The vulcano's, or, Burning and fire-vomiting mountains, famous in the world, with their remarkables collected for the most part out of Kircher's Subterraneous world, and exposed to more general view in English : upon the relation of the late wonderful and prodigious eruptions of Ætna, thereby to occasion greater admirations of the wonders of nature (and of the God of nature) in the mighty element of fire.

A Chronicle of the Eruptions, and Burnings of Aetna.

1. In the time when the Janigenae, or posterity of Janus, going * 1.1 about to seek new Colonies, first entred Sicily, (which was about the year of the World 2600; almost as many years before Christ, as since; and almost as far as any Writings or Records;) there was so great a burning of the Mountain, as Berosus delivers it; that the new Planters, leaving the Island for sear of the Desolation, went to seek new Colonies and Seats in Italy; by no means in the least thinking that a commodious station, which the horrible fierceness of Nature had rendred so formidable, with so many, and so great, and

so deadly and tragical slaughters and destructions; so that hence, upon this occasion, seems to be introduced the Fable of Proserpina's Rape. (And hence perhaps may be concluded, that this Mountain has from the Creation, been used to vomit forth Flames, and may do so to the Worlds end; though Ovid divines otherwise.)

Aetna, which flames of Sulphur now doth raise; Shall not still burn; nor hath it burnt alwayes.

2. The Janigenae sometime after followed the Sicanians; who were drove away from these Eastern parts to the Western, by new Tempests and Whirlwinds of the Aetnaean Burnings.

3. In the time of the Argonauts, (about the year 2714, and * 1.2 above a thousand before Christ) which when the most ancient Or∣pheus had seen, sang thus.

But now arriv'd at th'Lilyboean Strait, We feel fierce Seas; On high Fires reach our sight, Of hot Enceladus, threatning dangers great.

4. In the time of Aeneas's expedition, who repulsed from the * 1.3 shoar of Sicily by the Cyclopses; and greatly terrified by the burn∣ing of the Mountain, left that deadly station. Virg.

And to unknown Cyclopian Coasts we run; The Port was great and calm, with sheltring shoars; But near, from horrid Ruines, Aetna roars, &c.

5. Under the Dominian of the Greeks in Sicily, viz. from the * 1.4 second Olympiad even to the 88th; viz. from about 3180, till to∣wards 3600, as Thucidides testifies, who lived in this time; The Mountain was all on fire, with three huge Burnings. A little after which time, the Mountain raging anew, is said to have drawn even Pythagoras himself into highest admiration. Also in the time of Hero, when Histories deliver, that even Empedocles, an observer of the Mountain, then perished.

6. In the time of the Roman Consuls; (for about 450 years) * 1.5 Four remarkable Burnings to have happened, is collected out of va∣rious Authors; Diodorus, Polybius, and others. Whereof, that be∣fore the Servile Wars, about 3830, was prodigious; The Mountain belching forth into vast Fires, and spread it self far and wide. Of which before.

It seems also to have reach'd Catania it self, when the two pious Brethren, before mentioned, rescuing their Father, perished all in the Flames.

7. In the time of Julius Caesar, (about fifty years before Christ) * 1.6 Diodorus delivers, that Aetna did again rage most violently; And which they will have, pertended the death of Caesar. For it is re∣ported to have been so great, that the Sea with its servour and boyling heat, burnt even the very Ships, as far as the Vulcanello's; Ad the Fish being extinct, and decocted or boyled. And so within twenty years that the Mountain burnt four times.

8. In the time of Caius Caligula, forty nine years after Christ, the * 1.7 Mountain did again rage so, that Caligula abiding at that time in Sicily, and possest with the terror of the impendent mischiefs, be∣took himself to safer stations there. Yet they relate, that Hadrian Caesar, in the greatness of his mind, to have ascended the Mountain very far, whilst yet it raged, to consider more nearly so great Mi∣racles.

