IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 
241 
and spread over the surface of the sea. In passing, we saw the breach, through 
which there appeared to be a current constantly setting into the crater, and the 
water on the outside in an apparent state of ebullition. To leeward the sea was 
very much discoloured, and rendered turbid by ashes and dust ; and cinders 
in plenty, of a very light kind, were floating on the surface. To ascertain if 
there was any peculiar smell belonging to the eruption, we passed a little 
within the skirts of the cloud, and the wind then freshening, we found our- 
selves in the midst of a dark shower of ashes, which fell with the force of fine 
hail, covered our persons, and almost blinded us. It was not in the slightest 
degree heated ; indeed the wind that brought it, and which appeared to come 
from the atmosphere of the volcano, was unusually cool. The dust was quite 
dry, and some that collected on the folds of our dress had a strong saline 
taste : I shall revert to it again in considering the chemical nature of the pro- 
ducts. Excepting once or twice when we perceived a slight smell of sulphur, 
,'no unusual odour, not the slightest bituminous smell, or smell of sulphuretted 
hydrogen, or of sulphurous acid, or of any other acid fume was observable. 
Shortly after we had pulled out of this cloud, the volcano became quiet ; 
and, the wind dispersing the vapour, the island appeared unobscured. We 
were so near to it, that it appeared practicable to reach it, and procure some 
specimens of the matter of which it was composed. When we were within 
about a boat’s length of its precipitous shore, Captain Wodehouse ordered 
soundings to be taken ; and it was found that the depth of the water was 
eight fathoms. Whilst part of the boat’s crew were engaged in pulling in the 
lead, we had warning of an eruption by a rumbling subterraneous sound, im- 
mediately followed by the projection of a column of vapour, and which in a 
few seconds was succeeded by an eruption of ashes and cinders. The larger 
and heavier masses passed over us, and fell at a distance. For about half a 
minute, we were nearly in complete darkness, owing to the thickness of the 
dust and ashes ejected. I held my breath as long as possible, not expecting 
that the vapour would have been respirable ; but, when obliged to breathe, I 
found no inconvenience from it, nor did Captain Wodehouse, or any of the 
boat’s crew. For a moment I felt a hot blast ; but this was very partial, and 
was not perceived by any one else in the boat. There was no unpleasant smell 
or acid fume of any kind. The eruption was slight, and of short duration ; 
