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.

CHAP. IV. Of the Remarkables of Vulcano's, and their most prodi∣gious Phaenomena's, bitberto observ'd, in particular; With particular Relations, &c. (Book 4)

THus all the World over are found Eruptions of Fire by Natures * 1.1 own kindling, as if she kept House under-ground, and made several Hills her ignivomous and evacuating Chimneys.

In Ocmuzio, an Island of the Persian Gulph, all things are full of fires, whence 'tis said to have burnt seven whole years continu∣ally. It yet belches forth daily, out of the Saline Mountains, which it abounds with, globes of flames, whereby the most famous Mart of the whole East, is almost quite laid wast.

In Media, Susis, at the white Tower, breaks forth with fire, out of fifteen Chymney-holes, with such a vehement noise and sound,

that the People round about are perswaded the Gates of Hell to be there.

In Japon, above other Islands, Vulcan seems to have forg'd a number of his Shops and Work-houses, vomiting forth fire and smoak, night and day. And as it is seventy miles distant from the famous City Firandus; so by night they illuminate the whole Re∣gion, like so many blazing Torches, to the admiration of Beholders.

In the Island Java, the Mountain not far from the City Panacura, having not burnt for many years; (for some places burn alwayes, some by fits;) In the year 1586, raged with such a violent Erup∣tion, that ten thousand persons are said to have perished, in the sub∣jacent fields: and three whole dayes, darting forth mighty stones in∣to the said City, with fumes caused such a darkness, as hid the Sun, and turned day into night.

The Mountain Pico in the Island Timor, of such an height, that a flamy Spire or Pyramid was seen for three hundred miles in the Sea. This in the year 1638, had its very foundations shaken, by an hor∣rible Earthquake; and was wholly swallow'd up, together with the Island, leaving nothing behind it, but an huge mighty Lake. So the Annals of the Jesuites Society relate.

The Mountain Gounapi, in one of the Bandan Islands, in the year 1586, after continual burnings of seventeen years, at length burst asunder, sent forth such a quantity of stones, cinders, ashes, and sulphureous-Bituminous Pumice-stones, that the Sea almost cover'd therewith, all seem'd to burn, with the destruction of all Fish, and living Creatures.

In the Island Ternat, one of the Malacca's, there is an high and steep Mountain climbing up into the Clouds, whose lower parts are beset with thick Woods and Forrests, and upper parts peel'd and made bare with continual burnings. On the very top it hath a Cup or deep Mouth, with a vast gaping, made round into many circles, from greater to lesser, like an Amphitheater, or stage, one below another. This, at the time of the Aequinoctials, chiefly by the blast of the Northern winds, raging with smoak and flames, reduces all the neighbour places round about, overwhelm'd with ashes and cinders, into desolation.

The Maurican Islands seem wholly to burn, whence frequent Earthquakes; and casts forth out of Caverns, and the very top of the Mountain Thola, such quantity of flames, ashes, and stones, as big as great Trees, that it seems a kind of Hell.

The Atlantick Sea, west of Africa, so abounds with subterrane∣ous * 1.2 Fires, that Plato's Laud, call'd Atlantis, seems to have perish'd from no other cause, but as swallow'd up with the fierceness of these Fires; and the frequency of Earthquakes following thereupon. And to this very day certain Tracts of Seas are abundantly infested with shines and fires, issuing out of their store-houses; whose rage both Columbus and Vespuccius, to their great hazard, try'd.

Neer Hesperius, a Mountain in Ethiopia, the fields in the night all glitter with Light. As also a certain piece of ground does the like in Babylonia; and some places in Italy were noted before, for some such like thing.

Pliny, after reckoning up of the most notorious, concludes with the burning of the high and vast Mountain Theonochema, or Chariot of the Godds, in Africa, as the most famous example of this kind above all others; at least in those dayes. And ends, saying, In so many places, with so many fires, does Vniversal Nature burn and roast the Earth. And this great Naturalist, who perish'd, in pry∣ing too curiously into these dangerous prodigies of Nature, consider∣ing how full fraught the World is with this Element, and how pro∣pagative it is of it self, sayes, It is the greatest Miracle that an u∣niversal Conflagration of the World has not happen'd already, Tru∣ly it exceeds all Miracles, that there has been any day, wherein all things have not burnt. Those be his words.

Some of the Vulcano's in the Andes, in the Kingdom of Chile, were so big-belly'd, as it were, with fires, that in the year 1645, * 1.3 they brought forth so great Calamities, to that Kingdom; that no Pen is able to express, whole Cities every where being both swal∣low'd up, and overturn'd.

