Buacxsurn—The Hawaiian Archipelago. 207 
average elevation of about 5000 feet, and is a barren waste of lava. Mauna Loa 
is a violently active volcano, at an elevation of about 4000 feet. There is a crater 
known as “ Kilauea,” which has been constantly raging with molten lava as far 
back as memory or tradition reaches ; and it has been the immemorial custom of the 
mountain to break forth, at intervals of a few years, in unexpected places besides, 
from which it discharges vast streams of molten lava that roll downwards, some- 
times for many months, and change the whole aspect of the country by their 
devastation. 
To this island I have paid two visits. In the month of February I spent 
seventeen days there, travelling chiefly on foot. On that occasion I landed on the 
north-west coast, and proceeded inland, between the northern (or Kohala) range 
and Mauna Kea, to a place called Waimea. I then spent a day on the southern 
slopes of the northern range (where I found in the main the same insects as on the 
rest of Hawaii), and then crossed a spur of Mauna Kea to the central table-land. 
From this point I made a leisurely ascent of the great mountain, sleeping a night 
of ascent and descent, respectively, in a hut at an elevation of about 6500 feet. 
Owing to the exceptional depth of the snow, my guide showed the white feather, 
and refused to go on at an elevation a little over 10,000 feet; but my travelling 
companion (Mr. J. R. Watson, a botanist) and I were not willing to be baulked ; 
so we left the guide, and completed the ascent without him, by the light of nature 
and of a little old-world experience in Switzerland, &e. We got through the 
expedition without much anxiety or mishap worse than a few tumbles into rather 
unpleasant snow-drifts, an inflamed nose to Mr. Watson, and a little snow- 
blindness to myself. During this trip I procured very few insects; but I attribute 
it chiefly to ‘‘bad luck,” as I am satisfied that the fine forest clothing this 
mountain must be the home of many fine things. On the snow-covered portion 
I obtained nothing but a few torpid ichneumonida, though I must admit that the 
intense cold interfered with entomological activity on my part. 
After returning to Waimea (as I could not find a guide who would undertake 
the difficult journey across the central table-land), we made our way to the coast, 
and proceeded by sea round the north of the island, to a place called Hilo, about 
the centre of the east coast, whence we proceeded on foot, devoting two days to 
the journey, to Kilauea (the active crater of Mauna Loa). This lies at a distance 
of thirty miles from the sea, the mountain rising so gradually that the ascent of 
4000 feet accomplished in that distance seems imperceptible ; and the crater, when 
it is reached, appears to be a chasm in the surface of a great plain. Portions of 
the forest that we passed through on this journey were the densest I have ever 
seen. On one occasion, when we were proceeding along a narrow path that is cut 
among the trees, we met a wild bull; and it seemed doubtful for a short time 
whether he or we would: retrace our footsteps. At last, however, humanity 
prevailed; and our antagonist turned tail and fled; but he was compelled to 
TRANS. ROY, DUB. S0C., N.S. VOL. III. 2F 
