YousawthosepicturesoftheruinsofArica，aboutwhichourtalkbegan；andfromthemyoucanguesswellenoughforyourselfwhatatownlookslikewhichhasbeenruinedbyanearthquake。OfthemiseryandthehorrorwhichfollowsucharuinIwillnottalktoyou，nordarkenyouryoungspiritwithsadthoughtswhichgrownpeoplemustface，andoughttoface。Butthestrangenessofsomeofthetrickswhichtheearthquakeshocksplayishardlytobeexplained，evenbyscientificmen。Sometimes，itwouldseem，theforcerunsround，makingthesolidgroundeddy，aswatereddiesinabrook。Foritwillmakestraightrowsoftreescrooked；itwilltwistwholewallsround——orratherthegroundonwhichthewallsstand——withoutthrowingthemdown；itwillshiftthestonesofapillaroneontheothersideways，asifagianthadbeentryingtospinitlikeateetotum，andsoscrewedithalfinpieces。Thereisastorytoldbyawiseman，whosawtheplacehimself，ofthewholefurnitureofonehousebeinghurledawaybyanearthquake，andburiedundertheruinsofanotherhouse；andofthingscarriedhundredsofyardsoff，sothattheneighbourswenttolawtosettlewhowasthetrueownerofthem。Sometimes，again，theshockseemstocomeneitherhorizontallyinwaves，norcircularlyineddies，butvertically，thatis，straightupfrombelow；andthenthings——andpeople，alas！sometimes——arethrownupofftheearthhighintotheair，justasthingsspringupoffthetableifyoustrikeitsmartlyenoughunderneath。Bythatsamelaw（forthereisalawforeverysortofmotion）itisthattheearthquakeshocksometimeshurlsgreatrocksoffacliffintothevalleybelow。Theshockrunsthroughthemountaintillitcomestothecliffattheendofit；andthenthefaceofthecliff，ifitbeatallloose，fliesoffintotheair。Youmayseetheverysamethinghappen，ifyouwillputmarblesorbilliard—ballsinarowtouchingeachother，andstriketheonenearestyousmartlyinthelineoftherow。Alltheballsstandstill，exceptthelastone，andthatfliesoff。Theshock，liketheearthquakeshock，hasrunthroughthemall；butonlytheendone，whichhadnothingbeyonditbutsoftair，hasbeenmoved；andwhenyougrowold，andlearnmathematics，youwillknowthelawofmotionaccordingtowhichthathappens，andlearntoapplywhatthebilliard—ballshavetaughtyou，toexplainthewondersofanearthquake。Forinthiscase，asinsomanymore，youmustwatchMadamHowatworkonlittleandcommonthings，tofindouthowsheworksingreatandrareones。ThatiswhySolomonsaysthat"afool’seyesareintheendsoftheearth，"becauseheisalwayslookingoutforstrangethingswhichhehasnotseen，andwhichhecouldnotunderstandifhesaw；insteadoflookingatthepettycommonplacematterswhichareabouthisfeetalldaylong，andgettingfromthemsoundknowledge，andtheartofgettingmoresoundknowledgestill。

Anotherterribledestructionwhichtheearthquakebrings，whenitisclosetotheseaside，isthewashofagreatseawave，suchassweptinlastyearupontheislandofSt。Thomas，intheWestIndies；suchassweptinuponthecoastofPeruthisyear。Theseamoans，andsinksback，leavingtheshoredry；andthencomesinfromtheoffingamightywallofwater，ashighas，orhigherthan，manyatallhouse；sweepsfarinland，washingawayquaysandhouses，andcarryinggreatshipsinwithit；andthensweepsbackagain，leavingtheshipshighanddry，asshipswereleftinPeruthisyear。

Now，howisthatwavemade？Letusthink。Perhapsinmanyways。

ButtwoofthemIwilltellyouassimplyasIcan，becausetheyseemthemostlikely，andprobablythemostcommon。

Suppose，astheearthquakeshockranon，makingtheearthundertheseaheaveandfallinlongearth—waves，thesea—bottomsankdown。Thenthewateronitwouldsinkdowntoo，andleavetheshoredry；tillthesea—bottomroseagain，andhurledthewaterupagainagainsttheland。Thisisonewayofexplainingit，anditmaybetrue。Forcertainitis，thatearthquakesdomovethebottomofthesea；andcertain，too，thattheymovethewateroftheseaalso，andwithtremendousforce。Forshipsatseaduringanearthquakefeelsuchablowfromit（thoughitdoesthemnoharm）thatthesailorsoftenrushupondeckfancyingthattheyhavestruckuponarock；andtheforcewhichcouldgiveaship，floatinginwater，suchablowasthat，wouldbestrongenoughtohurlthousandsoftonsofwaterupthebeach，andontotheland。

Butthereisanotherwayofaccountingforthisgreatseawave，whichIfancycomestruesometimes。

Supposeyouputanemptyindia—rubberballintowater，andthenblowintoitthroughapipe。Ofcourse，youknow，astheballfilled，theuppersideofitwouldriseoutofthewater。Now，supposetherewereapartyoflittleantsmovingaboutuponthatball，andfancyingitagreatisland，orperhapsthewholeworld——

whatwouldtheythinkoftheball’sfillingandgrowingbigger？

Iftheycouldseethesidesofthebasinortubinwhichtheballwas，andweresurethattheydidnotmove，thentheywouldsoonjudgebythemthattheythemselvesweremoving，andthattheballwasrisingoutofthewater。Butiftheantsweresoshort—

sightedthattheycouldnotseethesidesofthebasin，theywouldbeapttomakeamistake，becausetheywouldthenbelikemenonanislandoutofsightofanyotherland。Thenitwouldbeimpossiblefurthertotellwhethertheyweremovingup，orwhetherthewaterwasmovingdown；whethertheirballwasrisingoutofthewater，orthewaterwassinkingawayfromtheball。Theywouldprobablysay，"Thewaterissinkingandleavingtheballdry。"

Doyouunderstandthat？Thenthinkwhatwouldhappenifyouprickedaholeintheball。Theairinsidewouldcomehissingout，andtheballwouldsinkagainintothewater。Buttheantswouldprobablyfancytheveryopposite。Theirlittleheadswouldbefullofthenotionthattheballwassolidandcouldnotmove，justasourheadsarefullofthenotionthattheearthissolidandcannotmove；andtheywouldsay，"Ah！hereisthewaterrisingagain。"Justso，Ibelieve，whentheseaseemstoebbawayduringtheearthquake，thelandisreallybeingraisedoutofthesea，hundredsofmilesofcoast，perhaps，orawholeisland，atonce，bytheforceofthesteamandgasimprisonedundertheground。

Thatsteamstretchesandstrainsthesolidrocksbelow，tilltheycanbearnomore，andsnap，andcrack，withfrightfulroarandclang；thenoutofholesandchasmsinthegroundrushsteam，gases——oftenfoulandpoisonousones——hotwater，mud，flame，strangestones——allsignsthatthegreatboilerdownbelowhasburstatlast。

Thenthestrainiseased。Theearthsinkstogetheragain，astheballdidwhenitwaspricked；andsinkslower，perhaps，thanitwasbefore：andbackrushesthesea，whichtheearthhadthrustawaywhileitrose，andsweepsin，destroyingallbeforeit。

Ofcourse，thereisagreatdealmoretobesaidaboutallthis：

butIhavenotimetotellyounow。Youwillreadit，Ihope，foryourselveswhenyougrowup，inthewritingsoffarwisermenthanI。Orperhapsyoumayfeelforyourselvesinforeignlandstheactualshockofagreatearthquake，orseeitsworkfreshdonearoundyou。Andifeverthathappens，andyoubepreservedduringthedanger，youwilllearnforyourself，Itrust，moreaboutearthquakesthanIcanteachyou，ifyouwillonlybearinmindthesimplegeneralrulesforunderstandingthe"how"ofthemwhichIhavegivenyouhere。

