The Polynesian., 1840-08-29
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1910.


frise. They lay mostly around the holes
which their trunks had formed, when the IL
quid mass consolidated about them; all be-
meath the surface of course being entirely
consumed, and leaving no traces except
few ashes. The lava was swollen up in
cones, and FORCES, split into deep chasms,
and twisted and cracked into every variety of
shape, resulting probably from its suddenly
cooling and contracting. The crevices were
lined with the most beautiful and delicate
forms of salt and sulphur, Of all the hues of
the rainbow. Fresh specimens were con-
tinualIy consolidating from the strong gases
which every where jcttcd out They cillor-
esced upon exposure to the atmosphere.
From every aperture, steam, smoke, and
uIrhurous vapors issued, so dense and
strong, that while it required the greatest
caution to avoid their suliocating currents,
they prevented us from seeing distinctly any
distance. The surface was still so hot as to
be painful to the feet, while in many places
beneath us, the juggling, cracking sound
of the still flowing lava, gave warning that
all wos not quiet within. The crust being
pulled up by bubbles of air, and extremely
brittle, frequently gave way beneath US
without the slightest warning, precipitating
us some feet before we found solid footing.
We had supposed that we should reach
the stream, somewhere about it's source. but
we found ourselves at most not more than mid
way from the shore. Mile upon mile of the
same dismal prospect of jagged lava, flame
and smoke could be traced inland, and after
an hours exploring where we were, we found
ourselves too much exhausted by the intense
heat and fatiguing clambering, to attempt
to follow the stream up. Besides, it was far
from being prudent, in its present state. The
Thermometer, three feet above the lava, rose
to 1920, and in the clefs it was too hot to
try it. We estimated its width where we first
struck upon it, at upwards of mile. The
lava every where appeared to be of uni
form character and presenting the same APP
pearance; being full of gli,tcring crystals of
pyroXne and Divine.
Turning back, we gained the edge of the
woods, and then followed the stream towards
the ocean in a northerly direction, where it
gradually wdened until tspread severaImilos,
forming sea ofhuge, black, solidfed waves.
On its sides, it frequently forced its way I'M
der ground, by galleries, throwing up the
soil in rugged hills, from ten to fifteen feet
high, then issuing to the surface again at a
considerable distance from its ingress. As
we approached the sea, volcanic sand show
ed itself in greater quantities, covering the
soil and trees to the distance of half mile
from the stream. The spiral branches of
the Pandanus were loaded with it, and near
the ocean it formed beds Of several feet in
thickness, making smooth walking where for
merly it was rough in the extreme. This
sand is of the same substance as the lava,
and was probably formed when the stream
/ reached the water, by the great conclusion
and reaction ofthe two opposite forces. The
lava cooling suddenly, shivered like glass
into millions of small PARTICLES, which the
strong trade wind drove back upon the
country.
After shirting the stream for several miles,
we turned to the left, and at five o'clock,
P. NJ, arrived at the sea. at a very romantic