy and black shower, which continued in 

 that country the whole day, flying death, but with faces 

 painted with its colors; some with sacks full of their 

 goods, others leading an ass loaded with their frightened 

 family towards Naples ; others carrying quantities of birds 

 of various sorts that had fallen dead at the time the erup- 

 tion began ; others again with fish which they had found, 

 and were to be met with in plenty upon the shore, the sea 

 having been at that time considerably dried up. Don Petro 

 di Toledo, viceroy of the kindgom, with many gentlemen, 

 went to see so wonderful an appearance; I also, having met 

 with the most honorable and incomparable gentleman, 

 Signior Fabritio Moramaldo, on the road, went and saw 

 the eruption and the many wonderful effects of it. The sea 

 towards Baia had retired a considerable way; though from 

 the quantity of ashes and broken pumice stones thrown 

 up by the eruption, it appeared almost totally dry. I saw, 

 likewise, two springs in those lately discovered ruins, one 

 before the house which was the queen's, of hot and salt 

 water; the other of fresh and cold water, on the shore, 

 about 250 paces nearer to the eruption: some say, that 

 still nearer to the spot where the eruption happened, a stream 

 of fresh water issued forth like a little river. 1 Turning to- 



1 See Section IX. ; for explanation. 



