240 On the Connexion between 
quakes on the edges of the craters of Vesuvius, and Pichincha, 
near Quito, on each occasion from 20 to 80 seconds before 
the burning scoria or gases were erupted ; the intensity of 
the shocks increasing in proportion to the time intervening 
between them, and consequently to the length of time in 
which the vapours were accumulating. During the eruption 
at Cape Hekla in 1821, frequent small shocks took place 
near the volcano, which were imperceptible at Reikiavig, 74 
miles distant. 
Several eruptions of flame, &c., were reported to have been 
observed in New Zealand in October 1848; but little credit 
was given to such reports, which evidently tended to increase 
alarm, and so to injure the colony. The meteorological phe- 
nomena, however, are happily independent of political bias, 
and clearly indicate a series of volcanic paroxysms, which is 
rendered highly probable by the nature of the locality of 
which this description is given :—“ Across the centre of this 
island is a chain of volcanic disturbance in constant activity. 
It commences at Tongariro, a conical mountain about 10,000 
feet high, visible from Wanganui and from Cook's Straits, 
which continually emits jets of steam and smoke. In 
January, 1845, Te Heu Heu told me that it was throwing 
out flame. From Tongariro, the chain extends along a line 
of lakes, hot springs, fissures, and steam jets of a very 
remarkable character, to the Bay of Plenty, where White 
Island is an active volcano, the crater being near the water's 
edge. This last I have seen. ‘The direction from Tongariro 
to White Island is about N.E. Some of the hot springs 
must exist under pressure, for their temperature is 216° at 
the surface. Some of the mud jets are at the boiling point. 
One of the lakes is called Roto Mahame, or warm lake. 
Underground noises are continually heard: new openings — 
occur from time to time, and extensive land slips are not 
