52 VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS. 
seldom vitreous. In the middle of the Malpays or 
second platform are found, amongst the glassy kinds, 
blocks of greenish-gray clinkstone or porphyry-slate. 
Obsidian of several varieties is exceedingly abundant 
on the Peak, as well as pumice, the latter being ge- 
nerally of a white colour; and the crater contains 
an enormous quantity of sulphur. 
The oldest written testimony, in regard to the ac- 
tivity of the volcano, dates at the beginning of the 
sixteenth century, and is contained in the narrative 
of Aloysio Cadamusto, who landed in the Canaries in 
1505. In 1558, 1646, and 1677, eruptions took place 
in the isle of Palma ; and on the 3lst December 1704, 
the Peak of Teneriffe exhibited a lateral burst, pre- 
ceded by tremendous earthquakes. On the 5th of 
January 1705, another opening occurred, the lavas 
produced by which filled the whole valley of Fas- 
nia. This aperture closed on the 13th of January ; 
but on the 2d of February, a third formed in the 
Cannada de Arafo, the stream from which divided 
into three currents. On the 5th May 1706, another 
eruption supervened, which destroyed the populous 
and opulent city of Garachico. In 1730, on the Ist 
September, the island of Lancerota was violently 
convulsed ; and on the 9th June 1798, the Peak 
emitted a great quantity of matter, which continued 
to run three months and six days. 
The island of Teneriffe presents five zones of vege- 
tation, arranged in stages one above another, and 
occupying a perpendicular height of 3730 yards. 
| |. The Region of Vines extends from the shores 
to an elevation varying from 430 to 640 yards, and is 
the only part carefully cultivated. It exhibits vari- 
ous species of arborescent Euphorbie, Mesembryan- 
2 
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