VOt. XLVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 16Q 



round shield of metal, 2 metal dishes, several lachrymatories of glass, others of 

 earth ; 4 large candlesticks of bronze, a large, metal vase with a handle ; many 

 others of earth, curiously wrought ; the foot of a lion most curious, but in 

 marble, and which supported a marble table ; a beautiful mascharron of metal, 

 having the face of a cat, with a mouse in her mouth. There is also a very fine 

 medallion, extremely well preserved, with a bas relief on both sides ; on one is a 

 woman, near whom is a man naked killing a hog ; on the reverse is an old man, 

 naked to his waist, sitting and playing on 2 pipes, which he holds in his hands. 

 There is also another odd piece in bas relief, which represents a green parrot, 

 drawn in a chariot, and driven by a green grasshopper, which sits on the box, as 

 coachman. There are many baskets and cases full of diftbrent things, all jumbled 

 together ; such as kitchen utensils, locks, bolts, rings, hinges, and all of brass. 

 Things, that were of iron, were totally eaten up with rust. When the workmen 

 came to any thing of that sort, it mouldered to dust as soon as they touched it ; 

 occasioned doubtless by the dampness of the earth, and the many ages during 

 which it lay buried. There were found many vases, and crystal bottles full of 

 water ; but that might penetrate through the earth, and fall into them, if not 

 close stopped : also a sort of standish, or inkhorn, in which were found many 

 stylets or pens, with which they wrote in those days. When it was first taken 

 out, they say the ink had not only its natural colour, but that it was yet capable 

 of tinging : it is very dry now. There were eggs found quite whole, but empty ; 

 also nuts and almonds ; grain of several sorts, beans and pease, burnt quite 

 black. Many other sorts of fruit were found burnt quite to a coal, but whole 

 and entire. - 



Mr. F. declares that he cannot be of the opinion of some, who assert that this 

 city was suddenly swallowed up, which implies that the earth must have opened, 

 and formed a pit to receive it. His opinion is, that it was overwhelmed with the 

 boiling matter issuing from the mountain, at the time of the eruption ; because 

 most things were found upright, chiefly the buildings. That it was not a sudden 

 overwhelming, and that the inhabitants had time to escape with their lives, 

 though not with their goods, is proved, by their not finding dead bodies, where 

 they have hitherto dug. It is said that some human bones were found, though 

 few. Very little money or plate has been found, or any other portable thing of 

 great value ; which is another proof that the inhabitants were not destroyed. 

 Doubtless before the violent eruption came on, the people for some days might 

 perceive such tokens and signs, as could not but alarm them, and put them on 

 their guard ; as at the eruption which happened in 1737, before it burst forth for 

 some days, the inhabitants of Portici, and the adjacent villages, all retired ; 

 being by some signs apprised of the event. 



The matter (called the lava) it seems is not of the same quality nor substance 



VOL. X. Zf "•'{ J«i*i-* i 



