Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857 Vol 2.djvu/380

Rh into contact with the walls of the heated cavity, may modify the effects of the spheroidal state. On the other hand, the experiments of Bontigny and others, indicate, that the most sudden production possible of steam, would take place from the walls of a focal cavity, heated to about 500° or 550°, which is but a few degrees below that, of the mean focal depth as ascertained, viz., 582° Fahr.

We may now apply these deductions to some considerations as to the limits of dimension of the wave of shock and the work contained in it.