312 CHILD E CHAP. 



spectacle. By the aid of a glass, dark objects, in constant 

 succession, were seen, in the midst of a great glare of red light, 

 to be thrown up and to fall down. The light was sufficient 

 to cast on the water a long bright reflection. Large masses 

 of molten matter seem very commonly to be cast out of the 

 craters in this part of the Cordillera. I was assured that when 

 the Corcovado is in eruption, great masses are projected 

 upwards and are seen to burst in the air, assuming many 

 fantastical forms, such as trees : their size must be immense, 

 for they can be distinguished from the high land behind S. 



PANORAMIC VIEW OF COAST. 



QUELLAYPO. 



Carlos, which is no less than ninety-three miles from the 

 Corcovado. In the morning the volcano became tranquil. 



I was surprised at hearing afterwards that Aconcagua in 

 Chile, 480 miles northwards, was in action on this same night ; 

 and still more surprised to hear, that the great eruption of 

 Coseguina (2700 miles north of Aconcagua), accompanied by 

 an earthquake felt over 1000 miles, also occurred within six 

 hours of this same time. This coincidence is the more remark- 

 able, as Coseguina had been dormant for twenty-six }'ears : 

 and Aconcagua most rarely shows any signs of action. It is 

 difficult even to conjecture whether, this coincidence was 

 accidental, or shows some subterranean connection. If Vesu- 

 vius, Etna, and Hecla in Iceland (all three relatively nearer 

 each other than the corresponding points in South America), 



