The Sun.
London, England, 1825-11-07 00:00:00

INDIAN VOLCANOES.

On the VOLCANO in the HIMALAYA MOUNTAINS.
It is generally known that the Himalaya Moun-
tains are subject to frequent and violent earthquakes, which
would appear to intimate that some active principle is at work
beneath them. This principle seems at length to have found a
vent, but why it should have selected one of the highest peaks
instead of a lower levelfor its appearance, is not easily explain-
ed, unless this peak prove to have been the site of an extinguish-
ed volcano.

The greatest heights of the Himalaya which have yet been ex-
plored, are found to present primitive rocks ; while in their
nearest rivals, the Andes (most of the highest peaks of which
are volcanoes), granite disappears at a comparatively low level,
and is replaced by porphyry and other generally acknowledged
igneous productions. It would, therefore, be an interesting
matter of inquiry to ascertain, whether that part of the Himalaya
which is the scene of the above-mentioned phenomenon, agrees
in structure with the more western part of the range, or whe-
ther it is surmounted by rocks indicative of the former action
of fire.

The terrific agent which has here demonstrated its existence,
may be connected witlitthe earthquakes which are often felt in
the lower provinces, but which either from their distance from
the centre of the subterraneons operations, their depth from the
surface, or the ill-conducting power of the vast mass of alluvial
strata in that part of the country, have not been known to pro-
duce those destructive effects which are observed in other

coun tries.

It has been observed, that buildings on rock suffer (with few
exceptions) more than those placed on alluvial soil ; and this is
easily explained, by the circumstance, that rock, from its com-
pactness and hardness, is more fitted to receive and transmit
the vibrations given to it by any impulse than tile softer and more
yielding alluvial strata. It is fortunate therefore, that Bengal is
blessed with such an unsearchable depth of soil as it presents, and
however mortifying it may be to the geologist who may be so
unlucky as to be imbedded in it, his neighbours have much to
congratulate themselves upon.
The earthquakes on the sth and Bth of January last at My-
mensingh would appear to have been connected with the ap-
pearance of the volcano. Any remarks on unusual activity in
' the volcano, or its sudden extinction, coupled with notices of
earthquakes or other natural phenomena in the lower provinces,
would not, if communicated through the public journals, be
altogether unacceptable to the scientific world ; and it is to
be hoped that those who have opportunities of observing them
will not withhold them on the plea of mere idleness.

