III. Some Observations on a series of Specimens presented to the 
Geological Society , by the Hon . H. G. Ben net. 
By ARTHUR AIKIN, Esq. 
MEMBER OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
[Read 21st February, 1817.] 
On the 15th of June, 1794, a stream of lava flowed from Mount 
Vesuvius into the sea. The town of Torre del Greco, situated on 
the shore of the bay of Naples, was in part overwhelmed and 
buried under the fiery torrent. On the 16th of June, 1795, accord- 
ing to the testimony of M. Breislak, in his “ Topografia Fisica della 
Campania,” the lava had so far cooled, that a thermometer placed in 
the crevices rose only to 178° Fahr. and new buildings were already 
begun to be erected on the warm lava. In digging foundations for 
these houses, the ruins of those which had been overwhelmed by 
the lava, were occasionally broken into, and several articles were 
thus recovered which had been exposed to a heat of greater or less 
intensity, for the space of a year. The most complete and curious 
collection of these was made by the late Dr. Thompson. Many 
interesting specimens, however, were acquired by the Hon. H. G. 
Bennet, and with his accustomed liberality, have been presented by 
him to the Geological Society. By his desire I have examined 
these specimens, and the following notice is offered to the candour 
of the Members, instead of the dry detail of a mere catalogue. 
Vol. V. 
B 
