VOLCANOES. 
411 
u pregnated with salts of different kinds, and sul- 
u phur, which it had acquired in falling through 
“ the immense cloud of smoke before described; 
Qg and was so sharp and poisonous as to occasion 
“ a considerable smarting, if it fell either upon 
tc the hands or face. At a greater distance from 
“ the fire there was a great coldness in the at- 
tc mosphere; and in some places there was a very 
“ heavy fall of snow, so that it lay upon level 
“ ground about three feet deep; in others so 
“ great a quantity of hail, as to do very consider- 
“ able damage to the cattle, and every thing 
“ that was out. The grass, and all manner of 
<e vegetables, which were already scorched by the 
“ heat, sand, and pumice stones, were covered 
over with a thick crust of brimstone and sooty 
t( matter. The great heat of the streaming fire, 
(( meeting with so large a body of water, occa- 
“ sioned such a vapor and steam in the air, as to 
“ darken the sun, which appeared like blood 
“ and the whole face of nature seemed to be 
“ changed. This lasted several days, the sand 
(C and pumice stones destroying all the crops that 
(C were upon the ground, the moment that they 
C( fell, burning up every thing that they touched: 
* In the same summer the sun had a similar appearance in 
Great Britain, and the same obscurity of air reigned in most 
parts of our island.— Pennant . 