9. About the Martyrdom of St. Agatha, the famous Martyr of * 1.8 Catania by whose merits and intercession (as they there fondly ima∣gine) it was effected, that the Mountain, although growing fierce, yet durst not touch or meddle with Catania. And so ever since have reposed great confidence in her, and her Reliques; which in this late fiery inundation, the Religious carried in procession, with multitudes of people, whipping and mortifying themselves, with all signs of penance. But enraged Vulcan would not be scarr'd away nor appeas'd so. And yet'tis like they will be fondly made to be∣lieve still, that 'tis by her vertue and merits that the City is pre∣served: For which (no doubt) she shall not lack her Festival Ho∣nours, and Publick Solemnities.

10. In the time of Charles the Great, in the year 812; who also * 1.9 much terrified with the fierceness of the Mountain, is said to have sought safer places.

11. From the year 1160, to 1169, all Sicily was shaken with * 1.10 huge Earthquakes, and the Mountain Aetna foming mightily, over∣threw all the circumjacent places with incredible desolation; with the ruine of the Cathedral Church of Catania; In which also the Abbot John with his Monks was overwhelmed, and perished: (St. Agatha was to blame sure, and too too unkind.)

12. In the year 1284, a fearful burning happened about the * 1.11 death of Charles King of Sicily and Arragon.

13. In the year 1329, even till 1333, the Mountain raged after an horrible manner; In the time of the King Arragon. * 1.12

14. In the year 1408, under King Martin. * 1.13

15. In the year 1444, even to 47, again and again. * 1.14

16. In the year 1536, even to 37, it sent forth a fiery floud, and * 1.15 Rivers of Flames; bringing desolation to the bordering places.

17. In the year 1554, raging more than ordinary, it battered * 1.16 Catania it self, its Suburbs and Fields, grievously. But St. Agatha forsooth, still came to help in time of need, and defended it still.

18. In the year 1633, even to 39, the burning raged by so much * 1.17 the more formidable, by how much it lasted the longer time; which seeing many have described, I will not insist in reciting it.

19. In the year 1650, raging afresh on the Northern and Eastern * 1.18 side, and bursting asunder the Mountains, it vomited forth such a quantity of Fires, that it almost brought Brontium into utmost ha∣zard and destruction, with its fiery Torrents.

20. Lastly, this present year 1669, the most horrible of this * 1.19 Age, for its mighty devastations, sorely threatning even Catania it self. And all respects considered, perhaps not inferior to any former Ages; according to the late publick Relation, universally known; For its fiery Torrent was as vast for length and breadth, as any of old; and approach'd the very Walls of the City, ruining many Houses near thereunto. And which is remarkable, by the huge quantities of congealed matter, hath formed a convenient Port over against the Castle, seventy foot deep in water, able to contain many Ships.

Corallary I.

From these things it plainly appears, that the Mountain, its matter being consumed, takes respit; sometimes for a greater, sometimes for a lesser space; till at length increased by new provision of com∣bustible matter, it breaks forth, and acts those Catastrophe's, which with admiration we read of. And yet it is so far from being diminish∣ed by so great an eructation of matter, that it seems rather to be aug∣mented. Sith indeed the Citizens of Catania digged for Pumice∣stones, and opening the Earth the depth of an hundred Palms, found Streets paved with Marbles, and various footsteps of Antiquities; which plainly teach, that Cities built here of old time, have been overwhelmed with the castings off, or rejectaneous offalls and off∣casts, not without the great increase of the Mountain. They found

