80 
MEMOIR OF 
of them have been formed at a very remote period, 
and are covered ivith the vegetation cf many ages ; 
hut the indications and remains of their former 
irruptions are numerous and unequivocal. The 
craters of several are completely extinct ; those of 
others contain small apertures, which continually 
discharge sulphm'ous vapours or smoke. Many of 
them have had irruptions during late years, of 
which an interesting account has been given in the 
Batavian Transactions, by Dr. Ilorsfield, who ex- 
amined them. 
One of the most disastrous of these on record, 
was that of the Papandayang, the greater part of 
which was swallowed up in the earth, together ivitli 
an immense number of people, after a short but 
severe combustion, in the year 1 772. “ The account 
(says Dr. Horsfield) which has remained of this 
event asserts, that near midnight, between the 11th 
and 12th of August, there was observed about the 
mountain an uncommonly luminous cloud, by which 
it appeared to be completely enveloped. The in- 
habitants about the foot, as well as on the declivities 
of the mountain, alarmed by this appearance, be- 
took themselves to flight ; but before they could 
all save theiuBolves, the mountain began to give 
way, and the greatest part of it actually fell in and 
disappeared. At the same time a tremendous noise 
was heard, resembling the discharge of the heaviest 
cannon. Immense quantities of volcanic substances, 
which were thrown out at the same time and spread 