The City Paraquipa, ninety Leagues distant from Lima, has a neighbouring Vulcanian Mountain, continually darting forth fires, in so much that the People are sorely afraid, lest sometime it should burst asunder, and destroy the whole Countrey.

The Vulcano's of Guatimalla, are more terrible. In the year, 1586, almost all the City of Guatimalla, fell with an Earthquake. This Vulcano had then, for six months together, day and night, cast from the top, and vomited, as it were, great flouds of Fire. As is also observeable of the Vulcano of Quito, which cast such aboun∣dance of ashes, that in many Leagues compass thereabouts, it dark∣ned the light of day.

In Nicaragua, in North America, thirty five Leagues from the

City Leon, an high Mountain vomits forth flames in such abun∣dance, as to be seen for ten miles distance, and more. And another not far from Aquapulcus of the same fierceness.

Of these Vulcano's, some vomit out of their mouths smoke and ashes, or both: some fires, and there are some which never cast, either smoke, flames, or ashes; but in the bottom are seen to burn with a quick fire never dying. This impos'd upon a greedy Priest, and made him think it was nothing else, but heaps of Gold, melted in the fire, which he thought to have fetch'd up by letting down an Iron Kettle with Chains; But his device was not fire-proof, his Kettle and Chain melting so soon as they approach'd neer the bottom.

But the greatest wonder of all is that some of these Vulcano's have for some hundreds, nay for some thousands of years, cast out continu∣ally smoke, fire, and ashes.

For the European, to begin with the more Northern. And here first, who knows not the notorious Mountain Hecla, (and also * 1.4 Hegla and of the Holy Cross) in Izland, by the Relation of all Geo∣graphers, most remarkable, for mighty burnings. Mountains so ter∣rible for Thunder, flamings out of fire, casting abroad stones, ashes, stink, and smoke; that the more fanciful conceit, that Hell is begun there aforehand: which were more plausible, if the Apparitions that are seen there, were as true, as they are said to be frequent. And which seems a Miracle of Nature, its highest Top or Pike, is white, with perpetual Snow; and its Roots and sides blazing with unquenchable burnings. And the multitude of hidden Gulphs and Whirl-pits suffer none to come neer, for many furlongs. And by the Eructuation of stones, and ashes, reduces all the circumjacent Plain into barrenness; together with a formidable noise, and crackling. Which while the Inhabitants hear, they superstitiously believe, the Souls of the wicked, to be tormented there, with a miserable howling.

And even in Groenland, perpetually frozen with extreamest cold, next to the very North Pole, there is an huge Vulcanian Mountain, at whose Roots, is a Monastery of the Order of Preachers, call'd St. Thomas's, * 1.5 built of Tophas-stone, from the casting out of the Moun∣tains. Concerning which, Bartholomew Zenet, a Venetian, a dili∣gent Inspector and searcher into these things, I know not by what ac∣cident cast on these Coasts, relates many wonderful things. Here, sayes he, is seen St. Thomas's Monastery of the Dominicans. And not far distant an Ignivomous Mountain; at the foot whereof, a fiery Eountain breaks forth; With the Water of this Fountain, derived by

Pipes, not only all the Cells of the Moncks are made hot, like Stoves; but also their Meat dressed; yea, and their very Bread bak'd. The Mountain vonsits forth the Tophaz or Pumice-stone, which the whole Monstery is built of. For those Tophaz's soaked through with that hot Water, are cemented together, as it were, with clammy Bitumen. Here are also most pleasant Gardens, watered with boyling Water, in which are Flowers and Fruits of all kinds. And this Water, when it hath run through the Gardens, falls into a neighbour Gulph, or Port; whereby it happens, that it never is frozen; and therefore the Fish, and innumerable Birds and Fowl frequent there; wherewith the Inhabitants live in full plenty. So he writes, who saw and discover∣ed the Coast, the King of Danes chief Admiral, Nicholas Zenet, a Venetian.

Now it is most likely that the Vulcan's of Izland, and Groenland, have communication together, by hidden Burrows and Channels; and are perpetually imploy'd by secret Aestuaries, to allay the vehe∣mency of the Cold, and abundance of Ice. Whence also is drawn the Reason, why in some Northern Islands, and the Shores of Nor∣way, Finmark, Biarmia, Lapland, in one part the Sea is easily frozen with Ice; in another part, not at all, by no force of cold, or snows. Also in some shores most abundant Pastures, together with Trees, and most fruitful fields are found: In others, as in Nova Zemblia, neither Grass, nor Trees, nor any thing profitable for the nutriment of Man, to be met with.

