VOL. L.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 237 



many pugillaries, styles, and stands with ink in them as formerly mentioned ; 

 at length, in the month of August, on opening a small box, was also found the 

 instrument with which they used to write their manuscripts. It is made of wood, 

 of an oblong form, but petrified, and broken into 2 pieces. There is no slit in 

 it, that being unnecessary, as the ancients did not join their letters in the man- 

 ner we do, but wrote them separate. 



In September were discovered 8 marble busts, in the form of terms. One of 

 these represents Vitellius, another Archimedes ; and both are of the finest 

 workmanship. The following characters in a black tint, are still legible on the 

 latter, namely, APXlMil;", which is all the inscription that now remains. In 

 October was dug up a curious bust of a young person, who has a helmet on his 

 head adorned with a civic crown, and cheek-pieces fastened under his chin. Also 

 another very fine bust of a philosopher with a beard, and short thick hair, having 

 a slight drapery on his left shoulder. Likewise two female busts ; one unknown, 

 in a veil ; the other Minerva, with a helmet ; both of middling workmanship. 

 In November we met with two busts of philosophers of excellent workmanship, 

 and, as may be easily perceived, of the same artist ; but unfortunately, like 

 many others, without names. In January was found a small but most beautiful 

 eagle, in bronze. It has silver eyes, perches on a prafericulum, and holds a 

 fawn between its talons. In the same month was discovered at Stabiae, a term 6 

 palms high, on which is a head of Plato, in the finest preservation, and per- 

 formed in a very masterly manner. Also divers vases, instruments for sacrificing, 

 scales, balances, weights, and other implements for domestic uses, all in bronze. 



Having finished the examination and arrangement of the scales, balances, 

 and weights, which were very numerous in the museum ; it was remarkable that 

 many of the former, with all the weights, exactly answer those now in use at 

 Naples. 



The whole day and night of the 24th of last month it seemed as if Mount 

 Vesuvius would again have swallowed up this country. On that day it suffered 2 

 internal fractures, which entirely changed its appearance within the crater, de- 

 stroying the little mountain that had been forming within it for some years, and 

 was risen above the sides ; and throwing up by violent explosions, immense 

 quantities of stones, lava, ashes, and fire. At night the flames burst out with 

 greater vehemence, the explosions were more frequent and horrible, and our 

 houses shook continually. Many fled to Naples, and the boldest persons 

 trembled. But the mountain having vented itself that night and the succeeding 

 day, is since become calm, and throws out only a few ashes. 



