West Indian Eruptions of 1902. — Curtis. 41 
It is quite probable that within the great crater of Pelee 
there may be several vents besides the summit opening, in fact 
I observed three very distinct loci from which eruptions ap- 
peared to come within the walls of the main crater. From the 
very nature of the fragmental cone within, it is wholly con- 
sistent that volcanic outbursts may fissure it at various places 
along the flanks, and I am inclined to believe that outbreaks 
from the lower side of the great interior cone may have fre- 
quently been interpreted as eruptions from lower craters. 
These local manifestations in th|e main crater, however, no 
more deserve separation from the main source than would 
different puffs of smoke which emanate from the periphery of 
a bonfire. 
A phenomenon which I saw to cause much fright among 
the natives of both St. A'incent and Martinique, was eruption 
in the beds of rivers. This spectacular, though comparatively 
harmless expression, I am persuaded to believe is of wholly 
secondary nature, and of no more subterranean origin than 
is the cake of ice delivered at the door a source of winter 
rigor. 
The processes of these local eruptions could be seen by 
close, rational observation on the spot. At a distance they 
were misinterpreted by all except those who had learned their 
meaning from studies at close range. There are several im- 
mediate causes of these river bed eruptions and those methods 
by which I have observed them to be brought about. 
While returning in a canoe on the afternoon of May 3rd 
from a trip along the northern shore of St. Vincent, there 
came on a heavy rain. In a few minutes the water was fairly 
washing down the land over the cliifs into the sea. Rills 
became small torrents and hanging drainage creases sent small 
niagaras black with ash mud down the steep cliffs. Then just 
opposite a great cloud sprang from the mouth of the Wallibou 
river, and with a startling roar the heavy clouds rose higher 
and higher in great convoluting, twisting masses, huge fingers 
of black earth shot up through the stream in spasms and 
melted back into the bulging rolls. The eruption column rose 
to a hight of over a mile, curtaining in our horizon, darkening 
the sky and raining upon us a snow-like coating of wet ash 
dust. For over an hour we forced our un\villin<j- boatmen to 
