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to fuch obfervatlons only as relate to my prefent 
fubjedt. 
Over the ftratum of pUmice and burnt matter that 
covers Pompeii, there is a ftratum of good mould, of 
the thicknefs of about two feet and more in fome 
parts, in which vines flourifh, except in fome parti- 
cular fpots of this vineyard, where they are fubje<5t 
to be blafted by a foul vapour or mojete^ as it is called 
here, that rifes from beneath the burnt matter. The 
abovementioned fliower of pumice ftones, according 
to my obfervations, extended beyond Caftel-a-mare 
(near which fpot the ancient town of Stabia alfo lies 
buried under them), and covered a trad; of country 
not lefs than thirty miles in circumference. It was 
at Stabia that Pliny the elder loft his life, and this 
fhower of pumice ftones is well defcribed in the 
younger Pliny’s letter. Little of the matter that has 
iftued from Vefuvius ftnce that time, has reached 
thele parts : but I muft obferve that the pavement of 
the ftreets of Pompeii is of lava ; nay, under the 
foundation of the town, there is a deep ftratum of 
lava and burnt matter. Thefe circumftances, with 
many others that will be related hereafter, prove, 
beyond a doubt, that there have been eruptions of 
Vefuvius previous to that of the year 79, which is the 
ftrft recorded by hiftory. 
The growth of foil by time is eaftly accounted 
for ; and who, that has vifited ruins of ancient edi- 
fices, has not often fecn a flouriftiing fhrub, in a good 
foil, upon the top of an old wall ? I have remarked 
many fuch on the moft confiderable ruins at Rome 
and elfewhere. But from the foil which has grov/a 
over the barren pumice that covers Pompeii, I was 
enabled 
