  Thermal multifragmentation of hot nuclei is interpreted as the nuclear
liquid--fog phase transition deep inside the spinodal region. The experimental
data for p(8.1GeV) + Au collisions are analyzed. It is concluded that the decay
process of hot nuclei is characterized by two size parameters: transition state
and freeze-out volumes. The similarity between dynamics of fragmentation and
ordinary fission is discussed. The IMF emission time is related to the mean
rupture time at the multi-scission point, which corresponds to the kinetic
freeze-out configuration.