There was also some Vulcanian Hill, Crater, or Pit, which burnt for sixteen years in Scotland, and consum'd a large quantity of ground. Even as now some Coal-Mines about Newcastle are said to have continued burning for several years of late, and 'tis likely do so still.

In Germany, was violent Eruptions formerly. Who in these latter Ages, hath ever heard, or read of such a Fire, issuing out of the Earth, as Tacitus describes? which burnt a whole Territory; against which Water was unavaileable; which could never be extinguish'd, but with Stones, Cloaths, Linnen, and Wollen, and other dry Materials cast thereon. Tacitus words run thus.

The City of the Inhonians in Germany, confederate with us (saith he) was afflicted with a sudden disaster. For fires issuing out of the Earth, burned Towns, Fields, Villages every where, and spread even to the Walls of a Colony newly built; and could not be extin∣guished, neither by Rain, nor River-water, nor any other liquor

that could be employed, until for want of remedy, and anger of such a distraction, certain Peasants cast stones afar off into it; then the slame somewhat slacking, drawing near, they put it out with blows of Clubs and otherwise, as if it had been a wild beast. Last of all, they threw in cloaths from their backs, which the more worn, and fouler, the better they quenched the fires. We have omitted the high Mountains in Lapland also, which Olaus relates, belch forth hi∣deous slames, like Aetna's.

In Greece the Mountain Nymphaeus stings out fire also, and pitchy bituminous matter; the fury whereof is enkindled by rain and wa∣ter: As also the fire of those Ignivomous Mountains of Lycia, and Pamphylia, in Asia minor, (not mentioned before) viz. The mon∣strous Mountain Chimaera heretofore famous for often belching forth Fires. It's Fire is the more inkindled with Water, but quenched with Earth, or Hay. As also the Hephaestian Mountains, near Chi∣maera; whose Earth, touched with a lighted Torch or Brand, sud∣denly takes fire; so that the stones burn in the very waters, and the fire is fed and nourished by Rains, and Waters. And if with a kind∣led, or burning brand, furrows be made in the Earth; Streams or Ri∣vers, as it were, of Fire, will run along after: As Pliny writes.

In the Mediterranean, in the Archipelago, the Island Santorin, has had formidable Fires and Earthquakes, as in the year 1650, from the relation of Fa. Fr. Riccard of the Jesuits society, who was pre∣sent, and an eye witness; and with his own mouth related the whole event, to Kircher, at Rome, afterwards; and by the following Testi∣mony, would have it known to posterity.

The Relation of Fa. Fr. Riccard, concerning Subterraneous Fires, which brake forth from the bottom of the Sea, in the year 1650. near the Island Santorin, in the Archi∣pelago.

ALthough some reprove Pliny of lyes, in that he relates certain stupendous things, above humane capacity: yet daily ex∣perience teaches us, that in many things he spake true; chiesly in the History of many Islands, which in succession as time arose and started up from the bottom of the Sea; and amongst others Thera, in the 135. Olympiad, (which was about the year of the world 3200.) It was also call'd Calista, and Phylothera; But now

Santorin, from St. Irene, the famous Virgin and Martyr, wor∣shipped there. For Baronius himself, in his Ecclesiastick Annals of the year 726. seems to give credit to Pliny. For thus he speaks. A vapor was seen to bubble forth out of a Chimny of Fire, between the Islands Thera and Therasia, (or Santorin) from the very bot∣tom of the Sea, for some dayes; whereby the burning of the fiery heat, by little and little being condensed, and dilated or spread, it all shewed like a fiery flaming smoak. Moreover, with the vastness of its earthy substance, it conveyed hugeous Rocky-Pu∣mice-stones, and certain great heaps, through all Asia, and Lesbos, and Abydus, and the Maretime Coasts of Macedonia; so that the whole surface of the Sea was filled with these Pumices. But in the middle of so great a Fire, there was an Island made, from the heaping and congestion of Earth together, and joyn'd to the Island called the Sacred, which never existed before. The like we understood happened in the year 1457, from certain Verses in∣graved on Marble, for the perpetual Memory of the thing: which near the Gate of the Castle Scarus of the said Island, run to this purpose.

Viz. 1547.

Magnanimous Francis, the Heroes undoubted Off-spring, Thou seest with thine eyes, what Calamities & Wonders; By joyning five times eleven unto two; on the seventh of the Calends of December, With a vast murmur, vast Terasia groan'd, And pluck'd assunder mighty Camena's stones; From the Sea's bottom, an huge Rock appears, A Monster great, and most Memorable for ever.

