238 
DR. DAVY’S ACCOUNT OF A NEW VOLCANO 
From the 19th of July till the 16th of August, the volcano continued active, 
and was gradually enlarged in all its dimensions. Partly owing to the curi¬ 
osity of individuals, but chiefly to the watchful care of Vice-Admiral Sir 
Henry Hotham, during this period it was almost constantly under observa¬ 
tion. Its activity appears to have been greatest about the 7th of August, when 
it was visited by Captain Irton, of the 2nd batallion of the Rifle Brigade, who 
made a very successful series of sketches and drawings, exhibiting its different 
appearances, both at rest and in action ; copies of some of which, through his 
kindness, are annexed. At this period it emitted more ignited matter than 
previously or afterwards, but even then its fire was rarely distinctly visible 
by day. Its eruptions, it may be inferred, ceased suddenly, for on the night 
of the 15th of August it was seen in a state of considerable activity by a party 
of officers of the 73rd regiment, and two days after, when visited by another 
party composed of officers of the Rifle Brigade, it was in a tranquil state, 
emitting merely steam or aqueous vapour. Since that time there has been no 
fresh eruption. 
Whilst the eruptions lasted, there is reason to believe that the form and 
dimensions of the volcano were almost constantly varying, according to the 
quantity of ashes discharged, and the violence of the explosions. When in a 
state of rest, between the 20th of August and the 3rd of September, during a 
period of fine weather, it was carefully examined by Captain Wodehouse, R.N. 
commanding His Majesty’s brig Ferret, who landed on it repeatedly and ascer¬ 
tained its exact dimensions. He has been so obliging as to favour me with a 
plan of it, taken from actual survey, a copy of which, with his permission, I 
shall attach. (Plates V. and VI). According to this survey, the circumference 
of the island was about 3240 feet, and its greatest height 107 feet, and the 
circumference of the crater was about 780 feet. He found the surface tolerably 
cool, and composed entirely of ashes and cinders without any lava. The crater 
contained turbid salt water of 200° Fahr., from which, besides aqueous vapour, 
there was a constant disengagement of gas. He had specimens of the ashes 
and scorise collected, and also of the water and gas, which he did me the favour 
of sending to me on his arrival at Malta, and which I shall revert to hereafter. 
As far as the sounding-lead could be thrown into the crater, the water was 
very shallow, not exceeding three - or four feet; and the crater was evidently 
filling up rapidly, by the falling in of its margin. 