Butyoudonotseemsatisfiedyet？Whatisitthatyouwanttoknow？

Oh！TherewasanearthquakehereinEnglandtheothernight，whileyouwereasleep；andthatseemstoyoutooneartobepleasant。WillthereeverbeearthquakesinEnglandwhichwillthrowhousesdown，andburypeopleintheruins？

Mydearchild，Ithinkyoumaysetyourheartatrestuponthatpoint。AsfarasthehistoryofEnglandgoesback，andthatismorethanathousandyears，thereisnoaccountofanyearthquakewhichhasdoneanyseriousdamage，orkilled，Ibelieve，asinglehumanbeing。ThelittleearthquakeswhicharesometimesfeltinEnglandrungenerallyuponelineofcountry，fromDevonshirethroughWales，anduptheSevernvalleyintoCheshireandLancashire，andthesouth—westofScotland；andtheyarefeltmoresmartlythere，Ibelieve，becausetherocksarehardertherethanhere，andmoretossedaboutbyearthquakeswhichhappenedagesandagesago，longbeforemanlivedontheearth。Iwillshowyoutheworkoftheseearthquakessomeday，inthetiltingandtwistingofthelayersofrock，andinthecracks（faults，astheyarecalled）

whichrunthroughthemindifferentdirections。Ishowedyousomeonce，ifyourecollect，inthechalkcliffatRamsgate——twosetofcracks，slopingoppositeways，whichItoldyouweremadebytwoseparatesetsofearthquakes，long，longago，perhapswhilethechalkwasstillatthebottomofadeepsea。ButevenintherockypartsofEnglandtheearthquake—forceseemstohaveallbutdiedout。Perhapsthecrustoftheearthhasbecometoothickandsolidtheretobemuchshakenbythegasesandsteambelow。InthiseasternpartofEngland，meanwhile，thereisbutlittlechancethatanearthquakewilleverdomuchharm，becausethegroundhere，forthousandsoffeetdown，isnothardandrocky，butsoft——sands，clays，chalk，andsandsagain；clays，softlimestones，andclaysagain——whichallactasbufferstodeadentheearthquakeshocks，anddeadentootheearthquakenoise。

Andhow？

Putyoureartooneendofasoftbolster，andletsomeonehittheotherend。Youwillhearhardlyanynoise，andwillnotfeeltheblowatall。Putyoureartooneendofahardpieceofwood，andletsomeonehittheother。Youwillhearasmarttap；andperhapsfeelasmarttap，too。Whenyouareolder，andlearnthelawsofsound，andofmotionamongtheparticlesofbodies，youwillknowwhy。MeanwhileyoumaycomfortyourselfwiththethoughtthatMadamHowhas（doubtlessbycommandofLadyWhy）

preparedasafesoftbedforthisgoodpeopleofBritain——notthattheymaylieandsleeponit，butworkandtill，plantandbuildandmanufacture，andthriveinpeaceandcomfort，wewilltrustandpray，formanyahundredyearstocome。Allthatthesteaminsidetheearthislikelytodotous，istoraisepartsofthisisland（asHartfordBridgeFlatswereraised，agesago，outoftheoldicysea）soslowly，probably，thatnomancantellwhethertheyarerisingornot。Oragain，thesteam—powermaybeevennowdyingoutunderourisland，andlettingpartsofitsinkslowlyintothesea，assomewisefriendsofminethinkthatthefensinNorfolkandCambridgeshirearesinkingnow。IhaveshownyouwherethatkindofworkhasgoneoninNorfolk；howthebrowofSandringhamHillwasonceasea—cliff，andDersinghamBogatitsfootashallowsea；andthereforethatthelandhasrisenthere。

How，again，atHunstantonStationthereisabeachofsea—shellstwentyfeetabovehigh—watermark，showingthatthelandhasrisentherelikewise。Andhow，farthernorthagain，atBrancaster，thereareforestsofoak，andfir，andalder，withtheirrootsstillinthesoil，farbelowhigh—watermark，andonlyuncoveredatlowtide；whichisaplainsignthattherethelandhassunk。

YousurelyrecollectthesunkenforestatBrancaster，andthebeautifulshellswepickedupinitsgullies，andthemillionsoflivePholasesboringintotheclayandpeatwhichoncewasfirmdryland，fedoverbygiantoxen，andgiantstagslikewise，andperhapsbythemammothhimself，thegreatwoollyelephantwhoseteeththefishermendredgeupintheseaoutside？Yourecollectthat？ThenrememberthatasthatNorfolkshorehaschanged，soslowlybutsurelyisthewholeworldchangingaroundus。HartfordBridgeFlathere，forinstance，howhasitchanged！Agesagoitwasthegravellybottomofasea。Thenthesteam—powerundergroundraiseditupslowly，throughlongages，tillitbecamedryland。Andageshence，perhaps，itwillhavebecomeasea—

bottomoncemore。Washedslowlybytherain，orsunkbythedyingoutofthesteam—powerunderground，itwillgodownagaintotheplacefromwhenceitcame。Seaswillrollwherewestandnow，andnewlandswillrisewhereseasnowroll。Forallthingsonthisearth，fromthetiniestflowertothetallestmountain，changeandchangealldaylong。Everyatomofmattermovesperpetually；andnothing"continuesinonestay。"Thesolid—seemingearthonwhichyoustandisbutaheavingbubble，burstingeverandanoninthisplaceandinthat。Onlyaboveall，andthroughall，andwithall，isOnewhodoesnotmovenorchange，butisthesameyesterday，to—day，andforever。AndonHim，mychild，andnotonthisbubbleofanearth，doyouandI，andallmankind，depend。

ButIhavenotyettoldyouwhythePeruviansoughttohaveexpectedanearthquake。True。Iwilltellyouanothertime。

CHAPTERIII——VOLCANOS

YouwanttoknowwhytheSpaniardsinPeruandEcuadorshouldhaveexpectedanearthquake。

Becausetheyhadhadsomanyalready。Theshakingofthegroundintheircountryhadgoneonperpetually，tilltheyhadalmostceasedtocareaboutit，alwayshopingthatnoveryheavyshockwouldcome；andbeing，nowandthen，terriblymistaken。

Forinstance，intheprovinceofQuito，intheyear1797，fromthirtytofortythousandpeoplewerekilledatoncebyanearthquake。Onewouldhavethoughtthatwarningenough：butthewarningwasnottaken：andnow，thisveryyear，thousandsmorehavebeenkilledintheverysamecountry，intheverysameway。

Theymighthaveexpectedasmuch。Fortheirtownsarebuilt，mostofthem，closetovolcanos——someofthehighestandmostterribleintheworld。Andwherevertherearevolcanostherewillbeearthquakes。Youmayhaveearthquakeswithoutvolcanos，nowandthen；butvolcanoswithoutearthquakes，seldomornever。

Howdoesthatcometopass？Doesavolcanomakeearthquakes？No；

wemayrathersaythatearthquakesaretryingtomakevolcanos。

Forvolcanosaretheholeswhichthesteamundergroundhasburstopenthatitmayescapeintotheairabove。Theyarethechimneysofthegreatblast—furnacesunderground，inwhichMadamHowpoundsandmeltsuptheoldrocks，tomakethemintonewones，andspreadthemoutoverthelandabove。

