DES. T. AXDEESOX AND J, S. FLETT OX THE EEUPTIOXS OF THE 
jjassing to leeward by Wallibu. Before they reach the coast most of their energy is 
spent, and their velocity so greatly diminished that the black cloud, when it flowed 
out over Richmond Village, was travelling at the rate of only 30 miles an hour, and 
did not produce any great disturbance in the level of the sea surface, while that which 
passed over the mouth of the Riviere des Peres at St. Pierre had a velocity of at 
least 100 miles aii liour. Under the circumstances it is not difficult to believe that 
the one may have had very much greater effect upon the level of the waters than the 
other. 
Magnetic Disturbances. 
We understand from the reports of Professor Lacroix and his colleagues, and of 
Professor that at several observatories magnetic disturbances have been noted 
corresponding in time to certain of the eruptions of this spring. As we are not in 
possession of any special information regarding these observations, it is not j^ossible 
for us to discuss them in this Report. 
THE GENERAL SEQUENCE OF VOLCANIC PHENOMENA IN THE 
ANTILLES AND CENTRAL AMERKW IN THE EARLY PART OF 1902. 
The disturbances in St. Vincent which cidminated in the eruptions of Pelee and the 
Soufrlere can he traced l)ack for more than a year. They began at least as early as 
February, 1901, at which time the Caribs were alarmed by the numerous earthquakes 
around tlie Soufriere. After a temporary quiescence they resumed in March and 
April, 1902. Montague Pelee began to emit steam about April 23rd, thougli, 
according to Professor Jaggar, who has made a special study of the premonitory 
symptoms, the water in the crater lake was noticed to be warm in January.On 
Ajiril 28th tlie violence of the earthquakes in St. Vincent was startling. 
On Apiil 18th—that is to say, just before actual volcanic action was observed at 
Martinique—a powerfid earthquake shook Guatemala, and destroyed the town of 
Ruez-Altenanp’o. 
o 
On May 5 th the crater lake of Pelee hurst, and the Usine Guerin was destroyed. 
On the 7th the great eruption occurred in St. Vincent. On the 8th the city of 
St. Pierre was destroyed. It was not till the 15tli that the Soufriere of St. Vincent 
passed into a state of temporary quiescence. 
The second important eruption of the Soufriere was on the ISth. (There had been 
a minor outlmrst on the 9th.) That of Montague Pelee followed on the 20th. 
In Martinique further outbursts took place on May 26th and June 6th. There 
was no corresponding activity in St. Vincent. 
* ‘ Comptes Rendus,’ vol. cxx.xv., p. 391 ; ‘Xational Geographic iMagazine,’ vol. xiii., p. 2-5.5, July, 1902. 
t ‘Popular .Science Monthly,’ 1902, jr 363, 
