Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XVI.djvu/350

 330 VESUVIUS an elliptical chasm about 3 m. in circumference, and supposed to be 2,000 ft. deep. In May, 1855, floods of lava descended as far as the village of Oercolo, committing great ravages in the cultivated fields. In May, 1858, an over- flow of lava almost enveloped the hill on which stands the Hermitage. The eruption of De- VOLCANIC DISTBICT OF NAPLES. A. Astronl. B. Monto Barbara M. Monte Nuovo. 8. Solfatara. cember, 1861, was very violent. Eleven cones opened about | in. from Torre del Greco, from one of which flowed a stream of lava which threatened the town. Crevices opened in the streets, and many houses were shattered. In March, 18G5, the mountain was also in erup- tion, and again in December, 1867, continuing until the summer of 1868, when the cone at- tained an elevation of 4,253 ft. above the sea. On April 24, 1872, a great flow of lava suc- ceeded an unusual outpouring of smoke and flame which had lasted for several months. A large tract of cultivated land was desolated, the villages of San Sobastiano and Massa were destroyed, and many lives lost. The streets of Naples wore filled several inches deep with fine black sand. In December, 1875, the moun- tain again showed signs of activity, and in Feb- ruary, 1876, the disturbances of the instru- ments in the observatory indicated a speedy eruption, which began in the latter part of March. Vesuvius stands alone on the plain of Campania, on a base about 30 m. in circum- ference. The ascent from the bay on the W. side is by a gradual slope for about 3 m. to the base of the cone, where it attains a height of 2,300 ft. above the sea. Surrounding the cone on the N. and E. sides is the semicircular es- carpment of Monte Somma, the ancient cone, with precipitous walls on the inside and slo- ping gradually on the exterior to the plain below. On the S. side also of the cone is a terrace-like projection called the Pedamentina, supposed to be the continuation of Somma. The valley between Somma and the base of the cone is the Atrio del Cavallo, BO called because horses are left there by those about to ascend to the summit. The cone rises at an angle of 25 to 40 to an additional height of 1,600 to 1,900 ft., varying greatly after erup- tions. After that of 1845 its height above the VESZPREM sea was 8,87S ft., and after that of 1868 4,253 ft., the highest elevation ever reached up to that time. The top of the cone iu truncated, the diameter being about 2,000 ft. The inte- rior of the cone, or crater, slopes gradually to a depth of about 500 ft., which also varies greatly after eruptions. The lower strata of 1 Somma are formed of compact tufa, composed of pumice and ashes, inter- spersed with frag- ments of limestone. Upon these lie beds of lencitic lava alter- nating with beds of scoriae, and inter- sected by dikes of compact lava. The cone of Vesuvius is composed of concen- tric layers of lava, scoriffl, and sand, dis- tributed around it with much regulari- ty. According to Lyell, a greater variety of simple minerals are found in an area of three square miles around it than in any other place of the same dimensions on the globe. Prof. Scacchi has reduced the number, once said to be nearly 400, to about 40 species, most of which are found in the ancient lavas of Som- ma. A meteorological observatory has been established since 1 844 on an elevation near the Hermitage, 2,080 ft. above the sea, which con- tains besides meteorological apparatus delicate instruments for indicating earthquakes. It is now under the direction of Prof. Palmieri. In 1875 the construction of a railway from Naples to the summit of the mountain, over a line about 16m. long, was begun. Ordinary locomotives are to be used for 14 m., and a stationary engine and endless rope for the re- mainder of the way. The last division is in two sections, the first of 2,300 yards extend- ing to the Atrio del Cavallo, where the draw- ing machine and the necessary buildings will be placed, and the other of 1,200 yards end- ing a few steps from the crater. The station in the Atrio del Cavallo will bo 21 ft. under the lava, and the rails arc so guarded that tho current of lava in case of an eruption will bo turned from them. The wine called Lachry- mffl Christi is produced on the slopes of Vesu- vius, where also are most of the market gar- dens which supply Naples with vegetables. See Schmidt, Vulcanatudien (Leipsic, 1874) ; Pal- mieri, Cronacadel Vesuvio (Naples, 1874); and Phillips, "Vesuvius" (London, 1874). VKSZI'RKM (Ger. Wesprim), a S. W. county of Hungary, partly covered by the Bakony range, and at the southeast bordering on Lake Balaton; area, 1,609 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 201,- 434, mostly Magyars. The surface is moun- tainous or hilly, and the soil productive ; good pastures for cattle, sheep, and swine abound.