Andaretheremanyvolcanosintheworld？YouhaveheardofVesuvius，ofcourse，inItaly；andEtna，inSicily；andHecla，inIceland。Andyouhaveheard，too，ofKilauea，intheSandwichIslands，andofPele’sHair——theyellowthreadsoflava，likefinespunglass，whichareblownfromoffitspoolsoffire，andwhichtheSandwichIslandersbelievedtobethehairofagoddesswholivedinthecrater；——andyouhaveread，too，Ihope，inMissYonge’sBookofGoldenDeeds，thenoblestoryoftheChristianchieftainesswho，inordertopersuadehersubjectstobecomeChristiansalso，wentdownintothecrateranddefiedthegoddessofthevolcano，andcamebackunhurtandtriumphant。

Butifyoulookatthemap，youwillseethattherearemany，manymore。GetKeithJohnston’sPhysicalAtlasfromtheschoolroom——ofcourseitisthere（foraschoolroomwithoutaphysicalatlasislikeaneedlewithoutaneye）——andlookatthemapwhichiscalled"PhenomenaofVolcanicAction。"

Youwillseeinitmanyreddots，whichmarkthevolcanoswhicharestillburning：andblackdots，whichmarkthosewhichhavebeenburningatsometimeorother，notverylongago，scatteredabouttheworld。Sometimestheyaresingle，likethereddotatOtaheite，oratEasterIslandinthePacific。Sometimestheareingroups，orclusters，liketheclusterattheSandwichIslands，orintheFriendlyIslands，orinNewZealand。AndifwelookintheAtlantic，weshallseefourclusters：oneinpoorhalf—

destroyedIceland，inthefarnorth，oneintheAzores，oneintheCanaries，andoneintheCapedeVerds。AndthereisonedotinthoseCanarieswhichwemustnotoverlook，foritisnootherthanthefamousPeakofTeneriffe，avolcanowhichishardlyburntoutyet，andmayburnupagainanyday，standingupoutoftheseamorethan12，000feethighstill，andonceitmusthavebeendoublethatheight。SomethinkthatitisperhapsthetrueMountAtlas，whichtheoldGreeksnamedwhenfirsttheyventuredoutoftheStraitsofGibraltardownthecoastofAfrica，andsawthegreatpeakfartothewestward，withthecloudscuttingoffitstop；andsaidthatitwasamightygiant，thebrotheroftheEveningStar，whohelduptheskyuponhisshoulders，inthemidstoftheFortunateIslands，thegardensofthedaughteroftheEveningStar，fullofstrangegoldenfruits；andthatPerseushadturnedhimintostone，whenhepassedhimwiththeGorgon’sHead。

Butyouwillsee，too，thatmostoftheseredandblackdotsrunincrookedlines；andthatmanyoftheclustersruninlineslikewise。

Lookatoneline：byfarthelargestontheearth。Youwilllearnagooddealofgeographyfromit。

ThereddotsbeginataplacecalledtheTerribles，ontheeastsideoftheBayofBengal。Theyrunon，hereandthere，alongtheislandsofSumatraandJava，andthroughtheSpiceIslands；andatNewGuineathelineofreddotsforks。Onebranchrunssouth—

east，throughislandswhosenamesyouneverheard，totheFriendlyIslands，andtoNewZealand。Theotherrunsnorth，throughthePhilippines，throughJapan，throughKamschatka；andthenthereisalittlebreakofsea，betweenAsiaandAmerica：butbeyondit，thereddotsbeginagainintheAleutianIslands，andthenturndownthewholewestcoastofAmerica，downfromMountElias（inwhatwas，tilllately，RussianAmerica）towardsBritishColumbia。

Then，afteralonggap，thereareoneortwoinLowerCalifornia（andwemustnotforgettheterribleearthquakewhichhasjustshakenSanFrancisco，betweenthosetwolastplaces）；andwhenwecomedowntoMexicowefindthereddotsagainplentiful，andonlytooplentiful；fortheymarkthegreatvolcaniclineofMexico，ofwhichyouwillread，Ihope，someday，inHumboldt’sworks。Butthelinedoesnotstopthere。AfterthelittlegapoftheIsthmusofPanama，itbeginsagaininQuito，theverycountrywhichhasjustbeenshaken，andinwhichstandthehugevolcanosChimborazo，Pasto，Antisana，Cotopaxi，Pichincha，Tunguragua，——smoothconesfrom15，000to20，000feethigh，shiningwhitewithsnow，tilltheheatinsidemeltsitoff，andleavesthecindersofwhichthepeaksaremadeallblackanduglyamongtheclouds，readytoburstinsmokeandfire。Southofthemagain，thereisalonggap，andthenanotherlineofreddots——Arequiba，Chipicani，Gualatieri，Atacama，——ashighas，orhigherthanthoseinQuito；andthis，remember，istheothercountrywhichhasjustbeenshaken。Onthesea—shorebelowthosevolcanosstoodthehaplesscityofArica，whoseruinswesawinthepicture。Thencomesanothergap；andthenalineofmorevolcanosinChili，atthefootofwhichhappenedthatfearfulearthquakeof1835（besidesmanymore）ofwhichyouwillreadsomedayinthatnoblebookTheVoyageoftheBeagle；andsothelineofdotsrunsdowntothesouthernmostpointofAmerica。

Whatalinewehavetraced！Longenoughtogoroundtheworldifitwerestraight。Alineofholesoutofwhichsteam，andheat，andcinders，andmeltedstonesarerushingup，perpetually，inoneplaceandanother。Nowtheholesinthislinewhichareneareachotherhavecertainlysomethingtodowitheachother。Forinstance，whentheearthshooktheotherdayroundthevolcanosofQuito，itshookalsoroundthevolcanosofPeru，thoughtheywere600milesaway。Andtherearemanystoriesofearthquakesbeingfelt，orawfulundergroundthunderheard，whilevolcanoswerebreakingouthundredsofmilesaway。Iwillgiveyouaverycuriousinstanceofthat。

IfyoulookattheWestIndiesonthemap，youwillseealineofreddotsrunsthroughtheWindwardIslands：therearetwovolcanosinthem，oneinGuadaloupe，andoneinSt。Vincent（I

willtellyouacuriousstory，presently，aboutthatlast），andlittlevolcanos（iftheyhaveeverbeenrealvolcanosatall），whichnowonlysendoutmud，inTrinidad。Therethereddotsstop：butthenbeginsalongthenorthcoastofSouthAmericaalineofmountaincountrycalledCumana，andCaraccas，whichhasoftenbeenhorriblyshakenbyearthquakes。Nowonce，whenthevolcanoinSt。Vincentbegantopouroutavaststreamofmeltedlava，anoiselikethunderwasheardunderground，overthousandsofsquaremilesbeyondthosemountains，intheplainsofCalabozo，andonthebanksoftheApure，morethan600milesawayfromthevolcano，——aplainsignthattherewassomethingundergroundwhichjoinedthemtogether，perhapsalongcrackintheearth。Lookforyourselvesattheplaces，andyouwillseethat（asHumboldtsays）

itisasstrangeasifaneruptionofMountVesuviuswasheardinthenorthofFrance。

Soitseemsasiftheselinesofvolcanosstoodalongcracksintherindoftheearth，throughwhichthemeltedstuffinsidewasforevertryingtoforceitsway；andthat，asthecrackgotstoppedupinoneplacebythemeltedstuffcoolingandhardeningagainintostone，itwasburstinanotherplace，andafreshvolcanomade，oranoldonere—opened。

