340 Ternate. 



surface appeared freshly fractured and split, as if quite recently 

 thrown out of the crater, and broken up on cooling. 



At the summit is a sharp ridge, along which we walked : from 

 it a slope of 30°, exactly the same as that of the outside of the 

 cone, the natural slope no doubt of the lava fragments, leads 

 down into the crater ; from the interior of which a dense 

 smoke arose, hiding its form and extent entirely from view. 



The wind was easterly (E. by N.), and drove the smoke away 

 from the side on which we were. The smoke is excessively 

 suffocating, and a sudden shift in the wind might be fatal to 

 any one who was a short way down within the crater, or even 

 at some places on its margin. It would not be easy to get 

 down it in some places, at all events in a hurry. It was only 

 possible to descend about 20 yards into the crater, and even 

 then the vapours inhaled were very trying. Steam and acid 

 vapours issued from cracks everywhere, decomposing the lava 

 amongst which they passed. In most of the cracks were 

 small quantities of sulphur. 



From the margin of the crater overlooking the town of 

 Ternate there was a magnificent view, embracing the island of 

 Halmahera (Gilolo), which lay spread as a map beneath us, 

 and the peak of Tidore, and many far-distant islands. Our 

 guides rejoined us when we came down to the outer crater. 



For the benefit of any future explorers of the Peak, which is 

 very seldom ascended, I give the time required for the ascent. 

 We left the house at 1,000 feet altitude at 4.30 a.m., reached 

 the margin of the outer crater at 8.30 a.m., and the summit 

 at 9.30 A.M. The temperature of the air at an altitude of 

 4,800 feet was 71° F. at 8.30 a.m. At the summit of the 

 mountain it was 68°. 5 F. at 9.30 a.m. 



