l5r Chaniisso on the Volcano de Taal. ISl 
We observed from the place where we made a drawing of 
the crater a jplace on the opposite side of it, where a fall into 
the interior seemed to afford a slope, from which it might be 
possible to descend to the bottom. It cost us much time and 
trouble to gain this point, as we found the shstrp and pointed 
edge on which we walked, in many places impassible, and were 
frequently obliged to descend on the outside almost to the bank. 
Being under the wind of the fire, we were but slightly incom- 
moded by the sulphureous exhalations. 
The place just mentioned is that on which, during the last 
eruptions, the water poured that was thrown up. We attempt- 
ed to descend into several clefts, . but were ultimately obliged to 
abandon our intention, after we had reached about two-thirds of 
the depth. We were not provided in Taal with the cords we 
required^ arid by the assistance of which we might probably 
have descended the perpendicular wall of several fathoms high, 
which first presented itself to us, without being able to reach 
the bottom, as the precipice became always steeper the farther 
we descended. We found, in this neighbourhood, the ground ' 
covered with Plumose Alum. The time was too short to per- 
mit us to visit other hills. The other craters are at the foot 
of the principal ctater. 
The most terrible eruption of the Volcano de Taal was iri 
the year 1754. Its desolating progress is circumstantially re- 
lated iri the twelfth chapter of the thirteenth part of the history 
by Pr. Juan de la Conception. The mountain was tranquil 
after the former eruptions, (the last took place in the year 
1716,) and sulphur was obtained from the apparently extin-^ 
guished crater. It began to smoke anew in the beginning of 
August; and, on the 7th, flames were seen, and the earth 
trembled. The consternation increased from the 3d of Novem- 
ber to the 12th of December ; ashes, sand, mud; fire, and wa- 
ter were thrbwn up. Darkness, hurricanes, thunder and light- 
ning; subterraneous roarings; and long-protracted, violent, and 
repeated earthquakes, alternated in frightful succession. Taal, 
* This drawing of the Crater will be found in the Voyage Pittoresque, which 
M. Choris (the draughtsman to the expedition) ig about to publish at Paris, under 
the patronage of Count Romanzoff. This beautiful and faithful gallery of our 
voyage will greatly illustrate our observations and remarks. vol. iii. p. 4f4)2. 
