752 JOSE MARIA ARREOLA 



— it is my intention to summarize the condition of the volcano 

 during the past eleven years. In a note entitled " Datos de los 

 temblores, erupciones, lluvias y otros fenomenos observados en 

 Zapotlan," which I sent to the Central Observatory, and which 

 was printed in its Boletifi, in the 3^ear 1894, among other 

 matters, I gave notice of a great eruption in the early days of 

 March, 1892, which produced an abundant fall of dust, carried 

 by a current of air from the southwest. No other notable 

 eruption was observed during that year. In 1893, with the 

 opening of the meteorological observatory of the Seminary of 

 Zapotlan, began systematic and continuous observation of all the 

 manifestations of the volcano, reinforced, from the beginning of 

 1896, by the similar labors of the observatory of the Seminary 

 of Colima. 



Through the whole space of time since, the condition of the 

 volcano and the character of all its manifestations have been 

 noted, day by day. The records of the two stations form an 

 inestimable treasure for science, which before could only deal 

 with isolated data, which were often of uncertain character. By 

 an examination of these records .... it is seen that Colima, 

 during this period of eleven years, has been in a condition of 

 constant, irregular, and feeble activity. 



From a study, presented by Severo Diaz, presbyter, at the 

 Third National Meteorological Congress, in December last, we 

 may summarize this period in the following statement : 



From 1893 to 1898 the volcano continuously emitted thin 

 vapors, forming streaks, varying in direction with the wind, 

 attaining a length of from forty to fifty kilometers, and losing 

 themselves on the horizon. In the midst of this constant, but 

 feeble, activity it was not rare to see, from week to week, an 

 eruption — regular or moderate. 



From 1898 to 1899 this continuous activity was converted 

 into eruptive emission ; during this period about eight little 

 eruptions were often observable in the space of two hours. 



Finally, from the end of 1899 to 1902, the continuous activity 

 gave way completely to eruptive emission. During this period 

 little eruptions were repeated at intervals of three or four hours; 



