Mr Stewart on the Crater of the Volcano of Kirauea. 45 



plicated and expensive. From the points of the wires within it, 

 being so near each other, the galvanic action is procured in its 

 greatest intensity, and the products from each wire are, never- 

 theless, separately obtained. But, when corrosive fluids are used, 

 such as the nitric acid (a substance well fitted for illustrating the 

 action of galvanism in effecting decomposition, on account of the 

 rapidity with which the affinity of its elements is thus overcome), 

 it is much more decidedly superior. The quantity of liquid used 

 is comparatively small ; there is a greater facility of filling or 

 emptying, without coming in contact with the corrosive matter; 

 and, from there being only one opening, it is more manageable, 

 and there is much less risk of the fluid escaping from the vessels, 

 and being thrown about.by the pressure of the gas produced. 



Account of an Ascent to the Crater of the Great Volcano of 

 Kirauea. By the Reverend Charles Stewart, late Mis- 

 sionary at Hawaii. 



rwy 



X HE very striking picture of volcanic phenomena contained 



in the following " Account,'"* has just appeared in Dr Silliman's 

 excellent Journal. It is delightful to observe the increasing at- 

 tention of missionary travellers to Natural History. In former 

 times, much of our knowledge in this pleasing and important 

 branch 3 of science was derived from the missionaries; — for a 

 period, they ceased to bestow any attention on it, — but, now, 

 fortunately for their own credit and general utility, they are cul- 

 tivating it with ardour and effect. 



" Jnly 2. 1825.— Early on Monday the 27th of June, we 

 commence ^ 'ir proposed excursion to the volcano. The party 

 from the i^i^nde, consisted of Lord Byron, Mr Ball first Lieu- 

 tenant, Lieutenant Maiden the Surveyor, Mr Davis the Sur- 

 geon, Reverend Mr Bloxam the Chaplain, Mr A. Bloxam the 

 Mineralogist, Mr Dampier the Artist, Mr White a son of the 

 Earl of Bantry, and Mr Powell Midshipman. Maro, a prin- 

 cipal chief of the district of Hido, had been appointed by Kaa- 

 humanu (favourite Queen of Tamehameha the first). Caterer 

 General, and about 100 natives under his authority, carried our 