Nowwecanunderstandwhyearthquakesshouldbemostcommonroundvolcanos；andwecanunderstand，too，whytheywouldbeworstbeforeavolcanobreaksout，becausethenthesteamistryingtoescape；andwecanunderstand，too，whypeoplewholivenearvolcanosaregladtoseethemblazingandspouting，becausethentheyhavehopethatthesteamhasfounditswayout，andwillnotmakeearthquakesanymoreforawhile。Butstillthatismerelyfoolishspeculationonchance。Volcanoscanneverbetrusted。Nooneknowswhenonewillbreakout，orwhatitwilldo；andthosewholiveclosetothem——asthecityofNaplesisclosetoMountVesuvius——mustnotbeastonishediftheyareblownuporswallowedup，asthatgreatandbeautifulcityofNaplesmaybewithoutawarning，anyday。

ForwhathappenedtothatsameMountVesuviusnearly1800yearsago，intheoldRomantimes？Foragesandagesithadbeenlyingquiet，likeanyotherhill。Beautifulcitieswerebuiltatitsfoot，filledwithpeoplewhowereashandsome，andascomfortable，and（Iamafraid）aswicked，aspeopleeverwereonearth。Fairgardens，vineyards，olive—yards，coveredthemountainslopes。ItwasheldtobeoneoftheParadisesoftheworld。Asforthemountain’sbeingaburningmountain，whoeverthoughtofthat？Tobesure，onthetopofitwasagreatroundcrater，orcup，amileormoreacross，andafewhundredyardsdeep。Butthatwasallovergrownwithbushesandwildvines，fullofboarsanddeer。

Whatsignoffirewasthereinthat？Tobesure，also，therewasanuglyplacebelowbythesea—shore，calledthePhlegraenfields，wheresmokeandbrimstonecameoutoftheground，andalakecalledAvernusoverwhichpoisonousgaseshung，andwhich（oldstoriestold）wasoneofthemouthsoftheNetherPit。Butwhatofthat？Ithadneverharmedanyone，andhowcoulditharmthem？

Sotheyalllivedon，merrilyandhappilyenough，till，intheyearA。D。79（thatwaseightyears，youknow，aftertheEmperorTitusdestroyedJerusalem），therewasstationedintheBayofNaplesaRomanadmiral，calledPliny，whowasalsoaverystudiousandlearnedman，andauthorofafamousoldbookonnaturalhistory。Hewasstayingonshorewithhissister；andashesatinhisstudyshecalledhimouttoseeastrangecloudwhichhadbeenhangingforsometimeoverthetopofMountVesuvius。Itwasinshapejustlikeapine—tree；not，ofcourse，likeoneofourbranchingScotchfirshere，butlikeanItalianstonepine，withalongstraightstemandaflatparasol—shapedtop。Sometimesitwasblackish，sometimesspotted；andthegoodAdmiralPliny，whowasalwayscuriousaboutnaturalscience，orderedhiscutterandwentawayacrossthebaytoseewhatitcouldbe。Earthquakeshockshadbeenverycommonforthelastfewdays；butIdonotsupposethatPlinyhadanynotionthattheearthquakesandthecloudhadaughttodowitheachother。However，hesoonfoundoutthattheyhad，andtohiscost。Whenhegotneartheoppositeshoresomeofthesailorsmethimandentreatedhimtoturnback。

Cindersandpumice—stoneswerefallingdownfromthesky，andflamesbreakingoutofthemountainabove。ButPlinywouldgoon：

hesaidthatifpeoplewereindanger，itwashisdutytohelpthem；andthathemustseethisstrangecloud，andnotedownthedifferentshapesintowhichitchanged。Butthehotashesfellfasterandfaster；theseaebbedoutsuddenly，andleftthemnearlydry，andPlinyturnedawaytoaplacecalledStabiae，tothehouseofhisfriendPomponianus，whowasjustgoingtoescapeinaboat。BravePlinytoldhimnottobeafraid，orderedhisbathlikeatrueRomangentleman，andthenwentintodinnerwithacheerfulface。Flamescamedownfromthemountain，nearerandnearerasthenightdrewon；butPlinypersuadedhisfriendthattheywereonlyfiresinsomevillagesfromwhichthepeasantshadfled，andthenwenttobedandsleptsoundly。However，inthemiddleofthenighttheyfoundthecourtyardbeingfastfilledwithcinders，and，iftheyhadnotwokeuptheAdmiralintime，hewouldneverhavebeenabletogetoutofthehouse。Theearthquakeshocksgrewstrongerandfiercer，tillthehousewasreadytofall；andPlinyandhisfriend，andthesailorsandtheslaves，allfledintotheopenfields，amidashowerofstonesandcinders，tyingpillowsovertheirheadstopreventtheirbeingbeatendown。Thedayhadcomebythistime，butnotthedawn——foritwasstillpitchdarkasnight。Theywentdowntotheirboatsupontheshore；butthesearagedsohorriblythattherewasnogettingonboardofthem。ThenPlinygrewtired，andmadehismenspreadasailforhim，andlaydownonit；buttherecamedownuponthemarushofflames，andahorriblesmellofsulphur，andallranfortheirlives。SomeoftheslavestriedtohelptheAdmiraluponhislegs；buthesankdownagainoverpoweredwiththebrimstonefumes，andsowasleftbehind。Whentheycamebackagain，therehelaydead，butwithhisclothesinorderandhisfaceasquietasifhehadbeenonlysleeping。Andthatwastheendofabraveandlearnedman——amartyrtodutyandtotheloveofscience。

Butwhatwasgoingoninthemeantime？Undercloudsofashes，cinders，mud，lava，threeofthosehappycitieswereburiedatonce——Herculaneum，Pompeii，Stabiae。Theywereburiedjustasthepeoplehadfledfromthem，leavingthefurnitureandtheearthenware，oftenevenjewelsandgold，behind，andhereandthereamongthemahumanbeingwhohadnothadtimetoescapefromthedreadfuldelugeofdust。TheruinsofHerculaneumandPompeiihavebeendugintosince；andthepaintings，especiallyinPompeii，arefounduponthewallsstillfresh，preservedfromtheairbytheasheswhichhavecoveredthemin。WhenyouareolderyouperhapswillgotoNaples，andseeinitsfamousmuseumthecuriositieswhichhavebeendugoutoftheruinedcities；andyouwillwalk，Isuppose，alongthestreetsofPompeiiandseethewheel—tracksinthepavement，alongwhichcartsandchariotsrumbled2000yearsago。Meanwhile，ifyougonearerhome，totheCrystalPalaceandtothePompeianCourt，asitiscalled，youwillseeanexactmodelofoneoftheseoldburiedhouses，copiedeventotheverypaintingsonthewells，andjudgeforyourself，asfarasalittleboycanjudge，whatsortoflifethesethoughtless，lucklesspeoplelived2000yearsago。

AndwhathadbecomeofVesuvius，thetreacherousmountain？Halformorethanhalfofthesideoftheoldcraterhadbeenblownaway，andwhatwasleft，whichisnowcalledtheMonteSomma，standsinahalfcircleroundthenewconeandnewcraterwhichisburningatthisveryday。True，afterthateruptionwhichkilledPliny，Vesuviusfellasleepagain，anddidnotawakefor134

years，andthenagainfor269yearsbutithasbeengrowingmoreandmorerestlessastheageshavepassedon，andnowhardlyayearpasseswithoutitssendingoutsmokeandstonesfromitscrater，andstreamsoflavafromitssides。

Andnow，Isuppose，youwillwanttoknowwhatavolcanoislike，andwhatacone，andacrater，andlavaare？

Whatavolcanoislike，itiseasyenoughtoshowyou；fortheyarethemostsimplyandbeautifullyshapedofallmountains，andtheyarealikeallovertheworld，whethertheybelargeorsmall。

