176 S/tetch of the Geology of the [Jan. 



Besides the presence of a violent commotion in the atmosphere, and 

 the powerful concussion of the earth, volcanic action seems to have 

 occurred, if we may be allowed to deduce such an inference, from the 

 highly embellished representations of the historian, of giants seen in 

 the air throwing great globes of fire at each other, confusions of human 

 voices in the atmosphere, tramplings of horses, and the sound of war- 

 like instruments. It is added that much of this nature occurred in- 

 " Salsette" and other places.* 



The metaphorical figures expressed in the latter part of the descrip- 

 tion, are strikingly similar to those employed by Dion Cassiusf in his 

 account of the eruption which destroyed Herculaneum and Pompeii, 

 where we are told that giants were seen, and the sounds of trumpets 

 were heard in the vicinity. 



Frequent mention of earthquakes may be found in the history of the 

 Malabar coast (which extends from Cananore to Cochin, about 42 

 leagues), where they go under the denomination of Bhumiculacam. 

 In 1784, a strong concussion w r as felt, and in the province of Nagara- 

 cotta, as well as on the bank of the river Sarayuva, volcanic appear- 

 ances are evident. But the most remarkable changes are to be found 

 in the vicinity of Cochin. On its north side we find the Island Vaypi, 

 which was thrown up by the sea about the year 1341. The soil upon 

 this new formation resembles that of the flat districts of Malabar, 

 which consists of sea sand and calcarious matter, combined with clay 

 said to be washed down from the ghauts. The production of Vaypi 

 gave rise to a new era, termed Puduvepa (new introduction). In the 

 same neighbourhood, Bartolomeo informs us, that he was witness to 

 the formation of an island, a mile in length, in the course of ten years 

 before the church at Celtiyatti, by the opposite effects of river and sea 

 water, which may be explained in the following manner: During the 

 months of August and September, if the rains have been abundant, the 

 waters of the river clear away from its mouth, those sandbanks which 

 have been formed during the height of the monsoon, in June and July, 

 by the high sea which then rages in a boisterous manner; but if the 

 rains have been scanty, and the force of the river is not sufficient to 

 carry away the obstruction of its junction with the waters of the ocean, 

 an inundation of the adjacent country ensues; the inhabitants are 

 driven from their dwellings, and so frequent is this occurrence, that we 

 are told grandchildren can scarcely point out, with any certainty, the 

 spot where their grandfathers resided, in consequence of the change in 

 its appearance. 



* Sousa's " Portuguese Asia/ 5 toxruiii, 

 •t Hist. IU?m. lib. GO, 



