The Polynesian., 1840-08-08

hair from our hands, and scOrch our cloth
ING and nothing but preciptate retreat saved
US from being enveloped in flames. The hot
air would frequently flash up from the assures
without warning, and it required much eau
ton and agility to escape from it, The
Thermometer over one fissure rose to 1890;
on the ledge, five hundred feet from the
brink, three feet above the ground, go, on
the lava at the same place 1890. Two feet
above fissure, 1880. Eighteen inches be-
low the surface, it rose instantly to 1860.
Continual heavy explosions were occurring
on the sides, sounding like muflled artillery,
throwing up stones, ashes and hot steam two
hundred feet or more into the air, and rend-
ing away the banks, tumbled large masses
of rock into the crater beneath Indeed, the
whole black ledge appeared like mere crust,
the igneous action beneath having eaten
away its support, and which the slightest shock
would precipate into the gulf beneath, and
| thus restore the crater to its ancient limits.
On the S. E. and s. sides, lava had gushed
lateralIy from the bank and flowed down
upon the ledge. Near here are the sui phur
hills, from which the finest specimens are
obtained They were beautifully coated with
fine white, blue and green salts, but owing
to the intense heat, and sntiocating fumes
of the gases, we were unable to secure
many. A little farther on, we found the
lava assures encrusted with the most beauti-
full crystals and etflorescences, which had
condensed into every variety of form and
figure, but too delicate to bear exposure to
the atmosphere. Having reached the south
ern extremity we obtained our first view of
the lake, the light of which had attracted our
attention the previous night. 1t was several
hundred yards in circumference, and in the
most sunken part of the crater. The lava
was twenty feet below its banks, liquid
body, boiling, bubbling and thrashing in
great fury. Occasionally it would become
encrusted over, and then a red streak would
shoot across its surface, like the darting of
lightning in heavy storm. In the centre,
the lava was tossed high into the air, with
putting suffering noise, like the blast of a
heavy bellows, mingled with the roar of surf
Its color was lvid. much resembling clotted
blood, Of which the whole might be taken for
an immense hel-brewed chaldron, and the
unearthly noises, for the means of agonzed
spirits, and the fendish cries of their tormen-
ters. The effect upon the imagination was
powerful, and the reality horrible and helhsh,
beyond description, TO the leeward the
So'7''NS 49," "'''hS5, requiring iIiIh NuutioH
to avoid the sitting currents of heated air
On the north west side filamentose lava.
commonly called Pele's hair, was thickly
strewed for many acres, like a field of mown
grass
Mr.. c. and myself having performed the
circuit until we were underneath where our
hut stood, where the bank having given way
to a considerable height, formed steep hill
which appeared quite practicable of ascent,
we proposed to shorten the distance by climb
ing up al this spot. No sooner thought of,
than we made the attempt, and reached the
first two hundred feet without any difficulty.
Here. the summit being hid from us, we held
a consultation whether to proceed or not
Upon looking down, we saw our natives
gazing in establishment at us, and urging us
to return, saying that it was impossible for
us to reach the top, and nothing but bird
could. However, like all obstinate person.
ages, we did not like to retrace our steps, so
we pushed ahead. A few rods more climb
ing, brought us to the perpendicular face
Of the rock, or rather rocks, which were
loosely embedded in earth, and relieved only
by some jutting points, and a few roots on
which but little dependence could be placed.
We were now so high that it was impossible
to descend as we could not see where to
place our feet beneath us, and the slightest
| InnL dnvay n.I, .I,t I