Almosteveryvolcanointheworld，Ibelieve，is，orhasbeenonce，oftheshapewhichyouseeinthedrawingopposite；eventhosevolcanosintheSandwichIslands，ofwhichyouhaveoftenheard，whicharenowgreatlakesofboilingfireuponflatdowns，withoutanyconetothematall。They，Ibelieve，arevolcanoswhichhavefalleninagesago：justasinJavaawholeburningmountainfellinonthenightofthe11thofAugust，intheyear1772。Then，afterashortandterribleearthquake，abrightcloudsuddenlycoveredthewholemountain。Thepeoplewhodweltaroundittriedtoescape；butbeforethepoorsoulscouldgetawaytheearthsunkbeneaththeirfeet，andthewholemountainfellinandwasswallowedupwithanoiseasifgreatcannonwerebeingfired。

Fortyvillagesandnearly3000peopleweredestroyed，andwherethemountainhadbeenwasonlyaplainofred—hotstones。Inthesameway，intheyear1698，thetopofamountaininQuitofellininasinglenight，leavingonlytwoimmensepeaksofrockbehind，andpouringoutgreatfloodsofmudmixedwithdeadfish；forthereareundergroundlakesamongthosevolcanoswhichswarmwithlittlefishwhichneverseethelight。

ButmostvolcanosasIsay，are，orhavebeen，theshapeoftheonewhichyouseehere。ThisisCotopaxi，inQuito，morethan19，000feetinheight。Allthoseslopingsidesaremadeofcindersandashes，bracedtogether，Isuppose，bybarsofsolidlava—stoneinside，whichpreventthewholefromcrumblingdown。

Theupperpart，yousee，iswhitewithsnow，asfardownasalinewhichis15，000feetabovethesea；forthemountainisinthetropics，closetotheequator，andthesnowwillnotlieinthathotclimateanylowerdown。Butnowandthenthesnowmeltsoffandrushesdownthemountainsideinfloodsofwaterandofmud，andthecinderyconeofCotopaxistandsoutblackanddreadfulagainsttheclearbluesky，andthenthepeopleofthatcountryknowwhatiscoming。Themountainisgrowingsohotinsidethatitmeltsoffitssnowycovering；andsoonitwillburstforthwithsmokeandsteam，andred—hotstonesandearthquakes，whichwillshaketheground，androarsthatwillbeheard，itmaybe，hundredsofmilesaway。

Andnowforthewordscone，crater，lava。IfIcanmakeyouunderstandthosewords，youwillseewhyvolcanosmustbeingeneraloftheshapeofCotopaxi。

Cone，crater，lava：thosewordsmakeupthealphabetofvolcanolearning。Theconeistheoutsideofahugechimney；thecrateristhemouthofit。Thelavaistheorewhichisbeingmeltedinthefurnacebelow，thatitmayflowoutoverthesurfaceoftheoldland，andmakenewlandinstead。

Andwhereisthefurnaceitself？Whocantellthat？Undertherootsofthemountains，underthedepthsofthesea；down"thepathwhichnofowlknoweth，andwhichthevulture’seyehathnotseen：thelion’swhelphathnottroddenit，northefiercelionpassedbyit。ThereHeputtethforthHishandupontherock；Heoverturneththemountainbytheroots；Hecuttethoutriversamongtherocks；andHiseyeseetheverypreciousthing"——whilewe，likelittleants，runupanddownoutsidetheearth，scratching，likeants，afewfeetdown，andcallingthatadeepravine；orpeepingafewfeetdownintothecraterofavolcano，unabletoguesswhatpreciousthingsmayliebelow——beloweventhefirewhichblazesandroarsupthroughthethincrustoftheearth。Foroftheinsideofthisearthweknownothingwhatsoever：weonlyknowthatitis，onanaverage，severaltimesasheavyassolidrock；

buthowthatcanbe，weknownot。

Soletuslookatthechimney，andwhatcomesoutofit；forwecanseeverylittlemore。

Whyisavolcanolikeacone？

Forthesamecauseforwhichamolehillislikeacone，thoughaveryroughone；andthatthelittleheapswhichtheburrowingbeetlesmakeonthemoor，orwhichtheant—lionsinFrancemakeinthesand，areallsomethingintheshapeofacone，withaholelikeacraterinthemiddle。Whatthebeetleandtheant—liondoonaverylittlescale，thesteaminsidetheearthdoesonagreatscale。Whenonceithasforcedaventintotheoutsideair，ittearsouttherocksunderground，grindsthemsmallagainsteachother，oftenintothefinestdust，andblaststhemoutoftheholewhichithasmade。Someofthemfallbackintothehole，andareshotoutagain：butmostofthemfallroundthehole，mostofthemclosetoit，andfewerofthemfartheroff，tilltheyarepiledupinaringroundit，justasthesandispileduproundabeetle’sburrow。Fordays，andweeks，andmonthsthisgoeson；

evenitmaybeforhundredsofyears：tillagreatconeisformedroundthesteamvent，hundredsorthousandsoffeetinheight，ofdustandstones，andofcinderslikewise。Forrecollect，thatwhenthesteamhasblownawaythecoldearthandrocknearthesurfaceoftheground，itbeginsblowingoutthehotrocksdownbelow，red—hot，white—hot，andatlastactuallymelted。Butthese，astheyarehurledintothecoolairabove，becomeashes，cinders，andblocksofstoneagain，makingthehillonwhichtheyfallbiggerandbiggercontinually。AndthusdoeswiseMadamHowstandinnoneedofbricklayers，butmakesherchimneysbuildthemselves。

Andwhyisthemouthofthechimneycalledacrater？

Crater，asyouknow，isGreekforacup。Andthemouthofthesechimneys，whentheyhavebecomechokedandstoppedworking，areoftenjusttheshapeofacup，or（astheGermanscallthem）

kessels，whichmeanskettles，orcaldrons。Ihaveseensomeofthemasbeautifullyandexactlyroundedasifacunningengineerhadplannedthem，andhadthemdugoutwiththespade。Atfirst，ofcourse，theirsidesandbottomarenothingbutloosestones，cinders，slag，ashes，suchaswouldbethrownoutofafurnace。

ButMadamHow，who，whenevershemakesanuglydesolateplace，alwaystriestocoveroveritsugliness，andsetsomethinggreentogrowoverit，andmakeitprettyoncemore，doessooftenandoftenbyherworn—outcraters。Ihaveseenthemcoveredwithshortsweetturf，likesomanychalkdowns。Ihaveseenthem，too，filledwithbushes，whichheldwoodcocksandwildboars。

OnceIcameonabeautifulroundcrateronthetopofamountain，whichwasfilledatthebottomwithasplendidcropofpotatoes。

ThoughMadamHowhadnotputthemthereherself，shehadatleasttaughtthehonestGermanstoputthemthere。AndoftenMadamHowturnsherworn—outcratersintobeautifullakes。Therearemanysuchcrater—lakesinItaly，asyouwillseeifeveryougothere；

asyoumayseeinEnglishgalleriespaintedbyWilson，afamousartistwhodiedbeforeyouwereborn。YourecollectLordMacaulay’sballad，"TheBattleoftheLakeRegillus"？ThenthatLakeRegillus（ifIrecollectright）isoneoftheseroundcraterlakes。ManysuchdeepclearbluelakeshaveIseenintheEifel，inGermany；andmanyacuriousplanthaveIpickedontheirshores，whereoncethesteamblasted，andtheearthquakeroared，andtheash—cloudsrusheduphighintotheheaven，andburiedallthelandaroundindust，whichisnowfertilesoil。AndlongdidIpuzzletofindoutwhythewaterstoodinsomecraters，whileothers，withinamileofthemperhaps，wereperfectlydry。ThatI

neverfoundoutformyself。Butlearnedmentellmethattheasheswhichfallbackintothecrater，ifthebottomofitbewetfromrain，willsometimes"set"（asitiscalled）intoahardcement；andsomakethebottomofthegreatbowlwaterproof，asifitweremadeofearthenware。

