VIII.] THE EBUPTIONS OF 18SS. 171 



interesting information respecting volcanic disturbances in tliat region. The 

 particulars given, taken in connection with the recent volcanic eruptions in 

 Java, seem to indicate that the active agency extended over an immense area. 

 The disturbance of Mount Krakatau began early in August last, culminating 

 on the 26th. At the beginning of July a cone, from 8000 to 10,000 feet 

 high by estimation, not marked on the chart, but situate near the Kamschatka 

 River, supposed to be inactive if not entirely extinct, suddenly split in two, 

 emitting immense quantities of lava, which poured down its slopes. This 

 phenomenon was not, however, accompanied by any very great local disturb- 

 ance. IMount Siveluch (of Keith Johnston's map), the highest peak of the 

 Kamschatkan range, 17,000 feet high, was in active eruption throughout the 

 whole month of July, the pillar of flame in calm weather being distinctly 

 \-i8ible at distances of from 200 to 250 miles ; giving, after allowance for 

 refraction, an altitude above the summit of the cone of 8000 to 10,000 feet. 

 "When the air was still, smoke, steam, etc., rose vertically to an elevation of 

 15,000 feet, where, meeting with a northerly air current, it abruptly took, 

 at right angles, a southerly direction in a thin direct line. Captain Hubbard, 

 of the JI.B.S.S. Toxjosliimamaru, recently described an eruj)tion which took 

 place at Shibotaru, one of the Kuriles, in the early part of June last. A copy 

 of his letter addressed to Professor John Milne was, by the kindness of the 

 latter, published in the 'Japan Gazette' of 30th June. Mr. Green further states 

 that in April last the ice in the neighbourhood of the Kuriles was discoloured 

 with volcanic ashes for miles in every direction, indicative of eruptions of 

 unusual A'iolence, probably in the north, but of which we have no note. Mr. 

 Green was enabled to make some very interesting observations on cloud 

 formations in the vicinity of the Kronotsky Peak. He describes this as, 

 perhaps, the most perfect cone in the world, because it tapers to a fine point, 

 and is of greater elevation than Fujiyama. At 2 a.m. to sunrise it would 

 show perfectly clear and distinct from the sea like an unplumed cocked-hat. 

 As the sun rose the snow would soften, evaporation no doubt begin, and 

 mists would slowly gather around the summit, gi'^'ing the mountain the 

 appearance of a gigantic plumed field-marshal's cocked-hat. At daylight 

 on the next morning there was not a vestige of the plume, Ijut the process 

 of its formation proceeded with unvarying regularity. This information 

 will probably attract the attention of the Seismological Society. There 

 certainly now seems an opportunity rarely offering for collecting and 

 digesting the data respecting recent volcanic disturbances which should be 

 availed of."^ 



^ The above paragraph needs explanation. What the " cone not marked on the 

 charts, but situated near the Kanaschatka River" may be it is impossible to say, but 



