MITCHILL ON THE EARTHQUAKES, &C. IN THE AZORES. 325 



the crater, had covered the earth from one foot to four feet in depth, 

 half a league in width, and three in length. Then passing the channel 

 five leagues, had done some injury to the eastern point of Pico. 



The fire of that large crater had nearly subsided; but in the evening 

 preceding their arrival, another, but a smaller, crater had opened, one 

 league north of the large one, and only two leagues from Vellas. 



After taking some refreshment, they visited the second crater, the sul- 

 phureous smoke of which, driven southerly, rendered it impracticable 

 to reach the large one. When they came within a mile of the crater, 

 they found the ground rent in every direction; and on their nearer 

 approach some of the chasms were six feet wide. By leaping over the 

 narrow ones, and making circuits to avoid the larger, they at length 

 arrived within two hundred yards of the spot. It was found to be in 

 the middle of a pasture, distinctly visible at intervals when the dense 

 smoke which swept the earth dispersed a little. The mouth of it was 

 only about fifty yards in circumference. The fire seemed to be strug- 

 gling for vent. The force with which a pale blue flame issued forth 

 resembled a powerful steam engine multiplied a hundred fold. The 

 noise was deafening. The earth, where they stood, had a tremulous 

 motion. The whole island seemed to be convulsed. Horrid blowings 

 were occasionally heard from the bowels of the earth ; and after having 

 remained there about ten minutes, they returned to town, and found the 

 inhabitants had mostly quitted their houses, and remained in the open 

 air, or under tents. They passed the night at Vellas; and the next 

 morning went by water to Ursulina, a small seaport town, two leagues 

 south of Vellas. Here they examined that part of the country which 

 was covered with the cinders before mentioned, and which had turned 

 the most valuable vineyards to a frightful desert. 



On the same day, May 4th, the party returned to Fayal. But on 

 the 5th, and the succeeding days, from twelve to fifteen volcanic open- 