Butwhatgivesthecratersthiscup—shapeatfirst？

Think——Whilethesteamandstonesarebeingblownout，thecraterisanopenfunnel，withmoreorlessuprightwallsinside。Asthesteamgrowsweaker，fewerandfewerstonesfalloutside，andmoreandmorefallbackagaininside。Atlasttheyquitechokeupthebottomofthegreatroundhole。Perhaps，too，thelavaormeltedrockunderneathcoolsandgrowshard，andthatchokesuptheholelowerdown。Then，downfromtheroundedgeofthecraterthestonesandcindersrollinwardmoreandmore。Therainswashthemdown，thewindblowsthemdown。Theyrolltothemiddle，andmeeteachother，andstop。Andsograduallythesteepfunnelbecomesaroundcup。Youmayproveforyourselfthatitmustbeso，ifyouwilltry。Doyounotknowthatifyoudigaroundholeintheground，andleaveittocrumblein，itissuretobecomecup—

shapedatlast，thoughatfirstitssidesmayhavebeenquiteupright，likethoseofabucket？Ifyoudonotknow，getatrowelandmakeyourlittleexperiment。

Andnowyououghttounderstandwhat"cone"and"crater"mean。

Andmore，ifyouwillthinkforyourself，youmayguesswhatwouldcomeoutofavolcanowhenitbrokeout"inaneruption，"asitisusuallycalled。First，cloudsofsteamanddust（whatyouwouldcallsmoke）；thenvolleysofstones，somecool，someburninghot；

andatthelast，becauseitlieslowestofall，themeltedrockitself，whichiscalledlava。

Andwherewouldthatcomeout？Atthetopofthechimney？Atthetopofthecone？

No。MadamHow，asItoldyou，usuallymakesthingsmakethemselves。Shehasmadethechimneyofthefurnacemakeitself；

andnextshewillmakethefurnace—doormakeitself。

Themeltedlavarisesinthecrater——thefunnelinsidethecone——

butitnevergetstothetop。Itissoenormouslyheavythatthesidesoftheconecannotbearitsweight，andgivewaylowdown。

Andthen，throughashesandcinders，themeltedlavaburrowsout，twistingandtwirlinglikeanenormousfieryearth—worm，tillitgetstotheairoutside，andrunsoffdownthemountaininastreamoffire。Andsoyoumaysee（asaretobeseenonVesuviusnow）twoeruptionsatonce——oneofburningstonesabove，andoneofmeltedlavabelow。

Andwhatislava？

That，Ithink，Imusttellyouanothertime。ForwhenIspeakofitIshallhavetotellyoumoreaboutMadamHow，andherwaysofmakingthegroundonwhichyoustand，thanIcansayjustnow。

Butifyouwanttoknow（asIdaresayyoudo）whattheeruptionofavolcanoislike，youmayreadwhatfollows。Ididnotseeithappen；forIneverhadthegoodfortuneofseeingamountainburning，thoughIhaveseenmanyandmanyaonewhichhasbeenburnt——extinctvolcanos，astheyarecalled。

Themanwhosawit——averygoodfriendofmine，andaverygoodmanofsciencealso——wentlastyeartoseeaneruptiononVesuvius，notfromthemaincrater，butfromasmallonewhichhadrisenupsuddenlyontheoutsideofit；andhegavemeleave（whenItoldhimthatIwaswritingforchildren）totellthemwhathesaw。

Thisnewcone，hesaid，wasabout200feethigh，andperhaps80or100feetacrossatthetop。Andashestoodbelowit（itwasnotsafetogoupit）smokerolledupfromitstop，"rosypinkbelow，"

fromtheglareofthecaldron，andabove"faintgreenishorblueishsilverofindescribablebeauty，fromthelightofthemoon。"Butmore——Bygoodchance，theconebegantosendout，notsmokeonly，butbrilliantburningstones。"Eachexplosion，"hesays，"waslikeavastgirandoleofrockets，withanoise（suchasrocketswouldmake）likethewavesonabeach，orthewindblowingthroughshrouds。Themountainwastremblingthewholetime。Soitwentonfortwohoursandmore；sometimeseightortenexplosionsinaminute，andmorethan1000stonesineach，someaslargeastwobricksendtoend。Thelargestonesmostlyfellbackintothecrater；butthesmalleronesbeingthrownhigher，andmoreactedonbythewind，fellinimmensenumbersontheleewardslopeofthecone"（ofcourse，makingitbiggerandbigger，asI

haveexplainedalreadytoyou），andofcourse，astheywereintenselyhotandbright，makingtheconelookasifittoowasred—hot。Butitwasnotso，hesays，really。Thecolourofthestoneswasrather"golden，andtheyspottedtheblackconeoverwiththeirgoldenshowers，thesmalleronesstoppingstill，thebiggeronesrollingdown，andjumpingalongjustlikehares。""A

wonderfulpedestal，"hesays，"fortheexplosionwhichsurmountedit。"Howhighthestonesflewuphecouldnottell。"Therewasgenerallyonewhichwentmuchhigherthantherest，andpiercedupwardstowardsthemoon，wholookedcalmlydown，mockingsuchvainattemptstoreachher。"Thelargestones，ofcourse，didnotrisesohigh；andsome，hesays，"onlyjustappearedovertherimofthecone，abovewhichtheycamefloatingleisurelyup，toshowtheirbrilliantformsandintensewhitelightforaninstant，andthensubsideagain。"

Tryandpicturethattoyourselves，rememberingthatthiswasonlyalittlesideeruption，ofnomoreimportancetothewholemountainthanthefallofaslateofftheroofisofimportancetothewholehouse。Andthenthinkhowmeanandweakman’sfireworks，andevenman’sheaviestartillery，arecomparedwiththeterriblebeautyandterriblestrengthofMadamHow’sartilleryunderneathourfeet。

Nowlookatthisfigure。Itrepresentsasectionofavolcano；

thatis，onecutinhalftoshowyoutheinside。Aistheconeofcinders。B，theblacklineupthroughthemiddle，isthefunnel，orcrack，throughwhichsteam，ashes，lava，andeverythingelserises。Cisthecratermouth。DDD，whichlooksbroken，aretheoldrockswhichthesteamheavedupandburstbeforeitcouldgetout。Andwhataretheblacklinesacross，markedEEE？Theyarethestreamsoflavawhichhaveburrowedout，somecoveredupagainincinders，somelyingbareintheopenair，somestillinsidethecone，bracingittogether，holdingitup。Somethinglikethisistheinsideofavolcano。

CHAPTERIV——THETRANSFORMATIONSOFAGRAINOFSOIL

Why，youask，aretheresuchterriblethingsasvolcanos？Ofwhatusecantheybe？

Theyareofuseenough，mychild；andofmanymoreuses，doubtnot，thanweknowasyet，orevershallknow。ButofoneoftheirusesIcantellyou。

Theymake，orhelptomake，diversandsundrycuriousthings，fromgunpowdertoyourbodyandmine。

