a celebrated volcanic mountain of southern Italy, one of the principal and most active of the European volcanoes, is situated near the east shore of the Bay of Naples, 10 miles E.S.E. of the city of that name. It is unconnected with any mountain-chain, but rises in majestic solitude from the plain of Campania. It is about 30 miles in circumference at the base, and at a certain height divides into two points—the Somma, whose highest peak, the Punta del Nasoni, is 3747 feet above the sea; and Vesuvius proper, which, at Punta del Palo on the northern brim of the crater, attains an elevation of 3949 feet. The height, however, of the eruptive cone, and even its form, are frequently changed by eruptions. At the commencement of the Christian era, Vesuvius was considered an extinct volcano. The first recorded eruption took place A.D. 79, when the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii were destroyed, and a great number of persons lost their lives, among whom was the elder Pliny. Since that time about fifty-six great eruptions have taken place exclusive of numerous smaller ones. One of its most terrible eruptions was that of 1538, when Monte Nuovo was forced up in two days to the height of 413 feet, and with a circumference of 8000 feet. Another happened in 1681, which covered with lava most of the villages at its foot, and sent forth torrents of boiling water. The great eruption of 1779 was witnessed by Sir William Hamilton, who has given an account of it. At first it sent forth white sulphureous smoke resembling bales of cotton, exceeding the height and size of the mountain at least four times; and in the midst of this, stones, scoriae, and ashes were thrown up not less than 2000 feet. Next day a fountain of fire shot with such height and brilliancy that the smallest objects could be clearly distinguished at any place within six miles or more of the mountain. But on the following day a more stupendous column of fire rose three times the height of Vesuvius, or more than two miles. Among the huge fragments of lava thrown out during this eruption, was a block 108 feet in circumference and 17 feet high, and another 66 feet in circumference and 19 feet high, besides thousands of smaller pieces. The eruption of June 1794 was even more terrible than this, and destroyed the greater part of the town of Tolle de Greco. It has been well described by Breisac, who estimates one of its streams of lava, on that occasion, to have contained upwards of forty-six millions of cubic feet. During the early part of the present century the top of Vesuvius had become a rough rocky plain covered with blocks of lava and scoriae, and rent by numerous fissures from which clouds of vapour issued. By the violent eruptions of 1822, however, all this was thrown out, and replaced by a vast elliptical gulf or chasm three miles in circumference and perhaps 2000 feet deep. One of the greatest eruptions in modern times took place in May 1855, when vast floods of lava poured down the sides of the mountain, spreading desolation in every direction, and destroying the village of Cercolo. Before its close eleven cones were in active operation, the discharge from which was so great that at one time a total falling in of the mountain was dreaded. Since that time several eruptions have taken place, the last being in August 1859.