Further it appears, that there was another Island next to this, form'd in the year 1570. not without great Terror of those of Santorin. Sith the Burning lasted for a year, as some ancient folk, who saw it with their Eyes, do yet testifie. But in the middle of this smaller Island, which is now called Little Camena, to this very day is beheld an huge and profound ditch, which being narrow towards the bottom, by little and little inlarges it self round, like a funnel; out of which, as out of a Chimney, bursted forth those mighty Stones and Rocks, which co-mixed with the Cinders and Ashes, built that Bulk or heap, appearing aloft.

But that those Subterraneous Fires, which are fed with plenty of Bitumen and Sulphur, and sometimes break forth with greatest

violence, are never extinct, is evident, from most hot Waters, which are found at the Sea-shoar, in the furthest South part of the Island, and which the Inhabitants use, as the most healthfullest Baths, to expel diseases sprung from Cold.

But if ever those Fires, pent up in the bowels of the Earth, ex∣ercised their force, it was most of all then, when in the year 1650 on the 24th of September, even to the ninth of October, they shook that Island with so mighty and so frequent Earthquakes; that the people, viz. of Santorin, fearing nothing but immediate ruin, were on their knees night and day before the Altars. But it can∣not be spoke nor expressed what a fear invaded all; when those victorious flames, breaking open all obstacles, strove to make them∣selves a way through the midst of the Waters of the Ocean, about four miles from Santorin Eastward: For that forsooth the Sea, swell'd thirty cubits upwards, suddenly; and extending it self wide, through the Neighbouring Lands, overturn'd every thing it met in its way; In so much that the very Port of Candy which yet is 80 miles distant, it broke in pieces, with its sudden assault, and impetu∣ousness, both the Gallies and Ships. But the Air, infected with those ill-smelling and Sulphureous vapours, began to be darkened, and put on innumerable forms and appearances. Hence brandishing of fiery Lances and flammivomous Swords; thence darting forth bright and glittering Arrows. Here, as it were, terrible Serpents and Dragons flying; and there hideous Thunder-claps, Lighten∣ings, and Thunder-bolts, were stirred up.

And yet we could scarce see: for the eyes of all beholders were so hurt, with those sharp pricking and Sulphureous Smoaks and Vapours, that almost all became blind for three dayes; so as not only to see nothing, but were also seiz'd with so great and so grievous a pain, that they wept continually, and bewail'd their most miserable lot. But when they return'd to their free eyesight, they saw all their Silver and Golden, both Vessels and Garments, and all Pictures, drawn over with a yellow colour. And such a great multitude of Pumice-stones that fiery Gulph vomitted forth, that it covered the whole surface of the Sea, so that scarce any one could pass in a Vessel. It is most certain, that they were convey'd even to Smyrna, and Constantinople; and all Shoars and Coasts filled therewith. Now the force of this burning was greatest the two first months: Forasmuch as the Neighbour-Sea seem'd even to bubble like a boyling Pot; And night and day huge

Globes and flakes of Flames, and most thick heaps of furled pit∣chy Smoak mounted up.

Which if at any time, by an adverse wind, were carried to the next places, brought, besides a most grievous stink, destruction both to Birds, Beasts, yea and to very Men themselves. As it hap∣pened the ninth of October, and fourth of November, that fifty Husbandmen choak'd with the smoak and stench, most miserably perish'd; besides an innumerable multitude of Birds, Sheep, Oxen and Asses. The same happened to nine Mariners, who passing by night that way, in their Vessel, after three dayes, were found all half burnt, and were buryed in the Island Nio, sixty miles distant from Santorine.

But the other four Months, although that Hellish Hearth or Fur∣nace, remitted much of its vigor and fierce heat, and could scarce lift it self above the waves: yet nevertheless it seem'd both to cast out Pumice-stones, and even to labour and strive towards the forma∣tion of a New Island: which although it does not yet appear above Water, yet in a calm Sea, a shallow Ford is observ'd, which the Water swims over, scarce eight cubits high. But now if it be ask'd, Whether yet these Fires are quite allayed? 'Tis answered, That they seem sometimes to revive: Sith 'tis diligently observ'd, that the Sea boyls and rages there very often, and sends up smoak with the waves; And especially this year 1656, the 11th day of June, and three dayes following.

Even the Geographick Dictionaries also record, that both this Santorine, and the other little Island by, to have arose out of the Sea of late years; the one an hundred years since, and the other fifty. And that the Sea is exceeding deep thereabouts; and huge and fear∣full Noises to be there heard.