What？Icanunderstandtheirhelpingtomakegunpowder，becausethesulphurinitisoftenfoundroundvolcanos；andIknowthestoryofthebraveSpaniardwho，whenhisfellowswantedmaterialsforgunpowder，hadhimselfloweredinabasketdownthecraterofaSouthAmericanvolcano，andgatheredsulphurforthemofftheburningcliffs：buthowcanvolcanoshelptomakeme？AmImadeoflava？Oristherelavainme？

Mychild，Ididnotsaythatvolcanoshelpedtomakeyou。Isaidthattheyhelpedtomakeyourbody；whichisaverydifferentmatter，asIbegyoutoremember，nowandalways。Yourbodyisnomoreyouyourselfthanthehoopwhichyoutrundle，ortheponywhichyouride。Itis，likethem，yourservant，yourtool，yourinstrument，yourorgan，withwhichyouwork：andaveryuseful，trusty，cunningly—contrivedorganitis；andthereforeIadviseyoutomakegooduseofit，foryouareresponsibleforit。Butyouyourselfarenotyourbody，oryourbrain，butsomethingelse，whichwecallyoursoul，yourspirit，yourlife。Andthat"youyourself"wouldremainjustthesameifitweretakenoutofyourbody，andputintothebodyofabee，orofalion，oranyotherbody；orintonobodyatall。AtleastsoIbelieve；andso，Iamhappytosay，ninehundredandninety—ninethousandninehundredandninety—ninepeopleoutofeverymillionhavealwaysbelieved，becausetheyhaveusedtheirhumaninstinctsandtheircommonsense，andhaveobeyed（withoutknowingit）thewarningofagreatandgoodphilosophercalledHerder，that"Theorganisinnocasethepowerwhichworksbyit；"whichisasmuchastosay，thattheengineisnottheengine—driver，northespadethegardener。

Therehavealwaysbeen，andalwayswillbe，afewpeoplewhocannotseethat。Theythinkthataman’ssoulispartofhisbody，andthathehimselfisnotonething，butagreatnumberofthings。Theythinkthathismindandcharacterareonlymadeupofallthethoughts，andfeelings，andrecollectionswhichhavepassedthroughhisbrain；andthatashisbrainchanges，hehimselfmustchange，andbecomeanotherperson，andthenanotherpersonagain，continually。Butdoyounotagreewiththem：butkeepinmindwiseHerder’swarningthatyouarenotto"confoundtheorganwiththepower，"ortheenginewiththedriver，oryourbodywithyourself：andthenwewillgoonandconsiderhowavolcano，andthelavawhichflowsfromit，helpstomakeyourbody。

NowIknowthattheScotchhaveasaying，"Thatyoucannotmakebrothoutofwhinstones"（whichistheirnameforlava）。But，thoughtheyareverycleverpeople，theyarewrongthere。IneversawanybrothinScotland，asfarasIknow，butwhatwhinstoneshadgonetothemakingofit；noraScotchboywhohadnoteatenmanyabitofwhinstone，andbeenallthebetterforit。

Ofcourse，ifyousimplyputthewhinstonesintoakettleandboiledthem，youwouldnotgetmuchoutofthembysuchroughcookeryasthat。ButMadamHowisthebestandmostdelicateofallcooks；andsheknowshowtopound，andsoak，andstewwhinstonessodelicately，thatshecanmakethemsauceandseasoningformeat，vegetables，puddings，andalmosteverythingthatyoueat；andcanputintoyourveinsthingswhichwerespoutedupred—hotbyvolcanos，agesandagessince，perhapsatthebottomofancientseaswhicharenowfirmdryland。

Thisisverystrange——asallMadamHow’sdoingsare。Andyouwouldthinkitstrangerstillifyouhadeverseentheflowingofalavastream。

Outofacaveofslagandcindersintheblackhillsiderushesagoldenriver，flowinglikehoney，andyetsotoughthatyoucannotthrustastickintoit，andsoheavythatgreatstones（ifyouthrowthemonit）floatonthetop，andarecarrieddownlikecorksonwater。Itissohotthatyoucannotstandnearitmorethanafewseconds；hotter，perhaps，thananyfireyoueversaw：

butasitflows，theoutsideofitcoolsinthecoolair，andgetscoveredwithslagandcinders，somethinglikethosewhichyoumayseethrownoutofthefurnacesintheBlackCountryofStaffordshire。Sometimestheseclingtogetherabovethelavastream，andmakeatunnel，throughthecracksinwhichyoumayseethefieryriverrushingandroaringdownbelow。Butmostlytheyarekeptbrokenandapart，androllandslideovereachotheronthetopofthelava，crashingandclangingastheygrindtogetherwithahorridnoise。Ofcoursethatstream，likeallstreams，runstowardsthelowergrounds。Itslidesdownglens，andfillsthemup；downthebedsofstreams，drivingoffthewaterinhissingsteam；andsometimes（asitdidinIcelandafewyearsago）fallsoversomecliff，turningwhathadbeenawater—fallintoafire—fall，andfillingupthepoolbelowwithblocksoflavasuddenlycooled，withaclangandroarlikethatofchainsshakenorbrazenvesselsbeaten，whichisheardmilesandmilesaway。Ofcourse，woetothecropsandgardenswhichstandinitsway。Itcrawlsoverthemallandeatsthemup。Itshovesdownhouses；itsetswoodsonfire，andsendsthesteamandgasoutofthetree—trunkshissingintotheair。And（curiouslyenough）itdoesthisoftenwithouttouchingthetreesthemselves。Itflowsroundthetrunks（itdidsoinawoodintheSandwichIslandsafewyearsago），andofcoursesetsthemonfirebyitsheat，tillnothingisleftofthembutblackenedposts。Butthemoisturewhichcomesoutofthepoortreeinsteamblowssohardagainstthelavaroundthatitcannevertouchthetree，andaroundholeisleftinthemiddleofthelavawherethetreewas。Sometimes，too，thelavawillspitoutliquidfireamongthebranchesofthetrees，whichhangsdownafterwardsfromthemintasselsofslag，andyet，bytheverysamemeans，thesteaminthebrancheswillpreventtheliquidfireburningthemoff，ordoinganythingbutjustscorchthebark。

ButIcantellyouamorecuriousstorystill。Thelavastream，youmustknow，iscontinuallysendingoutlittlejetsofgasandsteam：someofititmayhavebroughtupfromtheveryinsideoftheearth；mostofit，Isuspect，comesfromthedampherbageanddampsoiloverwhichitruns。Bethatasitmay，alavastreamoutofMountEtna，inSicily，cameoncedownstraightuponthetownofCatania。Everybodythoughtthatthetownwouldbeswallowedup；andthepoorpeoplethere（whoknewnobetter）begantopraytoSt。Agatha——afamoussaint，who，theysay，wasmartyredthereagesago——andwho，theyfancy，haspowerinheaventosavethemfromthelavastream。Andreallywhathappenedwasenoughtomakeignorantpeople，suchastheywere，thinkthatSt。Agathahadsavedthem。Thelavastreamcamestraightdownuponthetownwall。Anotherfoot，anditwouldhavetouchedit，andhavebegunshovingitdownwithaforcecomparedwithwhichallthebattering—ramsthatyoueverreadofinancienthistorieswouldbechild’stoys。Butloandbehold！whenthelavastreamgotwithinafewinchesofthewallitstopped，andbegantorearitselfuprightandbuilditselfintoawallbesidethewall。Itroseandrose，tillIbelieveinoneplaceitovertoppedthewallandbegantocurloverinacrest。Allexpectedthatitwouldfalloverintothetownatlast：butno，thereitstopped，andcooled，andhardened，andleftthetownunhurt。Alltheinhabitantssaid，ofcourse，thatSt。Agathahaddoneit：butlearnedmenfoundoutthat，asusualMadamHowhaddoneit，bymakingitdoitself。Thelavawassofullofgas，whichwascontinuallyblowingoutinlittlejets，thatwhenitreachedthewall，itactuallyblewitselfbackfromthewall；and，asthewallwasluckilystrongenoughnottobeblowndown，thelavakeptblowingitselfbacktillithadtimetocool。Andso，mydearchild，therewasnomiracleatallinthematter；andthepoorpeopleofCataniahadtothanknotSt。Agatha，andanyinterferenceofhers，butsimplyHimwhocanpreserve，justasHecandestroy，bythoselawsofnaturewhicharethebreathofHismouthandtheservantsofHiswill。

