706 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 18P7. 



There are a few stunted trees and bushes growiog uear the water's 

 edge, inside the great crater of Rana Kao. This remarkable volcano is 

 1,327 feet high. The diameter of the crater at the top is 4,150 feet. At 

 the water line inside it measures 2,085 feet across. The depth from the 

 top to the lake is GOO feet, so that the surface of the latter is 727 feet 

 above the sea level. The crater is nearly a perfect circle and unbroken 

 at its upper edge, except at a point at its southern side, toward the 

 ocean, where exists a large cleft or notch, through which, no doubt, the 

 lava, when the volcano was active, found its way to the sea, and per- 

 haps assisted in forming the small adjacent islands of Mutu Nui and 

 Mutu Eaukau. It was to this latter island that thqir swimming matches 

 ■were annually held, in the eflbrt to see who should be the first to reach 

 it, climb to the precipitous sides, and bring back one of the sacred eggs 

 of the sea bird, to Avhich they attached such a superstitions value, and 

 which conferred kingship for the year on the lucky captor for his 

 prowess. This rock, covered with birdlime, looks at a little distance 

 like a huge inverted stalactite projecting high in air from the depths 

 of the sea. The labor and difficulty involved in mounting it, therefore, 

 may be imagined. 



The interior of the crater (Rana Kao) is distinctly conical in shape, 

 resembling a vast amphitheater, and presents a magnificent view. 

 Trails lead to the bottom, in various directions, evidently the tracks 

 worn by animals; but the descent, as well as the ascent, is most diffi- 

 cult, and but very few ever attempt the feat. 



Grazing around the edge of the lake, as well as on the floor of vege- 

 table matter floating on its surface, could be seen cattle which looked, 

 at that dizzy height, of about the size of sheep, and sheep which ap- 

 peared like rabbits. The lake at the bottom has been sounded by Mr. 

 Salmon to a depth of 300 feet, when his line parted, without touching 

 bottom. The surface edge is covered, over almost its entire extent, 

 with a thick, dense, intertwined, vegetable growth, the accumulation 

 of many years, from which grow small trees and bushes of considerable 

 size. At various places, and few in number, over this floating, elastic, 

 vegetable floor, which rises and falls as the water in the lake increases 

 or diminishes in quantity, according as it is the rainy or dry season, are 

 openings of variable size and irregular circular shape, through which 

 the water appears, rippled by the passing winds, and to which the ani- 

 mals resort to drink. Around these openings the vegetation is of a 

 vivid green, evidencing present and vigorous growth, as well as grad- 

 ual but steady encroachment on the small remaining free surface of the 

 lake, so that in course of time it Avill no doubt become entirely cov- 

 ered. Other portions of the vegetable mass are of a deeper shade of 

 green, while still other and older parts are of varying tints of brown. 

 Cattle and sheep may be seen browsing unconcernedly over various 

 portions of th(» floating floor of vegetation, a curious and interesting 

 (spectacle, and instinctively, perhaps, avoiding the treacherous places 



