The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-23

and the beautiful edfice was greatly crowded
xux VOLCANOES OF CENTRAL AMERICA, WITH ossKR-
yArrous TIN BIOGRAPHICAL AND roroaRArHI-
CAL FEATURES OF NICARAGUA.
Mr. Squler commenced BY ssyiHg-Ne eqaal ex-
tent of the American continent, perhaps OF the
x1sbe, possesses so many volcanoes, active md
extinct, or exhibits 80 many traces of volcanic ac-
tos as Central America that 10 10 say, the region
embraced between the Isthmus of Tehuantepes
and Panama, or Darien. In the words Of emf
meat traveller, the entire Pacific coast OF this
markabe country "bUslles with volcanic cones"
which form a conspicuous feature in every land
scaps, rising above the plains and unduistlng hills,
and often from the edges OF the great lakes, with
the regularity and symmetry OF the pyramids Ii
Is matter OF surprise and regret, that, aording as
II does % excellent 1rld for studying the grand
and interesting phenomena connected with volca-
noes and earthquakes, this country has not moro
particularly attracted the attention of scientific
men, and especially Of those who ascrbe 10 gaeous
and volcanic agency so important part in the ply
steal changes which our planet has Undergone
Humboldt did not pass through Central sAme-
RIGA, although he Was fully impressed with the
importance of Its geological and Typographical
investigation; deficiency which he deplores
in many places IN hts published researches
nor am aware that any but very partial and i'm
perfect accounts have oeen given to the world of
the volcanos of this country; and those have been
by PERSONS claiming consideration AZ scientific
men. Recognizing FULLY my own deficiency in this
respect, should not think of ventunng on the
subject, except in the hope at directing the atten-
ton OF competsnt persons anew to it, and thus
trbuting TO supply desideratum. And may here
observe, that the difficulties and dangers which
are popularity supposed 10 beset travellers in Gen.
trial America, resulting from unsettled state of
society, and from tropical diseases and imper-
feet means OF communication, fanclful, or have
been recently IN great part obvialed The student
will Ind but few serious obstacles To his investigd-
tons; and II he possesses a just enthusiasm with
out which he is no true student, he will find means
10 surmsunt those. The time, too, is favorable to
investigation on the part of our countrymen for
spart from the good feeling which pervades all
classes towards us. down 10 the poorest Indian,
the governments Of the various states are both
willing and anxious to extend every possible faci-
hty TO men Of science who may visit the country,
especially those veTsed In geology aud mineralogy
Indeed, have been both personally and officially
urged 10 exert n nlneGce to induce such 10 come
there, and also auihouz, d to assure them of cor
dial welcome and all practicable assistance on the
part Of the authonnes. The speedy opening of re-
gular steam communication with Nicaragua, by
means Of which the interior of the country may
be reached IL ten days nom New York, WILL am
sure, also contribute towards inducing our men of
science 10 explore this almost virgin field The
VOLCANOES of Central America are all situated on
the Pacific coast; the eastern slope of the CONT
nent, consisting OF broken mountain ranges which
exhibit few traces of volcanic action. In fact they
occur almost in night time, running due w.
and E, commencing with the high volcano of
Carriage, III Costa Rca Qi,OO0 feet higb) from the
summit of which both oceans visible, to Cital-
tepetl, in the department at Vera Cruz, in Mexico
There are several hundred volcanic peaks and ex-
tnct craters on this line, the most remarkable Of
which are Carriage, lrasu, Turrialva, Barba and
Vatos, in Costa Rica; Alrogads, Caro- Peias, Mi
ribales, Tenero, Riucon de la Vieja, Orosi. Ma
deira, Ometepec, Zapetero, Solentinami, Monio-
becho, Massya, or Ninaivi, Managus, Moaotombo
$500 feet hgh) Las Pilas, Acosusco, Arota, Ze-
hca, Santa Clara, III Viego q 600 feet hgh), Cose-
guins, and JOltepec, IN Nicaragua; I'll Tigre,
GuaDacauTe, and Nacaome, IN Honduras; ANA
Pala OF Conchagua, san Salvador, san Miguel, San
Vicente, lsaleo Psueon and santa Ana, in San Sal
vador; Pacays, Volcan de Aqua, Volcan de Fue-
90, lnconiro, Acaienango, Atillan, Tesannelco,
SaPonIlan, Amlpss Cues altenango, and Loconnus-
CO, III Guatemala. here many others, which are
nameless, or of which the names are unknown.
