The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-04-04

bases upon late observations that the cen
trail crater commences the agitation,
which is then followed by series Of light
convulsions which terminate in the grand
outbreak. This concluded. the volcano
becomes again quiescent. A vivid i'm
preston Of the enormous force developed
during an eruption is conveyed in the
fact that on April 20, 1872, the volume
of smoke, ashes, lava fragments, and
bombs projected upwards from the crater
attained the height Of no less than 4,2G5
feet from the edge. ,.. -
II is difficult to convey an accurate
idea Of the appearance Of Nesuvius
when thus convulsed. 1t was our for
tune to witness the eruption of 1868,
which, in point Of magnitude, was prob
ably little inferior to that of last year.
Pictures of the phenomenon invariably
exaggcrate it, as they depict steady
column Of ire of height equal to or
greater than that of the mountain. As
the latter is over 5000 feet above the sea
level in altitude, the impossibility of
fiery pillar Of such proportion is obvious.
Red-hot stones are occasionally, as we
have above stated, thrown to greater
heights; but such is by no means Of
common occurrence. BY day, an un-
ceasing flow of white smoke rises like
gigantic plume from the crater, and is
visible for miles distant; while at night,
the base Of the column becomes radiant
with lurid glare. During the height
of an eruption, the smoke is elected in
greater quantities, and the summit of the
mountain belches fountains Of flame.
The latter, however, are by no means
continuous. The volcano will often re-
main quiet for hours and sometimes
days, often causing il to be believed that
the convulsions are over. Then, all of
sudden, the smoke clouds will thicken,
rumbling becomes heard, and a great jet
of fire rises for short distance above
the crater and instantly falls back. At
the same time, stones and red-hot scoriG
rise high in the air and add, by their
fall, to the noise of the commotion.
This goes on at varying intervals, some
times eeasing Immediately and again con-
tinuing for day or more. There is
prevalent though mistaken idea that the
lava, at the time of these great outbursts,
pours in rapid torrents down the decliv-
ity. In times of repose it is very sell
dom that the streak of light due to the
red-hot mass is seen on the mountain
side; though, when an eruption first be-
gins, probably after night fall, jagged,
iurid line will be remarked reaching be-
low the crater. This extends as the con-
vulsion progresses, and, after several
weeks, it expands into several dull-red
streams reaching down a distance per-
haps Of two-thirds of the slope. The
onward movement of the lava is very
slow, and of course it is totally unlike
the molten rivers represented in the pop
ular prints. Its surface soon cools sufii-
ciently to permit of being walked over,
though stick thrust few inches down
becomes quickly charrcd.
The danger to the villages at the base
of Nesuvius does not lie so much from
stones or ashes being heaped upon them,
as We have recently seen it stated, but
from these descending lava streams ex-
tending down far enough to reach popu-
lated portions. In regard to the noun
tain throwing ashes, such is oflen the
case when the wind is high; but the
quantity elected is never enough to cause
apprehension. The substance which
buried Pompeii and Herculaneum, which
seems to be nothing more than fine dry
pumice, must have been the result Of an
eruption to which modern commissions
furnish no parallel. We have seen ashes
carried to points several miles distant
from the volcano but, during the entire
cOurseof the eruption the aggregate depth
to which they fell could not have exceed
cd from one-eighth to ofre-quarter Of an
inch. The substance was in black fria-
bic grains somewhat resembling gunpoy-
der, but very unlike the material which
the Roman cities.
Professor Palmieri has produced a very
instructive work on Nesuvius. Now, We
would suggest that he supplement his
efforts by turning his investigations from
an intermittent to a constant volcano
from VesuyiIs to Stromboli. The lat.
ter, situated ON an island in the Medter-
ranean, is in perpetual eruption, and the
light from its summit serves as a well
known beacon TO sailors. For how long
the phenomenon has existed, history
does not state but ii seems to us that
much valuable cosmical knowledge might
be gained from the results of such con-
tinuous volcanic action. Seientgie Amer
ioan.
short-Lcgged Stock.