In the peninsula of Taman, near the entrance to the Sea of Azof, there is a group of mud volcanoes, from one of which there was a considerable eruption on the 27th of February 1793. It was preceded by underground detonations, and accompanied by a column of fire and dense vapour, which rose to the height of several hundred feet. The discharge of mud and gas was abundant. The accompaniment of fire and smoke makes this eruption more nearly resemble that of a true volcano. There is in the adjacent parts of the Crimea a mountain named Korabetoff, which also presents similar phenomena. On the 6th of August 1853, a column of fire and smoke was seen to rise from the top of this mountain to a great height, and it continued for five or six minutes. Two other similar but less violent ejections of fire and smoke followed at short intervals. These appearances were the accompaniments of an eruption of black fetid mud, which overspread the ground at the foot of the mountain to a considerable depth. A still more striking phenomenon occurred in the Sea of Azof, on the 10th of May 1814. On that day a column of flame and very thick smoke arose out of the water, with a loud report like that of a cannon, and masses of earth with large stones were tossed high up into the air. Ten eruptions of this kind succeeded each other at intervals of about a quarter of an hour; and after they had ceased for a time, they began again during the night. Next morning it was found that an island had risen out of the sea, between nine and ten feet in height, surrounded by a lower level of hardened mud. A strong fetid smell, probably that of petroleum, proceeded from the island, and extended for a considerable distance all round. [Illustration: Air Volcanoes of Turbaco] Another mud volcano, named Jokmali, near the Caspian Sea, was formed in November 1827. In this case, also, the ejection of mud was for several hours preceded by flames, rising to so great a height that they could be seen at a distance of twenty-four miles. Large pieces of rock were at the same time thrown up and scattered to considerable distances all round. The entire district in which this mountain is situated, has its soil copiously impregnated with petroleum, and numerous wells are formed for its collection. Quantities of this mineral oil are frequently found floating on the sea, along the neighbouring shores, where the sailors are in the habit of setting fire to this floating petroleum, while they dexterously steer their boats so as to avoid the flames. In this district also stands the city of Baku, held sacred by the Parsees, or fire-worshippers, who have here built a temple, in which are kept burning perpetual fires, fed by the naphtha springing from the ground.