J84 CONNEXIOK OF EARTHftPAKES WITH VOLCAH*’ 
from the progress of vegetation, and from the ^ 
black mould which covers its sides, its^ in tenor 
iiued in a state of uninterrupted activity, Its ^ > 
large, aitd has, in general, the .shape of a funnel i 
its sides very irregular : the brim, or margin, whic jj.i- 
it at the top, has also different degrees of elcvatioi^.^.iiJ 
and descending along the whole course of .f; 
fcvcnce. This may be estimated at a mile and a !'.■ .. 
the perpendicular depth on the south- side. “ irik]i 
steep, is at least two hundred and^ litty teet ; 
west it rises considerably biglicr. The bottom ot ^ 
has a diameter of nine hundred feet, but is not 
its form, which depends on the meeting ol the 
Near the centre it contains an irregular jiicl* 
collection of water, the greatest diameter ot ' 
nearly three luuidred feet. T'lie wa.cr .g v'T 
exhibits the ap.pearance of a l.ake of milk, 
perpetual discharge of large bubbles, occa.siooc 
developcment of lixed air. Towards its eastern e ^ 
are the remaining outlets of tlie suliterraneous / 
si.sting of several apertures, from wlilch aii iinu’ 
disciiat^tt of -sulphureous vapours takes place. ^ j/, 
pours rush out with incredible force, with 
raneoiis noises, resembling the boiling of aii 
dron in the bowels of the mountain. When 
tom, the force of the impression made on tlie sp 
tliis grand and terrific scene, is increased by tB 
tion of the dangers he had to encounter in ^ 
while the extent of the crater, :ind the rem-'^^^„t, 
former explosions, afibrd an indescribable ei)J0 > 
fill liis mind with the most awful satistaction. 
The explosions of mud, called by the natives 
a great curiosity. This volcanic phenomcnob^^^|.gct j 
centre of a limestone district, and is first 
approaching it from a distance, by a large Ji/ 
smoke, which rises and disappears at interva ^ vj, 
seconds, and resembles the vapours arising 
surf. A dull noise, like that of tliunder, i® ^ ^ 
time heard ; and, on a nearer approach, 
is no longer impeded by the smoke, a large f 
mass is obsen'ed, consisting of black earth, ^ P 
water, about sixteen feet in diameter, rising 
