342 Sketch of the Life of Mr, David Douglas, 



these openings presents a truly novel spectacle. From some, and 

 occasionally indeed from the same mouth, the streams may be 

 seen pressed forward transversely, or in curved segments, while 

 other channels present a floating appearance ; occasionally the 

 circular tortuous masses resemble gigantic cables, or are drawn 

 into cords, or even capillary threads, finer than any silken thread, 

 and carried to a great distance by the wind. The activity of these 

 funnels may be inferred from the quantity of slag lying round 

 them, its size, and the distance to which it has been thrown. 

 Walking was rendered dangerous by the multitude of fissures, 

 many of which are but slightly covered by a thin crust, and every 

 where our progress was exceedingly laborious and fatiguing. As 

 we continued to ascend, the cold and fatigue disheartened the 

 Islanders, who required all the encouragement I could give, to 

 induce them to proceed. As I took the lead, it was needful for me 

 to look behind me continually, for when once out of sight, they 

 would pop themselves down, and neither rise nor answer to my 

 call. After resting for a few minutes at the last station, I pro- 

 ceeded about seven miles further, over a similar kind of forma- 

 tion, till I came to a sort of low ridge, the top of which I gained 

 soon after eleven p.m., the thermometer indicating 37°, and the 

 sky very clear. This part was of gradual ascent, and its summit 

 might be considered the southern part of the dome. The snow 

 became very deep, and the influence of the sun melting its crust, 

 which concealed the sharp points of the lava, was very unfavora- 

 ble to my progress. From this place to the north, towards the 

 centre of the dome, the hill is more flattened. Rested a short 

 time, and a few minutes before noon, halted near the highest black 

 shaggy chimney, to observe the sun's passage. In recording the 

 following observations, I particularly note the places, in order 

 that future visitors may be able to verify them. To the S. W. of 

 this chimney, at the distance of one hundred and seventy yards 

 stands a knoll of lava, about seventy feet above the gradual rise 

 of the place. The altitude was 104°. 52'. 45'^ This observation 

 was made under highly favorable circumstances, on a horizon of 

 Mercury without a roof, it being protected from the wind by a 

 small oil cloth — bar. 18°. 953". therm. 51° ; in the sun s rays 

 43*=*. 5', and where buried in the snow 31°., the dew point at 7°. ! ! 

 Wind, S. W. The summit of this extraordinary mountain is so 

 flat, that from this point no part of the Island can be seen, not 

 even the high peaks of Mouna Kuah, nor the distant horizon of 



