330 Sketch of the Life of Mr, David Douglas, 



still improving, he cleared the wooded region, but night coming on 

 quickly returned to its edge and encamped. All were on foot 

 early on the 11th. After passing the last plants to be seen on 

 the ascent, viz : a gigantic composite {^Argyrojiliyion Douglasii) 

 and a small Juncus he begins his scientific remarks. 



" The great difference produced on vegetation by the agitated 

 and volcanic state of the mountain is very distinctly marked. 

 Here there is no line betwen the phenogamous and cryptogamous 

 plants, but the limits of vegetation itself are defined with the 

 greatest exactness, and the species do not gradually diminish in 

 number and stature, as is generally the case on such high eleva- 

 tions." 



" The line of what may be called the woody-country, at the upper 

 verge of which the barometer expresses 21-450 inches, thermo- 

 meter 46° at 2 P. M., is where we immediately enter on a region 

 of broken and uneven ground, with here and there lumps of lava 

 rising above the general declivity to a height of three hundred 

 to four hundred feet, intersected by deep chasms, which shew the 

 course of the lava when in a state of fluidity. This portion of the 

 mountain is highly picturesque and sublime. Three kinds of 

 timber of small growth are scattered over the low knolls, with 

 one species ofRuhus and Vaccinium, the genus Frag aria, and a few 

 Graminia, Filices, and some alpine species. This region extends 

 to bar. 20.020 in., air 40°, dew point 30°. There is a third 

 region, which reaches to the place where we encamped yesterday, 

 and seems to be the great rise or spring of the lava, the upper 

 part of which at the foot of the first extinct peak is bar. 20.010 

 in., air 39°." 



" 12th. At six o'clock, accompanied by three Islanders, and 

 two Americans, I started for the summit of the mountains ; bar. 

 at that hour indicated 20.000 inches, therm. 24° ; hygr. 20° ; and 

 a keen west wind was blowing off the mountain, which was felt 

 severely by us all, and especially by the natives, whom it was 

 necessary to protect with additional blankets and great coats. We 

 passed over about five miles of gentle ascent, consisting of large 

 blocks of lava, sand, scoriae, and ashes, of every size, shape and 

 color, demonstrating all the gradations of calcination, from the 

 mildest to the most intense. This may be termed the table land 

 or platform, where spring the great rent holes of the subterranean 

 fire or numerous volcanoes. The general appearance is that of the 

 channel of an immense river heaved up. In some places the 



