A 6'2 
DRS. T. AXDERSOX AND J. S. FLETT OX THE ERUPTIOXS OF THE 
circumference, of a conic form, but quite level. On the summit, out of the centre of the top, arises 
another mount, eight or ten feet high, a perfect cone; from its apex issues a column of smoke. It is 
composed of large masses of red grnnife-Uke rock of various sizes and shapes, which appear to have been 
split into their present magnitudes by some terrible eon\UTlsion of nature, and are piled up very regular. 
From most parts of the mountain issue great quantities of smoke, especially on the north side, which 
appears to be burning from top to bottom, and the heat is so intense, that it is impossible to go upon it. 
C4oing round the base is very dangerous, as large masses of rock are constantly splitting with the heat 
and tumbling to the bottom. At the bottom, on the north side, is a very large rock split in two; each of 
these halves, which are separated to a considerable distance from each other, is rent in all directions, and, 
from the crevices, issue efflorescences of a glossy appearance, which taste like vitriol, and also beautiful 
crystallisations of sidphur. On all parts of the mountain are great quantities of sulphm’ in all states; 
also alum, vitriol, and other minerals. From the external appearance of this mountain, I imagine it has 
only begun to burn lately, as on several parts of it I saw small shrubs and grass, which looked as if they 
had been scorched and burnt. There are several holes on the south, from which issues smoke, seemingly 
lirokeu out lately, as the bushes round are but lately Inirnt. On two opposite sides of the burning 
mountain, east and west, reaching from its base to that of the side of the crater, are two lakes of water, 
about a stone’s throw in l)readth; they appear to be deep in the middle, their bottom to be covered with 
a clay-like substance. The water seems pleasant to the taste, and is of a chalybeate nature. I suppose 
these lakes receive great increase if they are not entirely supported by the rain that tumbles down the 
side of the crater. I observed on the north side of the bottom traces of beds of rivers, that to appearance 
run great cpxantities of water at times to both these lakes. By the stones at their edges, I could perceive 
that either absorption or evaporation, or pexdiaps both, go on fast. The greater part of the bottom of the 
crater, except the mountain and two lakes, is very level. On the south part are several shrubs and small 
trees. There are many stones in it that seem to be impregnated with minerals. I saw several pieces of 
pumice-stone. I also found many stones aljout the size of a man’s fist, rough, on one side blue, which 
appearance, I imagine, they have got from heat and being in contact with some mineral. These stones are 
scattered over the whole mountain ; one or two I have sent you, with some others. 
“ After I had got up from the bottom of the crater, I coidd not help viewing it with admiration, from 
its wonderful structure and regularity. Here I found an excavation cut through the mountain and rocks 
to an amazing depth, and with as much regularity and pi oportion of its constituent parts as if it had been 
planned Ixy the hand of the most .skilful mathematician. I wished much to remain on the mountain all 
night, to examine its several ridges with more attention next day; but I could not prevail on my 
com])anion to stay, and therefore thought it advisable to accompany him.” 
From this description it will he .seen that in 1784 the volcano was in a sollataric 
condition, emitting much steam and sidphnretted hydrogen. Its crater contained 
only two small lakes, and had a low interior coire. The depth of the cavity is given 
as a (piartei' of a mile, but tliis must be exaggerated, for the next account of it, in 
1812, states that it is only 500 feet deep, yet, apparently, not a single important 
alteration had taken place during the years that intervened. 
The Eruption o/i 812 . 
Many accounts of the eruption of the year 1812 have appeai’ed irr works on the 
West Indies, aird in tr’eatlses on volcanology. They appear to he for the most par t 
abr idged from tire origirral papers which, on May 7th, 1813, were order-ed Iry the Ilorrse 
of Commons to he priirted, and appeared srrhseqrrerrtly as air official paper-. They have 