besides, very many Bridges of Pumices, which were made, and consisted only out of the meer flux or flowing of the fiery Torrents; the Earthy softer substances being eat away. And of late, not far from the City, an Image of our Lady, was under Earth (as they say) accidentally found. Whose reputed Miracles have got her al∣ready much fame. From the ruines, no doubt, of some Religious Place, &c. Flame also now and then appears in the exalted or higher rais'd Earth; anon disappears: which are clear and conspicuous signs and tokens of the Earths being rais'd. Yet Aelian tells us, that as well Aetna, as Parnasses and Olympus, did appear to be less and less to such as sail'd at Sea. The height thereof sinking, as it seem'd. And thereupon supposes the decay thereof, and of the World. But an Answer is at hand to this; That it might then perhaps decrease in magnitude. For it may be sometimes, in some Ages, augmented; and sometimes diminished: But in the whole rather augmented. Or else; It was but a meer fancy and opinion. But these are known things. This one thing only hath, after a won∣derful manner, tortur'd the wits of Philosophers hitherto; In that they apprehend not whence the unsatiableness and greedy devouring of the perpetual fire should be supply'd with new and new food alwayes. And how the Pumices, Cinders and Ashes, and the other refuses of burnt matter, should in succession of time be converted into new materials, fit for fires. Which knot, that it may be un∣tied;

You may remember that before (elsewhere) we shewed; how that to the conservation of Nature in its perpetual & constant course, there was a necessity of an everlasting circulation and return round of things. In the Heavens, the Elements; the Air, Water, Earth, and its several sorts, soils, and Minerals, &c. even with the very Fire also, and its materials and nutriment. As appears in the per∣petual wheeling round of the Planets and Stars, by a constant and inviolable Law of Nature, so many thousands of years. The perpe∣tual motion and mutation of the Elements; alwayes unvariable in the greatest variety of things. The perpetual circulation of waters, both within, and about the Earth. All Rivers come from the Sea, and return to the Sea again; as Solomon, the Wise, hath confirm'd to us. The Sun dries up the vapours of the Sea; the vapours are received into rain, and return back to the Earth and Sea again. Elegantly expressed by Ovid;

The Earth resolv'd is turned into streams; Water to Air; the purer Air to slames. From whence they back return; The fiery flakes Are turn'd to Air; The Air thickned takes The Liquid form of Water; That Earth makes.

Or, as Dubartas has it;

The purest humour in the Sea, the Sun Exhales i'th Air; which there resolv'd, anon Return to Water, and descend again, By sundry wayes into his Mother Main.

Many therefore wondring whilst they behold Aetna burning so ma∣ny thousand years, how the Mountain should not be consumed by so long and lasting Burnings, Nor the Fire ever extinct. But

Bursting wide ope its Fornace Mouth, still streams With melted stones; still spues out Globes of Flames.

And by a thousand Fires, as Virgil exprest it before,

It spending still the fewel which it burns; Yet still to former strength afresh returns.

These certainly, if they understood the circling operations of Na∣ture, would not so strangely admire; when as food is never at any time wanting thereto, to perpetuate the Burnings. The Fires burn the Mountain, and convert the Miscellany, or mixture of combu∣stible matter into Ashes. Out of the Ashes mixt with Water, a new food and nourishment of everlasting Fire is generated;

Omnia continuo rapidos virtuntur in orbes; Naturâ motus perpetuante suos.

Which may be englished out of our Incomparable Cowly, altering a word from his extravagant allusion to drinking.

Nothing in Nature's constant found; But an Eternal course goes round.

This premised; I take for granted, First, That a great plenty of Salt lies hid in the Ashes: which even from hence is proved; That Salt is no wayes more easily got, than from a Lixive or Lee of things reduced into Ashes. By this means Nitre, Salt, Allom, in some more moist places, breaking or springing out of the walls and sides, as also in the dunging-places of Pidgeons and other Animals, first vegi∣tated and quickned with Urine, is dug forth in most plentiful store and abundance.

I suppose for granted, Secondly, That out of the humid Sea, tinctured and seasoned with a fat saltishness and mixture of other Mineral things; an huge quantity of Exhalations, together with the spirits, and insensible corpuseles of the said things, are extracted by vertue of the Sun. Which being both extrinsecally resolved into Rain, Hail, Snows, settle about the top of the highest Mountains; and also intrinsecally deriv'd through subterraneous passages of the Sea, do fertilize the matter of the Fire-houses under ground, with new provant.

