No. 445-] ERUPTION OF MOCXT PEl.E 



same direction as the upper vents ; behind them is a hi^^h cUff 

 which forms the right side of the ravine they occupy. The 

 first is at the same time the lowest and smallest ; its diameter is 

 0.60 meter to 0.70, and its depth about 0.30 m. The bottom is 

 covered with a reddish ferruginous sand and the rocks there- 

 abouts are brownish and tumbled in cli.sordcr. doubtless the 

 product of the eruption. 'J'he ravine has been deeply e.\ca\aled 

 by water which has removed the greater part of the soil and left 

 only denuded rocks. The different openings are on a rather 

 steep slope. The tenth which is the highest of all is also the 

 widest and deepest ; it is four meters long and a meter and a 

 half wide. Above there is a tree supported by its denuded 

 roots ; this vent is quite deep and appears to contain water still, 

 but a line forty feet long failed to reach the bottom ; the third 

 opening, counting from below, is also of elongate shape ; it is 

 not remarkable except that it is half covered b)- a boulder which 

 has not been displaced. There are also some plants which ha\ e 

 not been totally destroyed and their roots hang denutled in the 

 opening. The bottom of this cavity is. like that of the other, 

 covered by sediment colored with iron oxides. An elevation 

 taken at half past three in the afternoon in the middle of these 

 small openings gave 816 meters above the sea. The thermom- 

 eter gave 20.5° in the air and 23.5" in the soil ; much rain fell on 

 that day. 



In returning to the habitation Ruffin and ])assing the Morne 

 Plumet, — the most elevated point of this part of the mountain 

 and hence named Gros Morne, — one does not encounter any 

 trees, the only vegetation being shrubs, grasses and sedges ; 

 at this height (812 meters above the .sea) there is a fine view ; 

 directly opposite is the ravine of the Claire within which are the 

 three active openings, to the left extends all the district of 

 Precheur with its picturesque farm houses situated each on its 

 little hill, and to the right in the distance may be seen the wide 

 landscape of St. Pierre, the city itself with its reddish ro<.fs, and 

 the vessels anchored in the roadstead. 



The general direction of trend of the ra\ ine where the active 

 steaming vents are situated is b^XI-.' hnnu th^ .-uh.m.t wt the 



