§ 11. 



HERCULANEUM AND POMPEII. 



823 



by the descent of this overwhelming cloud of volcanic 

 matter, which completed the destruction of the devoted 

 cities, and buried Hercnlaneum, Pompeii, and Stabise, 



Ligk. IS5. — View of Vesuvius, looking over the plain and cita - 

 of Pompeii. 



The site of Pompeii is marked by the long line of embankments in the middle 

 distance, formed by the ashes thrown out of the excavations. The river Sarnus 

 is seen on the left. 



(From Sir W. GeU's Pumpeiana.) 



beneath an accumulation of ashes, cinders, and scoriae, to a 

 depth of from sixty to one hundred and twenty feet. 



No traces have been perceived of lava currents or of 



cally from Vesuvius, and which spread itself out laterally, so as to 

 resemble the head and trunk of the Italian pine-tree. This black 

 cloud was occasionally pierced by flashes of fire as vivid as lightning, 

 and the whole atmosphere suddenly became darker than night. The 

 eruption burst forth with such amazing force, that ashes fell even 

 upon the ships at Misenum, and in such quantities as to cause a shoal in 

 one part of the neighbouring sea. In the meantime, the ground rocked 

 terribly ; and the sea receded so far from the shore, that many marine 

 animals were left exposed on the dry sand. 