A VISIT TO THE PETROLEUM SPRINGS AND
VOLCANOES OF MEM 800.
MADE SEVERAL YEARS AOO.
JANUAILY 20th.—Early is the afternoon our boats were
brought to, immediately above Memboo, a straggling village
on the right bank of the river, extending upwards of a mile in
length : before it, we found a number of large boats, but having
been told there were some curious salt springs in the neigh-
bourhood, we lost no time in proceeding to explore, and on the
way found the Ku Maywoon waiting to officiate as guide.
We discovered the objects of our search at no great distance,
in a circular hollow of about 400 feet diameter, closed in on three
sides by low bleak-looking rocky hills, bare of all vegetation,
save a few stunted bushes of the prickly pear, and altogether
having much the appearance of the sunk crater of an extinct
volcano.
About the centre of this plain we found a pool of Petroleum,
boiling up with considerable force in ten or twelve places: the
diameter of the pool was about 35 feet, the depth great, or I
should rather say unknown; encircling it there are a number of
small openings, from which Petroleum also exudes ; and inter-
mixed with those, an equal number of salt springs arise, sepa-
rated only by a few feet of soil from each other.
Forty feet north from the principal well, in the centre of the
hollow, is another Petroleum fount, of smaller size, but sup.
posed of equally great depth, and, like the former, surrounded
by several smaller openings—some discharging petroleum, and
other salt water.
Southward from those two, and towards that side which is not
closed in by hills, we found four or five wells smaller, though not
otherwise differing, in appearance ; near some of them we
found only springs of earth oil—near others both oil anti salt
water.
About 500 yards south-west from those springs we approached
a new and more curious scene, and unexpectedly came in sight
of nearly a dozen volcanoes, the greater number of them in a
state of activity ; not, however, throwing out red hot lava, but
quietly ejecting a little thin blue liquid earth, which drying as
it falls down the side of the cones, adds slowly to their dimen-
sions.
In general the volcanoes were from 20 to 25 feet in height,
each having a crater of eight or ten feet diameter, to which it
was evident the cone owed its elevation above the level of the
plain, it seeming to consist entirely of the matter thrown out :
besides this earthy matter, which preserved its colour in drying
without sensible taste or smell, five or six times in the minute,
a quantity of gas, visible like thin smoke, was thrown out,
preceded by a hollow rumbling noise and tremulous motion of
the cone; when bamboos have been thrust into the crater they have
generally been ejected with violence; the craters in activity were
filled up to the brim with the liquid matter, whichoccasionally sub-
sided a few inches ; several of those not in action presented the
appearance of a funnel of 10 or 12 feet in depth, diminishing
at the bottom to an opening of a few inches in diameter. From
the Burmahs those infant or worn-out volcanos have obtained
the name of hills of snakes, and offerings are made by the
people of the neighbourhood, to the supposed subterranean in-
habitants.
About 20 yards from the most southern of the volcanoes we
found several salt springs ; the soil around is also strongly
impregnated with salt, and it was only at this last place we
found any marks of advantage being taken of the liberality of
nature : by washing the earth, anti evaporating the water with
that drawn from the springs, a very pure salt is obtained, pre-
ferred to that brought from Rangoon, and sold on the spot at
from 3 to 4 ticals for the viss. The pools, whether of Petroleum
or salt water, were nearly on a level with the surface of the
earth, and not perceptibly hotter than the river water. "' A
little petroleum is carried off to be used as dammer for boats ;
it seemed not to be valued, and we were told was considered
public property, open to all.
The soil around is poor and sterile, and the little vegetation
appeared in stunted bushes among the bare black rocks on the
sides of the hills ; where the earth, from the little volcanes ex-
tends there was no vegetation whatever, and the place is consi-
dered very unhealthy.
In returniuing to our boats we accompanied our guide to a
Pagoda of great antiquity and celebrity, on the top of a hill
near the river, where Gaudma is said to have rested on his way
to Pagbam, and held a conversation with the snakes of the
neighbouring bills ; we could not, however, obtain any infor.
matron respecting the subjects discussed at the meeting, but
we saw an impression of his feet on the rock, and sat down on
the mat with our friend, whilst he mumbled over his
prayers, and offered his little wax lights. In general the Bur-
mahs seem free from ostentation in their devotions,and perhaps
are equally so from any strong attachment to their religion.
From this hill we enjoyed a most delightful view of the coun-
try ; on all sides the Salt and Petroleum springs are situated in
a hollow apparently scooped out of the extremity of the
range of hills coming front the north west. To the northward
a plain, as far as the eye can reach, with the river running
through it, almost lost amongst extensive sands, which, cover.
ed in the rains, must give it a breadth of 4 or 5 miles ; to the
west a plain bounded by the Anonpectonnion, at the distance
of 30 or 40 miles ; southward the river, with low hills on both
banks, those on the right beginning again to appear imme-
diately below Memboo. On the east bank of the river a plain
covered with wood, and a few white Pagodas peeping out from
among the trees.
22d. Yaynangheoum,—the earth oil wells at this place are
sufficiently well known.
24th. About noon, we brought-to for the day at Shembeg-
hewm, or rather at the temporary substitute for that village left
at this season by the river at the distance of three miles inland.
It seemed to be a place of considerable trade; we found a num-
ber of carts loaded with Beetlenut, the produce of Bengal, and
brought through the passes in the hills, on the shoulders of
coolies. The road to the foot of the hills was said to be two or
three days, and represented as pretty good for carts; from the
plain of the Irrawady to Aracan, through the hills nine or ten
days ; the road tolerable for cattle or foot passengers, but not
passable by -carts of any description ; in many places it is cut
in the sides and ridges of the solid rock of the mountains, and
too narrow to admit carriages.
From Aracan to the Naaf, we were informed, the distance
did not exceed two days journey.

* Probably the Petroleum rested on the surface of water
of the same quality, but the circumstance was not noticed at
the time.