These things supposed, I say, That the Fire perpetually powerful, and waxing strong in its Store-houses, is also by occult fibres and veins of the Sea insinuating and entering underneath, perpetually aug∣mented; whilst that it replenishes and recruits the matter consum'd away with fire, (as are the Ashes, and the most porous stones of Pumices) with a Sulphureous Soot, and Bituminous Spirits; And in some measure prepares and disposes it for an enkindling and in∣flamation. But when by the melting of the Hail and Snow; both with the fervent heat of the Sun, and also with the heat of so near Fire lurking within; and by the coming on of Rain, the Dust and Ashes be soaked through with a most plentiful bewetting; From hence a certain mixt matter is propagated, which insinuated more deeply within the porous recesles and spaces of the Pumice-stones; And then Sulphureous and Bituminous Spirits, which but now late∣ly lodged there, intervening to their help; at length ends (presently, as soon as it is waxen ripe) in a new food and nourishment of the Fire. And that this is so; I found by an irrefragable experiment, in the brinks and edges of the Valleys of Aetna, Vesuvius, and Strongylus, burnt up with Fire; in most of the Cindry and Ashy walls and sides of which I found an immense quantity of Salt, Allom, and Niere springing forth; In some also, a slowing and gushing forth of Bitumen, Napththe, and the like fat oily liquors, to∣gether her with a most copious quantity of Sulphur. Which have their

original from no where else; but partly out of the Cinders of com∣bust and burnt things; from which must necessarily be begot a new off-spring and succession of Salt and Nitre; Partly from the Sul∣phureous corpuseles or spirits; which while they continually exhale from the lowest Gulph of the Mountain, are condensed into Sulphur in the more cold climate of the Mountain. And so that mixt matter is generated, cut of Salt, Nitre. 'Allom, Bitumen' and Sulphur, which insinuated (as hath been said) into the pores of the Calx or Calcined Lime, or Ashes of the burnt and adust Pumice, and Stones, it administers that perpetual and everlasting fuel and food of Fire, which we have hitherto inquired after. For this, corrupted by the Fire, as it prepares new burnings; so the fat and sulphureous matter being burnt up, which lurk'd and lay dormant within the Pumices, undergo some respits, or truces, as it were; Till the capa∣city of the Pumices, and the remaining Calx, or Calcined Ashes, be replenished again, as was said, with the like new birth of combu∣stible matter. But now what happens in the exteriour and outmost surface of Aetna; It's certain, the same is effected in all other slam∣mivomous Mountains. Nature carrying it self after the same man∣ner alwayes. Yea, he that shall more narrowly and throughly dive into these things, he cannot be ignorant, that the process of Nature, which we have expressed in the exteriour surface of the Mountain; but that it keeps the same course and tenour, or order, in its inti∣mate and inmost Fire-houses, or Receptacles.

Corallary II.

Hence it follows, That the food and fuel of Subterraneous Fire, follows the Motion of the Sea, raging with a perpetual recipro∣cation of Flux and Reflux. For from the concitation and commo∣tion of the Tide, The Sea being thrust through occult passages and Burrows, at its bottom; as hath already been inculcated; and joyning its fat and humid, to the hot and dry, lodging under Sul∣phureous Glebes, in the intimate bosoms of the Earth; restores that which is consum'd away, with an uncessant conception and birth of a new generation. But in the external surface, by vapours attracted from the Sea, and which are fruitful, and even big with the said new Geniture (or Generation) of the Sea, it lies within the porous Hives or Cells of the now burnt matter, through the Snows, Hails, Rains, mixt with the Dust and Ashes, a new Geniture or Concep∣tion;

which in its time, the matter being now mature and ripe, may at length break forth into great Burnings. You see therefore the wonderful and indeficient Circulation of Nature in its opera∣tions.

Corallary III.

