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



naval battle that was ever fought ; and he will have a complete descrip- 

 tion of this * awfully sublime' spectacle. 



" This last eruption lasted about six days. When it subsided, and 

 the smoke disappeared, a small island was discovered in that place, 

 composed of rocks cemented together by the lava, similar to that which 

 comes from burning mountains. This island is supposed to be about 

 one mile in circumference, and nearly round; having a large basin of 

 water in the centre, apparently half a mile in circumference. 



" During the continuance of this monstrous effort of nature, nume- 

 rous shocks of earthquakes were felt over the whole island. The only 

 damage done, that we know of, was the overthrow of seven small 

 stone houses on the western part of the island, which were entirely 

 demolished. The occupants were obliged to decamp very suddenly, 

 in order to avoid being buried in the ruins of their habitations. A 

 visit to the new island was contemplated to be made immediately. The 

 result of this visit will, no doubt, prove highly interesting to the philo- 

 sopher, as well as important to the navigator. 



" The impatient curiosity of three gentlemen was very near being 

 paid with the loss of their lives. In attempting a visit previous to the 

 termination of the eruption, they were, notwithstanding their greatest 

 efforts, drawn by an overpowering suction of air about half a mile, 

 as they supposed, into the immense body of surrounding smoke. They 

 remained one hour and a half, much frightened by their perilous situa- 

 tion. When, at length, the glorious light of heaven again shone upon 

 them, they were much surprised to find their faces, hands, clothes, and 

 sails, quite blackened, and the deck of their vessel entirely covered 

 more than an inch with a coarse black cinder like those found in a 

 blacksmith's shop. This new island is in latitude thirty-seven degrees, 

 forty-six minutes, longitude twenty-five degrees, fifty-eight minutes." 





