15
customary the volcano began to eject inflam-
ed substances from three new months, pretty
near to each other, and about 650 feet from
the summit. The lava took the direction of
Torre del Greco and Aununciata, approach-
ing Portici, on the road leading from Naples
to Pompeii. Throughout the whole of the
2nd of Jane, a noise was heard, resembling
that of two armies engaged, when the dis-
charges of artillery and musketry are very
brisk. The current of lava now resembled a
wall of glass in a state of fusion, sparks and
flashes issuing from it from time to time,
with a powerful detonation. Vines, trees,
houses, -- whatever objects, in short, it en-
countered on its way, were instantly over-
thrown or destroyed. In one part, where it
met with the resistance of a wall, it formed
a cascade of fire. In a few days, Portici, Re-
sina, and Torre del Greco, were covered with
ashes thrown out by the volcano; and, on the
ninth, the two former places were deluged
with a thick black ruin, consisting of a species
of mud flled with sulphurous particles. On
the 1st of July, the ancient crater had wholly
disappeared, being filled with ashes and lava,
and a new one was formed in the eastern part
of the mountain, about 60 feet in depth,
and having about the same width at the open-
ing. Several persons, on the above day, de-
scended about half way down this new mouth,
