348 Volcanoes. 



The Rev. C. Steward has published an interesting account 

 of an ascent to the great volcano of Kirauea, in this island, 

 which has been copied, by Professor Jameson, from Silliman's 

 American Journal. (Jameson's Edin. Journ., vol. iii. p. 45.) 

 The crater of this volcano, instead of being the truncated 

 top of a mountain distinguishable at a distance in every 

 direction, is an immense chasm, in an upland country, near 

 the base of the mountain Mouna Roa; which is between 

 16,000ft. and 18,000 ft. high; approached not by ascending 

 a cone, but by descending two vast terraces ; and not visible 

 from any point at a greater distance than half a mile. It is pro- 

 bable that it was originally a cone ; but assumed its present 

 aspect (it may be centuries ago) by the falling in of the whole 

 summit. 



America. — For the knowledge we have of the volcanoes of 

 the American continent we are entirely indebted to M. 

 Humboldt. But, notwithstanding the indefatigable industry 

 of this naturalist, we may consider it as a fine field for personal 

 examination, as there are probably many that are yet unknown. 

 iThere are three active volcanoes in California, Mount Saint 

 Elia, Mount del Buen Tiempe, and Volcano de las Virgines. 

 The former of these is said to be 1 7,875 ft. above the level of the 

 sea. The five active cones of Mexico are all situated in a line, 

 and appear to be derived from a fissure traversing the country 

 from west to east, perpendicular to that of the great mountain 

 chain, which, extending from north-west to south-east, con- 

 stitutes the great table land of the American continent. Tuxtla 

 is the most eastern of this chain, and is situated on the south- 

 east of Vera Cruz. In the eruption of 1793, its ashes were 

 carried to Perote, a distance of fifty-seven leagues. Orisaba 

 (Jig. 46.) is 17,300 ft. high, but it has not recently been in a 

 state of activity. Popocatepec is 17,600 ft. in height, and is 

 the most lofty elevation in New Spain. Since the year 1530, 

 it has been in the phase of moderate activity. Colima was 

 discovered by Dampier, and is about 10,000 ft. above the level 

 of the sea. It was never known to eject lava, but frequently 

 throws up scoriae and ashes. Jorullo is situated between 

 Colima and Mexico, and an account of its eruption in 1759 

 has been already given. 



In the provinces of Guatimala and Nicaragua, which lie 

 between Mexico and the Isthmus of Darien, there are twenty- 

 one active volcanoes, and all of them situated between 10° and 

 1 5° N. latitude. On the southern side of the isthmus, in the pro- 

 vinces of New Granada and Los Pastos there are several others : 

 and in the neighbouring province of Quito we again come upon 

 an interesting series. Antisana, which is about 18,000 ft. 



