90 MARTIN. 



to observe and appreciate the extent of the destruction caused by the 

 eruption on the mainland by visiting the several barrios, some of which, 

 toward the western side of the island, were wiped out. 



Even on the mainland, I observed that the bark of trees toward the 

 volcano was lacerated and in some cases on exposed plateaus it was 

 entirely eroded by the particles of mud and fine sand blown against it 

 by the force of the emption. Therefore, the wounds found on rescued 

 natives may not have been caused by bums. 



If the force of the blast of mud and sand was such as to wear the bark 

 off of trees and even to shred the wood, the effects on human beings can 

 readily be surmised. Neither Mr. Pratt nor I found signs of burns on 

 the dead bodies, nor indications of fire on the island. The fused surface 

 of a rock, thrown out, was the only thing found that indicated the 

 great heat which, of course, was present somewhere in the depths. 



