THE EAllTH ^^ 



usually united, such as arsenic, ciruiabar, bitumen, or vitriol. 

 From the fumes of these, vai-iously combined, and kept inclosed, 

 are produced those various damps, that put on so many dreadful 

 forms, and ai-e usually so fatal. Sometimes these noxious va- 

 pours are perceived by the delightful fragrance of their smell,' 

 somewhat resembling the pea-blossom in bloom, from whence 

 one kind of damp has its name. The miners are not deceived, 

 however, by its flattering appearances ; but as they have thus 

 timely notice of its coming, they avoid it while it continues, 

 which is generally during the whole summer season. Another 

 shows its approach by the burning of the candles, which seem ta 

 collect their flame into a globe of light, and thus gradually lessen, 

 till they are quite extinguished. From this, also, the mineis 

 frequently escape ; however, such as have the misfortune to be 

 caught in it, either swoon away, and are suffocated, or slowly 

 recover in excessive agonies. Here also is a third, called the 

 fulminating damp, much more dangerous than either of the for- 

 mer, as it strikes down all before it like a flash of gunpowder, 

 without giving any warning of its approach. But there is ano- 

 ther, more deadly than all the rest, which is found in those 

 places where the vapour has been long confined, and has been, 

 by some accident, set free. The air rushing out from thence, 

 always goes upon deadly errands : and scarce any escape to des- 

 cribe the symptoms of its operations. 



Some colliers in Scotland, working near an old mine that had 

 been long closed up, happened, inadvertently, to open a hole 

 into it, from the pit where they were then employed. By great 

 good fortune, they at that time perceived their error, and in- 

 stantly fled for their lives. The next day, however, they were 

 resolved to renew their work in the same pit, and eight of them 

 ventured down, without any great apprehensions ; but they had 

 scarcely got to the bottom of the stairs that led to the pit, but, 

 coming within the vapour, they all instantly dropped down dead, 

 as if they had been shot. Amongst these unfortunate poor men, 

 there v/as one whose wife was informediie was stifled in the 

 mine ; and, as he happened to be next the entrance, she so far 

 s-entured down as to see where he lay. As she approached the 

 place, the sight of her husband inspired her with a desire to res- 



1 Phil. Trans, vol.^ii. p. 375. 