Butinmanyacasethelavadoesnotstop。Itrollsonandonoverthedownsandthroughthevalleys，tillitreachesthesea—

shore，asitdidinHawaiiintheSandwichIslandsthisveryyear。

Andthenitcools，ofcourse；butoftennotbeforeithaskilledthefishbyitssulphurousgasesandheat，perhapsformilesaround。Andthereisgoodreasontobelievethatthefossilfishwhichwesooftenfindinrocks，perfectineverybone，lyingsometimesinheaps，andtwisted（asIhaveseenthem）asiftheyhaddiedsuddenlyandviolently，werekilledinthisveryway，eitherbyheatfromlavastreams，orelsebytheburstingupofgasespoisoningthewater，inearthquakesanderuptionsinthebottomofthesea。Icouldtellyoumanystoriesoffishbeingkilledinthousandsbyearthquakesandvolcanosduringthelastfewyears。ButwehavenottimetotellabouteverythingAndnowyouwillaskme，withmoreastonishmentthanever，whatpossibleusecantherebeinthesedestroyingstreamsoffire？

Andcertainly，ifyouhadeverseenalavastreamevenwhencool，andlookeddown，asIhavedone，atthegreatriverofroughblackblocksstreamingawayfarandwideovertheland，youwouldthinkitthemosthideousandthemostuselessthingyoueversaw。Andyet，mydearchild，thereisOnewhotoldmentojudgenotaccordingtotheappearance，buttojudgerighteousjudgment。Hesaidthataboutmattersspiritualandhuman：butitisquiteastrueaboutmattersnatural，whichalsoareHiswork，andallobeyHiswill。

Nowifyouhadseen，asIhaveseen，closeroundtheedgesoftheselavastreams，andsometimesactuallyuponthem，oruponthegreatbedofdustandasheswhichhavebeenhurledfarandwideoutofancientvolcanos，happyhomesteads，richcrops，hempandflax，andwheat，tobacco，lucerne，roots，andvineyardsladenwithwhiteandpurplegrapes，youwouldhavebeguntosuspectthatthelavastreamswerenot，afterall，suchverybadneighbours。AndwhenItellyouthatvolcanicsoils（astheyarecalled），thatis，soilwhichhasatfirstbeenlavaorashes，aregenerallytherichestsoilsintheworld——that，forinstance（assomeonetoldmetheotherday），thereissoilinthebeautifulislandofMadeirasothinthatyoucannotdigmorethantwoorthreeinchesdownwithoutcomingtothesolidrockoflava，orwhatishardereven，obsidian（whichistheblackglasswhichvolcanossometimesmake，andwhichtheoldMexicansusedtochipintoswordsandarrows，becausetheyhadnosteel）——andthatthissoil，thinasitis，isyetsofertile，thatinitusedtobegrownthegrapesofwhichthefamousMadeirawinewasmade——whenyourememberthis，andwhenyouremember，too，theLothiansofScotland（aboutwhichIshallhavetosayalittletoyoujustnow），thenyouwillperhapsagreewithme，thatLadyWhyhasnotbeensoverywronginsettingMadamHowtopouroutlavaandashesuponthesurfaceoftheearth。

Forsee——downbelow，undertherootsofthemountains，MadamHowworkscontinuallylikeachemistinhislaboratory，meltingtogetheralltherocks，whicharethebonesandleavingsoftheoldworlds。Iftheystayeddownbelowthere，theywouldbeofnouse；whiletheywillbeofuseuphereintheopenair。For，yearbyyear——bythewashingofrainandrivers，andalso，Iamsorrytosay，bytheignorantandfoolishwasteofmankind——thousandsandmillionsoftonsofgoodstuffarerunningintotheseaeveryyear，whichwould，ifitcouldbekeptonland，makefoodformenandanimals，plantsandtrees。So，inordertosupplythecontinualwasteofthisupperworld，MadamHowiscontinuallymeltinguptheunderworld，andpouringitoutofthevolcanoslikemanure，torenewthefaceoftheearth。Intheselavarocksandasheswhichshesendsuptherearecertainsubstances，withoutwhichmencannotlive——withoutwhichastalkofcornorgrasscannotgrow。Withoutpotash，withoutmagnesia，bothofwhichareinyourveinsandmine——withoutsilicates（astheyarecalled），whichgiveflinttothestemsofcornandofgrass，andsomakethemstiffandhard，andabletostandupright——andveryprobablywithoutthecarbonicacidgas，whichcomesoutofthevolcanos，andistakenupbytheleavesofplants，andturnedbyMadamHow’scookeryintosolidwood——withoutallthesethings，andIsuspectwithoutagreatmanymorethingswhichcomeoutofvolcanos——Idonotseehowthisbeautifulgreenworldcouldgetonatall。

Ofcourse，whenthelavafirstcoolsonthesurfaceofthegrounditishardenough，andthereforebarrenenough。ButMadamHowsetstoworkuponitatonce，withthatdelicatelittlewater—

spadeofhers，whichwecallrain，andwiththatalone，centuryaftercentury，andageafterage，shedigsthelavastreamdown，atombyatom，andsiltsitoverthecountryroundinrichmanure。

SothatifMadamHowhasbeenaroughandhastyworkwomaninpumpinghertreasuresupoutofherminewithhergreatsteam—

pumps，sheshowsherselfdelicateandtenderandkindlyenoughingivingthemawayafterwards。

Nay，eventhefinedustwhichissometimesblownoutofvolcanosisusefultocountriesfaraway。Solightitis，thatitrisesintotheskyandiswaftedbythewindacrosstheseas。So，intheyear1783，ashesfromtheSkaptarJokull，inIceland，werecarriedoverthenorthofScotland，andevenintoHolland，hundredsofmilestothesouth。

So，again，whenintheyear1812thevolcanoofSt。Vincent，intheWestIndiaIslands，pouredouttorrentsoflava，aftermightyearthquakeswhichshookallthatpartoftheworld，astrangethinghappened（aboutwhichIhaveoftenheardfromthosewhosawit）intheislandofBarbados，severalhundredmilesaway。Forwhenthesunroseinthemorning（itwasaSundaymorning），theskyremainedmoredarkthananynight，andallthepoornegroescrowdedterrifiedoutoftheirhousesintothestreets，fancyingtheendoftheworldwascome。Butalearnedmanwhowasthere，findingthat，thoughthesunwasrisen，itwasstillpitchydark，openedhiswindow，andfoundthatitwasstuckfastbysomethingontheledgeoutside，and，whenhethrustitopen，foundtheledgecovereddeepinsoftreddust；andheinstantlysaid，likeawisemanashewas，"ThevolcanoofSt。Vincentmusthavebrokenout，andthesearetheashesfromit。"Thenherandownstairsandquietedthepoornegroes，tellingthemnottobeafraid，fortheendoftheworldwasnotcomingjustyet。Butstillthedustwentonfallingtillthewholeisland，Iamtold，wascoveredaninchthick；andthesamethinghappenedintheotherislandsround。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读