Crater of the Great Volcano of' Kirauea. 57 



iinconfined region above, the air became so oppressive as to 

 make us think seriously of a precipitate retreat. This continued 

 to be the case for the greater part of the afternoon. A dead 

 cahn took place both within and without the crater ; and, from 

 the diminution of noise, and the various signs of action, the vol- 

 cano itself seemed to be resting from its labours. 



Towards evening the smoke again rolled off to the south, be- 

 fore a fresh breeze, and every thing assumed its ordinary as- 

 pect. At this time Lieutenant Maiden, notwithstanding his 

 indisposition, succeeded in getting sufficient data to calculate 

 the height of the upper cliff. He made it 900 feet, agreeing 

 with the measurement of some of the missionaries some months 

 before. If this be correct, it is judged that the ledge cannot be 

 less than 600 feet above the bottom, thus making the whole 

 depth of the crater, that which I have stated it in the preceding 

 pages to be, 1500 feet. On similar grounds its circumference 

 at the bottom has been estimated at a distance of from 5 to 7 

 miles, and at its top from 8 to 10. 



Greatly to our regret, we found it would be necessary to set 

 off on our return early the next morning, all the provisions for 

 the natives being entirely expended. We could have passed a 

 week here with undiminished interest, and wished to remain at 

 least one day longer, to visit the sulphur banks on the eastern 

 side, which abound with beautiful crystallizations, and to make 

 some researches on the summit. We would have been glad 

 also, to have added to the variety of specimens we had already 

 collected, especially of the volcanic sponge, and capillary volca- 

 nic glass, not found on the side of the crater where we encamp- 

 ed. But it was impossible, and we made preparations for an 

 early departure. 



The splendid illuminations of the preceding evening were 

 again lighted up with the closing of the day, and after enjoying 

 their beauty for two or three hours, with renewed delight, we 

 sought a repose, which the fatigue of the morning had rendered 

 highly desirable. The chattering of the islanders around our 

 cabin, and the occasional sound of voices in protracted conversa- 

 tion among our own numbers, had, however, hardly ceased long 

 enough to admit of sound sleep, when the volcano again began 



