of September, 1730, the earth split open on a
sudden two leagues from Yaira. In one night a considerable hill of
ejected matter was thrown up; and, a few days later, another vent
opened, and gave out a lava-stream, which overran Chinanfaya and other
villages. It flowed first rapidly, like water, but became afterwards
heavy and slow, like honey. On the 7th of September an immense rock was
protruded from the bottom of the lava with a noise like thunder, and the
stream was forced to change its course from N. to N. W., so that St.
Catalina and other villages were overflowed.

Whether this mass was protruded by an earthquake, or was a mass of
ancient lava, blown up like that before mentioned in 1783 in Iceland, is
not explained.

On the 11th of September more lava flowed out, and covered the village
of Maso entirely, and for the space of eight days precipitated itself
with a horrible roar into the sea. Dead fish floated on the waters in
indescribable multitudes, or were thrown dying on the shore. After a
brief interval of repose, three new openings broke forth immediately
from the site of the consumed St. Catalina, and sent out an enormous
quantity of lapilli, sand, and ashes. On the 28th of October the cattle
throughout the whole country dropped lifeless to the ground, suffocated
by putrid vapors, which condensed and fell down in drops. On the 1st of
December a lava-stream reached the sea, and formed an island, round
which dead fish were strewed.

_Number of cones thrown up._--It is unnecessary here to give the details
of the overwhelming of other places by fiery torrents, or of a storm
which was equally new and terrifying to the inhabitants, as they had
never known one in their country before. On the 10th of January, 1731, a
high hill was thrown up, which, on the same day, precipitated itself
back again into its own crater; fiery brooks of lava flowed from it to
the sea. On the 3d of February a new cone arose. Others were thrown up
in March, and poured forth lava-streams. Numerous other volcanic cones
were subsequently formed in succession, till at last their number
amounted to about thirty. In June, 1731, during a renewal of the
eruptions, all the banks and shores in the western part of the island
were covered with dying fish, of different species, some of which had
never before been seen. Smoke and flame arose from the sea, with loud
detonations. These dreadful commotions lasted without interruption for
_five successi