656 



THE UNIVERSE. 



great part of Catania, and only stayed its passage when 

 it plunged into the sea amidst a most tumultuous struggle 

 between the waves and fire. 



Notwithstanding its smaller proportions Vesuvius has 

 experienced fearful eruptions. One is especially cele- 

 brated for the destruction of two rich and important cities 





298. The Crater of Etna. 



which rose on its sides, Herculaneum and Pompeii. The 

 former was in part invaded by a lava stream, the second 

 absolutely buried under a prodigious mass of ashes. This 

 eruption took place in the year 79, and possibly attracted 

 more notice from having been the cause of the death of 

 the naturalist Pliny than for the ravages it produced. 



In our time Vesuvius, in its throes, has produced lava 

 floods which have annihilated some small towns. In 1794 

 its burning waves submerged all the habitations in Torre 

 del Greco, rising above their roofs. Recently again the 



