152 EARTHaUAKES OF REMOTE TIMES. 
Fifthly, earthquakes are sometimes observed 
onward, so as to be felt in different countries at 
hours of the same day. This may be accounted fof 
violent shock given to tlie earth at one place, and 
nicated progressively by an undulatory motion, succei’ 
affecting different regions as it passes along, in ! 
way as the blow given by a stone thrown into a ^ |ir 
not perceived at the shore until some time after tn 
concussion. 
Sixthly, the shock is sometimes instant**'’ 
tfe" 
like the explosion of gunpowder, and sometimes 
lous, lasting for several minutes. The nearer to 
server the place where the shock is first given, rf/, 
"6 1 1 
instantaneous and simple it appears ; while, at a F j[)i 
distance, the eardi seems to redouble the first blow'^ ' 
.sort of vibratory continuation. Lastly, as the water*^^j|tf 
in general so great a share in the production 
quakes, it is not surprising that they' should generally 
the breaches made by tlie force of fire, and appe***^ 
great chasms opened by tlie earth. 
EARTHQUAKES OF REMOTE TIMES. 
The most remarkable earthquakes of ancient tii^ m 
described by Pliny in his Natural History. An*® , if. 
aesenueu uy rnuy m in» a>culuui AAiawi/. 
most extensive and destructive of these was 
already noticed, by which thirteen cities in Asi3 , / 
^ * * h ' 
were swallowed up in one night. ‘Another ■"'*’1^. ii^ 
ceeded, shook the greater part of Italy. 
extraordinary one, described by him, happened dujj 
consulate of Lucius Marcus and Sextus Julius, "* ^^, 111 )' 
tl'*’,/ 
man province of Mutina. He relates, that two 
- - ^ - ..... . ... api .f'l 
fek so tremendous a shock, that they seemed to 
and retire with a most dreadful noise. They at t*’ ^ 
1 fit" y 
time, and in tlie middle of the day, cast fortb 
smoke, to the dismay of the astonished spectator.^.^jk^^ 
shock several towns were destroyed, and all the 
their vicinity killed. During the reign of TrajaOi , gfh 
of Antiogh was, together with a great part 
cent country, destroyed by an earthquake ; and ; 
hundred years after, during the reign of Justin'^Jy ot ^ 
again destroyed, with the loss of forty tliousf’ yif 
*ohabit8Bt.s. L^tly, after aa interval of s**™ 
