20 MOUNTAINS, 
the opening of a new gulf^ and approached the crater 
nearly as pnidence would allow. From its centre ascendeii 
tlie sulphureous yellow cone which the eruption of this 
year had formed : on the other side, a thick smoke pcipe- 
tually arose from the abyss opened during the preceding 
night. The side of the crater opposite to him, wliich rose 
considerably higher than that on which he stood, ailbrdcd 
a singular aspect ; for it was covered with little pillars of 
smoke, which burst forth from it, and had some resell)' 
blance to extinguished lights. The air over the crater was 
actually embodied, and was clearly to be seen in a tremU' 
lous motion. Below, it boiled and roared dreadfully, like 
tlie most violent hurricane ; but occasionally a sudden 
deadly stillness ensued for some moments, after which 
the roaring recommenced with double vehemence, and the 
smoke, burst forth in thicker and blacker clouds. It was, 
he observes, as if the spirit of the mountain had suddenly 
tried to stop tlie gulf, while the flames indignantly refused 
to endure tiie confinement. 
It is remarkable, that the great eruption of 1 805 hap' 
pened on the 12tli of August, within a day of tliat of tlie 
preceding year Subterraneous noises had been previously 
heard, and a general apprehension of some violent con)' 
motion prevailing, the inhabitants of Torre del Greco and 
Annunciada had left their homes, through the apprehension 
of a shower of fire and ashes, similar to that which buried 
Pompeii. The stream of lava took the same course witl* 
that of J 79^j described above, one of the arms following 
the direction of the great road, and rolling towards tlie sea- 
The stream soon divided again, and spreading itself wilh an 
increiised celeiity, swept away many houses and tlie finest 
-plantations. The otlier branch, at first, took tlie direction of 
Portici, which was threatened j but turning, and joining 
the preceding one, formed a sort of islet of boiling 
lava in the middle, botli ending in die sea, and composing 
a promontory of volcanic matters. In the space of twenty 
minutes the whole extent of ground which the lava 
occupied was on fire, otfering a terrible yet singular spsC' 
tadc, as die burning trees presented die aspect of whit® 
flames, in contrast with those of the volcanic matiei's- 
which were red. The lava swept along with it enormous 
masses of whatever occiured in its course, and, on it* 
