an Eruption of Mount Vefuvius. 83 
bourhood of Vefuvius are well convinced that they are 
the thunder-bolts that fell with the volcanic lightning. 
We found many of the volcanic bombs or, properly 
fpeaking, round bails of frefh lava, large and fmall; all 
of which have a nucleus compofed of a fragment of more 
ancient and folid lava. There were alfo fome other cu- 
rious vitrifications, very different from any I had ever 
feen before, mixed with the late fallen fhower of huge 
Jcorice and mafles of lava. 
Though I have endeavoured to be as particular and 
clear as poffible in the defcription I have given of the 
curious fubftances produced by the late eruption of Ve- 
fuvius, yet, as fpecimens of thofe fubftances will explain 
more at one fight than I can pretend to do by whole 
pages in writing, I fliall not fail to fend you, by the firft 
favourable opportunity, a colle&ion of them, which I 
have fet apart for that purpofe, particularly as, I flatter 
myfelf, they may ferve to give fome light into a hitherto 
obfcure fubjedt: I mean, the nature and manner of the 
formation of pumice-ftones. 
Vefuvius continues to fmoke confiderably, and we 
had a flight fliock of an earthquake yefterday ; fo that I 
do not think, notwithftanding the late eruptions having 
been fo very confiderable, that the volcano has vented 
itfelf fo fufficiently as to remain long quiet. 
M 2 
I muff 
