378 
DES. T. ANDERSON AND J. S. FLEET ON THE ERUPTIONS OF THE 
The smaller or “ new crater” was really parasitic on the north-east lip of the larger. 
They were separated by a narrow saddle, lowest in the middle, a steep-sloped, knife- 
edged ridge which it was considered dangerous to pass along. Comparatively few 
visitors undertook the scramble along the sharp rim of the inain crater to the smaller 
one, which was not so deep as the principal crater, and its bottom was dry. The 
diameter of the “new crater” was one-third of a mile and the outline nearly circular. 
On the north side of tlie two craters was the deep valley, already mentioned as 
lying at the foot of the precipitous wall of tlie Somma. 
The crater lake of the Soufrim’e is descriljed by all who had the good fortune to see 
it as having been a tiling of lieauty. The mists which roll across the mountain top 
before the steady trade wind too often obscured the view and cheated the traveller of 
the reward of his arduous climb. But wlifen the clouds lifted, and the sun breaking 
through the veil shone on tlie pearly-green sheet of water, reflecting from its ^ilacid 
surface tlie swelling mists above, and set in the sloping verdant crater walls, like 
an opal surrounded by emeralds, the sight was one the memory of which was 
cherished for a lifetime. 
THE EBUPTION OF MAY 7tii, 1902. 
Premonitory Symptoms. 
For 90 years the Soufriere had slumbered, and few were living who had seen it in 
eruption. But in the early part of tlie year 1901, an uneasy feeling began to arise in 
the minds of those wlio dwelt on the flanks of the mountain. Earthquakes are by no 
means infrequent in St. Vincent, though usually of sliglit severity, but in Februarv 
and March, 1901, they became so numerous around the north side of the volcano 
as to awaken suspicion that danger was threatened. There are two settlements of 
Caribs—the remains of the original inhabitants of the island, most of whom were 
exported, after the close of the Carib War of 1796, to the, island of (Battan in the 
Bay of Honduras)—at Morne Bonde on the west, and at Sandy Bay on the north¬ 
east of the mountain. It maybe that traditions linger among them regarding former 
disastrous eruptions, or superstitions connected with the crater, for though the Caribs 
are certainly not deficient in courage, they became so apjirehenslve that they peti¬ 
tioned to have their settlements removed to some other' ]iart of the island, and 
oftrcials had to be sent to cpiiet their fears. There is evidence in letters written to 
the Kingstown newspapers in March, 1901, that general interest had been awakened, 
and it was widely known that anxiety was being felt regarding the condition of the 
volcano. 
Tliese premonitory earthquakes were accomjianied by subterranean rumblings, 
wliich appeared to come from the interior of the hill. Apparentlv they did no 