Italy, Sicily, together with the neighbouring Islands of the Medi∣terranean, corresponding with them, &c. are most notorious; But of them, and their Remarkables, and particular Relations by them∣selves, in the next Chapter.

In the Atlantick Ocean, Westward; the Azores or Tercera's, can scarce be inhabited for the vehemency of Fires, and Earthquakes together therewith; Which about twenty years since, so shook the universal Island of St. Michael, and made so great ravagings, that it almost wholly sunk in an Abysse or bottomless Gulph.

For on June the 26th, in the year 1638, formidable Earth∣quakes began to make the universal Island shake and quake, for

the space of eight dayes; so that the Cities, Towns and Castles being deserted, Men were forc'd to dwell in the open Fields; chiefly those of Vargen, where the Earthquakes raged more dan∣gerously than in other places. After which Earthquakes, succeeded the following Prodigy. Six miles distant from the Pick (commonly called the Pick of Camerine) is a place called Ferreira, where Fisher-men with their Boats were wont to fish, especially in the Sum∣mer-time. For there in a dayes time, they caught such a multi∣tude of Fish of all kinds, as no Boat returned laden with less than ten thousand Fish. In this tract therefore of the Ocean, on Satur∣day in the month of July, in the year 1638, Fire broke forth with such an unexpressible violence, notwithstanding the depth of the said place of the Ocean, found often heretofore by the Fishers to be an 120 foot deep; that indeed the very Ocean would not suf∣fice to éxtinguish so great a burning. The space which the boyl∣ing fire took up, was as great as would serve for the sowing of two Bushels of Wheat; breaking forth with so great violence, that notwithstanding the said profundity of the Ocean, it reach'd as high as the Clouds; being elevated into the supream Region of the Air; carrying with it the very Water, Sand, Earth, Stones, and other mighty heaps, just like Featherbeds flying up into the Air. Which afar off appear'd a sad spectacle to Beholders; But the melted matter returning down into the Sea again, resembled a kind of Pultis or Frumenty. Moreover, it is to be ascribed to the benignity of the Divine Providence, that at that time the Wind was terrestrial, rushing forth from the parts of the Island, against the rage of the outragious Fire; without which, the whole Island had without doubt been burnt, and perished with this formidable combustion. Then presently after it cast forth stones of such vast bigness, of the height of three Lances, or piked Staves; that you would say, not Stones, but entire Mountains were cast out. And this was added to the horror; That the stony Mountains which were cast forth on high, falling back again, and meeting and dash∣ing against others, thrown out aloft, at a good distance, out of the bowels of the Sea, broke into a thousand pieces with a terrible noise and ratling; which afterwards being took up into your hands, mouldred into a black Sand.

Moreover, out of the various and vast multitude of rejected Of∣falls, and the collection and heaping together of innumerable stones, a new Island arose, and that even in the midst of the most

deep Ocean. In the beginning indeed, little, of five Acres only; but daily encreasing, grew to such a bigness, that four dayes after it took up the length of five miles. And so great a multitude of Fish perished with this burning, as scarce eight Ships of Indian Burden could contain; which being dispersed far and wide, up and down the Island, lest they should cause some Contagion by their putrisaction, they were collected together by the Inhabi∣tants all about, and buried in most deep-dugg ditches for eighteen miles round about. But the scent of Sulphur was smelt for the space of twenty four miles. This from the Relation of the Fa∣thers of the Society.

These visible instances of particular Burnings of the Earth, are notable presumptions, that there are laid in the hidden Mines of Providence, such a provision of combustible matter, as will serve for an Universal Conflagration of the Earth, when the day of Venge∣ance shall make use of these Treasuries of Wrath.

We might add further Arguments of Subterraneous Fires, and the Fewel thereof; from Earthquakes, and hot Fountains; Of which there are some in Peru, as Acosta reports, that are so hot, that a Man cannot endure his hand so long, as the repeating of an Ave-Marie. There be infinite numbers of these in the Province of Charchas. He makes mention also, in the same place, of several Springs and Foun∣tains that run with Pitch and Rosin. Which yet seems nothing so strange, as those Baths Fallopius speaks of, in the Territories of Par∣ma, whose Water catches Fire at a distance; But these are some∣thing from our present design, and therefore pass them by.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of Asia, and the Eastern Islands, &c.
• * 1.2

  Of Africa, &c.
• * 1.3

  Of Ameri∣ca, &c.
• * 1.4

  Of Eu∣rope, &c.
• * 1.5

  The Won∣ders of St. Thomas Monastery in Groen∣land, &c.