Some ten or twelve OF those above named are said
TO be "alior," (vlvo,) that is TO say, they throw
OUT smoke, and exhibit other evidences Of vitality
But three or four, however, can be said TO be &C
tive at present, of which lsalco, in San Salvador
is the most remarkable, having been formed within
the last eighty years. and within the recollection
Of persons now living. This volcano. and that O
Jorullo, IN Mexico, described by HUMBOLDT are,
believe, the only ones which have originated OF
this continent since it's discovery. II arose from
the plain IN lao, and csvefs what was then Tin,
hacienda or estate. The occupants of this estai,
were alarmed by subtenanean noises and SHOCK
oftafthquakts, about the end OF l769, which con
tinued "a increase 10 loudness and strength unit
the I'D OF February following, when The earth
opened about half mile from The dwellings on the
estate, sending cut lava accompanied BY fire and
smoke. The Inhabitants fled, but the vaqueros, oil
herdsmen, who visited the estate daily, reported
constant Increase in the smoke aud flame but TIA,
kbeeJecton Of lava was az times suspended and vast
quantities OF ashes, clnders, and stones seat out
instead, forming an Increasing cone around the Gu
or crater. This process was repeated for a long
period but for many years the volcano has thrown
out DO lava. IL has however, remained in a state
OF constant eruption the explosions occurring eve
~ sixteen minutes and quarter with a noise like
the discharge Of park of artillery, accompanied
by dense smoke and cloud Of ashes AMI stones.
which fall upon every SIDE and add TO the height Of
the cone. II II now about une thousand hive hun
dred or two thousand feet IN height, aud, am in-
formed by an intelligent West Indian gentleman,
DR.. Dnyon, who has known IL for the past twenty
five years, that within that period has increased
about one third. AT sometimes the explosions
more violent than al others, and the elected matter
greater in amount; bat Il IL said the discharges
always regular With the wind IN favorable di-
reciion, m annoying nnd sometimes injurious guam
ty Of hne ashes or powder Is carried Ia the city OF
Lensonaie, twelve Mules distant The volcano Of
Jorullo rose, believe, in single night; but. as
we have seen. lsslco IL the result Of long
tinued deposits, and II seems 10 me that most
OF the VOLCANOES Of Central America, incluinQ
some OF the largest, have been formed IN like
manner Ia fact have been personal
witness OF the origin Of volcano,
which, II Il does not meet premature exungush-
meni, bids fair to add another high cone to those
which now stud the great PLAN Of Leon. This
plain, the hnest | have ever seen, lies between
Lake Managua, (Which has it's outlet through
Lake Nicaragua and the riycr san Juan, into the
AuaDtic) and the Pacific Here the Corderes
are wholly interrupted, aud the Almighty hand
has smoothed the way for the grandest enterprise
which human daring has conceived, aud which hui
man energy seems now on the eve Of accomplish
inR-the opening Of a ship canal between The two
oceans. Standing upon a moderately elevated
point In this great plain, the traveller looks down
upon one hand on the silvery waters Of Managua,
ADD upon the other on the broad Pacific, stretching
far away TO "Cettray and the spice Islands" A
narrow belt 81 land. less than eixty feet higher
than the lake, alone prevents Managua from send
ing her waters IN the western rather than the
eastern ocean-into the placd Pacific rather
than he turbulent Atlantic. This plain s trr
versed by a succession ~ volcanic cones, from
the gigantic Momotoubo, standing boldly
out into the LAKE, 10 the memorable
Cosequma, proiecung iis base not lees boldly into
the ocean Fourteen distinct volcanoes occur within
lOo nes, en- the Tine, III of which are vivid at the
same tune. They Do not form continuous range
but stand srgly. The plain between the m generally
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