From these things it follows, that the formal cause of the Burnings * 1.20 of this Mountain, is the Fire it self. The material; Sulphur, and Salt, Nitre, Bitumen, and the like matters apt to cherish Fires, pro∣pagated by a perpetual motion from the intimate dark recesses of the Earth, and also from the incumbent Sea plying thereon. The In∣strumental; the Gavernous nature of the place; and the whole Bo∣dy or Bulk of the Mountain wholly full of Burrows, and hanging together aloft, and pois'd of it self, and perpetually burdened, and oppressed with Sulphureous Smoak and Soot. Lastly, the efficient * 1.21 cause, are Winds and Blasts, which flowing out of the most inward Caverns at this kind of vent or issue, and as it were at their proper gorges and open jaws, exuscitate with certain Bellows, as we may so say, the dorment Fires, to enkindle the matter, whatsoever shall be found next. Sith all Sicily is wholly bored through with innume∣rable Caverns and Burrows, as was before mention'd. Else where we have abundantly demonstrated, the wounderful Ragings and Tides of the Sicilian Streight, and the alterations of its flux and re∣slux; and also the insatiable force of the devouring gulf of Seylla and Charybdis; and how that it depends on the said Mountain; being disposed after a wonderful way and manner, in Subterraneous Shops, and work-houses, throughout the universal Islands. Of which thing, this may be a clear Testimony; that Charybdis tumultu∣ating after an unusual manner, Aetna also withal rages at the same time; being together with it, stirred up with the Spirit of Sediti∣on and tumult; and the sulphureous dens recieving into themselves the more vehement winds and blasts, thereby the combustible mat∣ter, agitated and puffed, no otherwise then as with Smith's Bellows, burst forth violently into huge Globes of Flames.

But other winds blowing, Aetna seems to take respit; for that the * 1.22 orifices of the passages are plac'd in a contrary way to the current waves and flouds of the Sea; and hindred by the neighbour Moun∣tain. But at the East and South winds blowing, according to the constitution of the channels, now Flames, sometimes Smoke, now and then Embers, Sparkles, and Flakes. But sometimes, the Fuel being

augmented in it self, it wonderfully rages with burnings, with a formidable stream and floud of Fire and Brimstone; which now and then it is wont to belch forth, out of the inmost shops of the aestu∣aries of fire under ground; with an huge destruction and ruine of the subjected Villages, Fields, Cities, and Cattel. The forerunners of which, are groanings of the Caverns, from intercepted and shut-up Spirits; Roarings of the Sea, joyn'd with trembling of the Earth; By all which coming so thick together, Nature, as it were, overpress'd, and impatient of bonds, breaks open all Prison Doors and Barrs, and rushes any way it can get out; and like a burning River or Floud, consumes, not only Fields, with the mighty rouling stream where∣with it is poured down, but also intire Villages; overturns neigh∣bouring Towns and Cities; and every where leaving footsteps full of horrour; devours Woods, Rocks and Mountains; and nothing is able to stand in its way. Of which things the Monuments of Hi∣storians are full.

We conclude therefore, the matter of Subterraneous Fire to be not only Sulphur, Bitumen, Pit-Coals: but also Allom, Salt, Nitre, Coaly Earth, and Calcanthum or Vitriol, and such kind of Metals. For Sulphur and Bitumen do not make the Fire so impetuous, as that Fire, which subverts Mountains, buries Cities in Ashes, and the e∣jectments of Pumices; and by an incredible violence, belches out stony and Rocky Mountains, out of the very Mountains; as hath plainly appear'd from what hath preceded. But some other thing must needs be adjoyned thereto; to perform this effect, which we go about to explain.

