In 1632, a new gulf was opened on the top of the moun tain, and spread its lava over the hill of Mazara. In 1686, another eruption happened, which consumed woods, vineyards, and crops of grain for four leagues round. The progress of the lava was stopped for some time in the valley of lllusculi, upon which some persons ascended a hill in the neighbourhood to mark its courses, and were buried alive by the hill sinking inwards. Af ter a long interval, the eruptions of iEtna were renewed in 1755, when a prodigious torrent of water issued from the crater. The discharge of water was preceded by smoke and flames, subterraneous noise, and concussions of the earth, the usual signs of an approaching eruption ; xt length the torrent burst forth, and formed tremen dous cataracts in descending from one chain of rocks to another, till it tea, lied the cultivated plains, which it overspread for many nine's; and after separating into several deep and rapid Flt( •ti, it discharged itself into the sea. The ravages of this inundation, on account of both the quantity and heat ()I the water, was very cala mitous; the discharge did not continue about hall an hour. When it ceased, the noise, smoke. and com motions continued, and tss o new chasms were opened, from Nshich torrents of lava issued. In a few days after, a violent explosion happened, by which small stones were driven as far as the hills of Mascali, and black sand to the opposite coast of Calabria. In two days the moun tain opened again and discharged a torrent of lava. which moved towards the plain, at the rate of a mile a day, and continued for six clays. Recupero, who exa mined the course of the torrent of water mentioned above, informs us, that in its progress, it tore up a large forest of trees, sonic of which were two and two and a half feet in diameter: that the main torrent divided into four principal streams, and these again separated into smaller currents ; but afterwards reuniting, they formed islands, and large rivers about 900 feet wide, that frag ments of lava and huge rocks were removed b. the cur rent, and valleys filled up by the sand which the water s deposited. 1Vhen Recupero vi,ited the mountain after an interval of ten years from the eruption, the whole side of the hill bore marks of the deluge. In 1763, there was an eruption which continued with intermissions for three months. Toe flames which issued from the cra ter formed a noble spectacle. A pyramid of fire was seen to rise to a prodigious height in the air, like an artificial fire-work, attended with the explosion of a for midable battery, which shook the earth under those vs ho were spectators of the scene. The lava that flowed from the crater yielded a very brilliant light, retained it heat, and exhaled its smoke for two years, nor did any snow appear on the summit of _Etna lOr five years. In 1764, a new crater was opened at a considerable distance from .Etna; and in 1766, another was opened at the grotto of Patent°, which formed a hill, that after an in terval of loin. years discharged great quantities of smoke, with loud explosions. In 1730, several new craters were formed. Another eruption happened in 1787, and has
been accurately described by Gioeni ; it was preceded by the usual signs of an approaching eruption, after which, the lava began to flow from the hinder part of one of the two mountains that form the double head of 'Etna. On the next day a shower of fine black brilliant sand descended ; on the east side there was a fall of stones, and at the foot of the mountain were seen flashes of fire, with a deluge of sco•ix and lava. In the even ing conical flames appeared alternately to rise and fall from the crater ; at three the next morning the moun tain seemed to be cleft, the upper part resembling zt burning mass. Two of the conical flames, n iz, one on the north, and another on the south, were of an immense extent ; where these separated, another cone of flame. composed of many smaller ones, appeared to ascend above the mountain over a base of about a mile and a half in diameter, to a height supposed to be about two miles. This cone was covered with a thick smoke, in which were seen very brilliant flashes of lightning. Sounds resembling the explosion of large cannon were also occasionally heard. From the cone, as from a foun tain, there was perceived a jet of many flaming volcanic matters, which were thrown to the distance of six or seven miles; and from the base of the cone, there is ;Ailed a this k smoke, which darly-ned pails of the dame. This beautiful appearance continued lor three quarters of an hour. It began the next night with greater tome, hut lasted only for half an hour. In the intervals, /Etna threw out Ilames, smoke, ignited stones, and showers of sand. The eruption, as usual, ceased with the flowing of lava, As hich directed its course towards Bronte and the plains of Lago. There was another eruption in Oc tober of the same year, which has been described by Spallanzani. The stream of lava that issued on this oc asion was three miles in length, its breadth was in some places about a quarter of a mile, in others one third, and in other parts still greater ; its greatest depth was about 18 feet, and the least six ; and it directed its course along the west side of the mountain. • The last eruption happened on the 26th or 27th March, 1809. It burst out at the top in a most tremendous man Ler. Soon afterwards twelve new craters opened about half way down the mountain, and have continued for several weeks to throw out torrents of horning lava, which has covered several estates to the depth of 30 or 40 feet. For particulars respecting the causes and pro ducts of volcanic eruptions, see BAsALrEs, LAVA, and Voi.c.Axo.
For farther particulars respecting .Etna in general, our readers may consult the following authors: Borelli, Just, incend. Erna% „In. 1669 ; Jac. d'Orville's .Sicula; Brydone's nut-, vol. i; Sir NV. Hamilton's Canini Phle ; P11:10S'ilkiCal Trall.C(IC. 1669, vol. iv ; Phil. Trans. 1755, p. 209,909,1028, and Phil. Trans. 1671; Riedsdel's Travels in boil ; Swinburne's Trava.s., vol. iv; Spallan zani's Torre/s, vol. i; Dolomien and Honel's Voyage Pittoresque,. Faujas (IC St Fond 17/ineralogie des sans, 8vo. Paris, 1785. (.$)