212 Contributions to Physical Geography. 



was difficult to muster a sufficient number of healthy men for 

 ordinary operations. 



2. Account of the Journey of the American Missionaries to 

 the Volcano of Kirauea.* 



In our last Number, we gave a very interesting description 

 of the crater of Kirauea, in order to illustrate the drawing of it 

 which accompanied the preceding number. The journey of 

 Mr Ellis, and the American Missionaries, to examine the vol- 

 cano, is too interesting to be withheld from our readers. 



After examining the crater, as described in our last Num- 

 ber, our travellers walked along the western side of it in 

 search of water, which they had been informed was to be found 

 in the neighbourhood, and succeeded in finding three pools, 

 where the water was perfectly fresh and sweet. These pools 

 appeared great natural curiosities. The surface of the ground 

 in the vicinity was perceptibly warm, and rent by several 

 deep, irregular chasms, from which steam and thick vapours 

 continually arose. In some places these chasms were two feet 

 wide. From thence a dense volume of steam ascended, which 

 was immediately condensed into small drops of water by the 

 cool mountain air, and driven like drizzling rain into hollows 

 in the lava, at the leeward side of the chasms. The pools, 

 which were six or eight feet from the chasms, were surround- 

 ed and covered by flags, rushes, and tall grass. Nourished 

 by the moisture of the vapours, these plants flourished luxu- 

 riantly, and, in their turn, sheltered the pools from the heat 

 of the sun, and prevented evaporation. We expected to find 

 the water warm ; but in this respect we were also agreeably 

 disappointed. When we had quenched our thirst with water 

 thus distilled by nature, we directed the natives to build a 

 hut for us to pass the night in, in such a situation as to com- 

 mand a view of the burning lava ; and while they were thus 

 employed, we prepared to examine the many interesting ob- 

 jects around us. Mr Thurston visited the eastern side of the 

 great crater ; and Messrs Ellis and Goodrich went to examine 



* From the Journal of Professor Silliman, who received some particulars 

 from Mr Goodrich, which are not given in Mr Ellis's Work. 



