384 W. T. BKIGHAM OX THE VOLCANIC PHENOMENA 



Mocuna Kea. — In the early part of January 1841, Dr. Charles Pickering made the ascent 

 of Mauna Kea, and the following facts are taken mainly from his account. 1 On the 10th 

 they left Hilo, and on the 12th reached the limit of the forest, about six thousand feet 

 above the sea. They passed a small but distinct lava-stream, and found the ground frozen, 

 and the pools of water covered with thin ice. The surface was undulating, broken by ravines, 

 and there were many conical hills varying in height from two to eight hundred feet. On 

 the 14th, they came to a desolate gravelly plain many miles in extent, and an Arctic flora 

 at once succeeded the vegetation of temperate climes. No lava-streams or clinkers were 

 seen, and in the distance rose six peaks whose bases were rough with blocks of lava, while 

 towards their tops scoria? of a red color with gravel prevailed. 



The highest peak is on the south, and near this Rev. Mr. Goodrich describes a lake 

 twenty-five rods in diameter. The terminal peaks are truncated cones with craters within, 

 and the angle of their outer slope is about 30°. The crater of Mokuaweoweo on Mauna Loa 

 was distinctly visible, being nearly on a level with the base of the summit cones. Caves in 

 the lava were common, and in one of these a gentleman from Honolulu found a few years 

 since a very curious idol, probably left there many years before by some of the natives who 

 ascended the mountain to cut stone adzes and poi pounders, as a large pile of stone-chips 

 was found near by. The stone used for these instruments is a solid phonolite containing 

 much feldspar, and takes a good polish. The kinds most prized are found here and on 

 Mauna Loa, and, judging from the large piles of refuse, the manufacture from these quarries 

 has been extensive. 



Vegetation is more various than on Mauna Loa and creeps up to the height of twelve 

 thousand feet, while on the latter it extends to ten thousand on the windward and only seven 

 thousand feet on the leeward. In the absence of tracts of pahoehoe and ridges of a-a the 

 slope is comparatively smooth and the ascent to the terminal cones is easily made on horse- 

 back from the western side at Waimea ; the usual course being to ride up into the forest in the 

 afternoon, spend the night there, and the next day visit the summit and return to this camp 

 or even to Waimea. In crossing the mountain to Hilo through the valley of the Wailuku, 

 it is necessary to proceed on foot, owing to the thickness of the jungle in the latter place. 

 The northern ridges of Mauna Kea have never been explored; and, as may be inferred from 

 the deep valleys and abundant streams near the coast, are much more difficult of access than 

 any other portion of Hawaii; but doubtless a rich harvest awaits the fortunate botanist who 

 shall penetrate into this region. 2 



Mauna Loa. — On Tuesday, August 2d, we left the hospitable house of Rev. J. D. Paris, 

 the missionary at Kaawaloa. The native magistrate, Kupake, had heard of our in- 

 tended journey and sent us two large dried fish, a most acceptable present, and a large 

 water-bottle. We secured as a guide an old goat-hunter, Ka&kakawai, and we had also 

 three native bearers and a pack-mule. For the first six or eight miles our road was the same 

 as when we ascended Hualalai, and, as then, we got wet through in passing the forest, this 

 time by a thunder-storm of short duration. We camped at night on the mountain-plain 

 near Judd's road, and in the morning sent back our horses, and prepared our raw-hide san- 

 dals for climbing over the rough lava, as there is no path for horses up the smooth dome of 



1 Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, vol. 2 Mr. Mann and myself found more than thirty new species 

 iv., p. 199. of plants in a region already partly explored. 



