OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



565 



Fig. 22. The Crater of' Hiileakala, from a Photograph by Weed Bros. 



several hills which seem from the top like mole-hills, but in reality are five or six hundred 

 feet high, springing from a base eighteen hundred feet below the upper wall, — a glance at 

 the small white specks which move along the cliffs at the beholder's feet, — and the full 

 wonder of the place is recognized. It is not like the solemn grandeur of Mokuaweoweo on 

 Mauna Loa, nor like the black terrors of Kilauea, but it is still a scene of desolation, and a 

 mighty monument of the forces with which God builds the world. 



Although the walls are steep, it is possible to descend almost anywhere, the sand or 

 cinders having accumulated about the base of the rock cliffs. On the north and east are 

 two vast breaks from one to three miles wide, as deep as the crater, and extending to the 

 sea. Through these gateways two streams of lava found their way out, when, no one can 

 say, although native tradition would leave us to infer that it took place since the Hawaiians 

 came to these islands two thousand (?) years ago. Their appearance is in many places as 

 fresh as the streams of 1801 on Hualalai. 



The eastern or Hana break is completely floored with the hard lava stream and occasional 

 clinker beds, and for more than three miles from the crater a line of small cones extends 

 along the centre. About half way down the mountain, this flow emerges from its gorge 

 and spreads over the slopes to the southward in the form of a huge delta. It has blocked 

 up several ravines, showing its comparatively recent origin. The northern or Koolaii 

 break is quite similar in its formation, and extends directly to the sea. Both streams 

 doubtless belonged to the same eruption. The bottom of the crater is dotted with sixteen 

 large cones of regular shape, the acute end of their oval base being towards the north-cast. 



MEMOIKS BUST. SUC. NAT. HIST. Vol. I. Pt. 3. 



93 