I say therefore that the universal matter of Subterraneous Fire, * 1.23 ought to be sharp and thick or gross, as Sulphureous and Bituminous matter are; whereto is joyn'd, with a great and necessary alliance of Commerce, Salt-peter; which having its substance replenished with most tumid spirits, and joyn'd to Sulphur, and enkindled; whilst it finds no exit or vent, it exercises that force upon the subterraneous obstacles, that lye in its way; which a little before we have ex∣pounded, (especially if crude Antimony, and Mercurial Spirits be superadded;) as sufficiently appears from the mighty efficacy of War∣like Guns and Cannons.

Furthermore, the combustible materials, they are not found but in Subterraneous Dens; of which sort, are divers kinds of Stones, various species of terrestrial Glebes, Metallick Mixtures and Miscel∣lanies of the other Minerals; And besides these, Salt, Allom, Salt-peter,

Salt-Ammoniack, and whatsoever is there found, even to the very Water it self. And even Mountains, and huge vast Stones are turned into matter and nutriment of the Fire; Then forthwith the matter generated only burns; and this being consumed away, the Fire is extinguished; and changing its station, invades another near unto it; as comes to pass in Bituminous Earths. Then afterwards the consumed matter, conceiving new Seeds, springs again; and a good while after is enkindled; which indeed if it be by a sudden generation born again in great plenty, as in Aetna, Strumbolo, the Phlegraean Plains, then they will burn with an everlasting Fire.

But the Generation of such kind of matters is made after this manner: The Sea replenished with fatness and unctuosity, while it enters the hidden Rooms and Chambers of the Earth, by and by nourishes anew the substantial parts of the Mountain extenuated with the Fire; and replenishes their substance, that hath lost its marrow and strength, with a new fatness; and if a way lie open into Sul∣phureous Vaults and Houses under ground, the water being driven in, will be turn'd into the nutriment of Sulphur; If into Bitumi∣nous places, into the nutriment of Bitumen; if into Aluminous veins, of Allom; And so of the rest, the same reason. And thus the Substances destroyed by the Fire, are repaired almost after the same way, that Iron is renew'd again in the Island Elva, the Mines for several years lying idle and fallow, as it were; and as stones, which they call Travertine, in the Fields of Tivoli.

But how the said matters should conceive fire, was above-said. As how indeed; scarcely from the Sun; not from Thunder and Lightnings; not from any other efficient: but from the very sub∣terraneous fire it self, making its way unto them through hidden passages of the Rocks, which it burns. Or, if they be not immedi∣ately touched by actual Fire; then certainly from the Marine waves and billows, intruded by the force and impetuousness of the Winds, through the Submarine gutters and chinks at the bottom of the Sea. For that it cannot be that from the vehement dashing of the billows in strait and narrow places, and the agitation of the spirits of combustible matter thereby, and the attrition or striking of the sat and Sulphureous Air, that they should not presently conceive Fire.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In the time of the Ja∣nigenae a∣bout the year 600.
• * 1.2

  In the time of the Ar∣gonauts. year 2714.
• * 1.3

  Of Aeneas his Expe∣dition, the year, 2768
• * 1.4

  From a∣bout 3180, til toward 3600.
• * 1.5

  In the time of the Ro∣man Con∣suls, from about 3440 to ••••••••.
• * 1.6

  Of Julius Casar. 3900.
• * 1.7

  Of C. Ca∣ligula Cae∣sar, in the year of Christ 49.
• * 1.8

  About the Martyr∣dom of St. Agatha.
• * 1.9

  In the year 812.
• * 1.10

  In the year 1160
• * 1.11

  In the year 1284.
• * 1.12

  In the year 1329.
• * 1.13

  1408
• * 1.14

  1444
• * 1.15

  1536.
• * 1.16

  1554
• * 1.17

  1633
• * 1.18

  1650
• * 1.19

  1669
• * 1.20

  The formal cause of its burnings. The ma∣terial; The in∣strumental cause.
• * 1.21

  The effici∣ent.
• * 1.22

  The Moun∣tain ejects Fires ac∣cording to the Winds.
• * 1.23

  What thing that may be which causes so great Ru∣ines of the Mountain.