4 Volcanic Character of the Island of Hawwii. 
‘and eastward part of the Island, estimated to be upwards of 
18,000 feet high, and Mouna Roa, in the south-western 
part, probably near the same height. Ehave been twice to 
the sammit of Mouna Kea. The first time I was at the high- 
est peak about three o’clock at night, in the month of August; 
the thermometer stood at 27 deg, 5 below the freezing point. 
I passed over several banks of snow, that lay to the northward 
of the highest peaks, (this mountain rises much more abrupt- 
ly than Mouna Roa.) and the change was so great in passing 
from a torrid to a frigid zone, that I was under the hhecessity 
of travelling all the time I was up there to prevent freezing. 
The second time that ¥ ascended was im April last. There 
appear to be three or four different regions in passing from 
the sea shore to the summit. The first occupies five or six 
miles, where cultivation is carried on, in a degree, and might 
be to almost any extent ; but as yet, not one twentieth part is 
. 
that Is’ 4 
except in a few foot paths. Brakes, a species of fern, here 
size 
ten and twenty miles in width. The region higher up pro- 
of the coarser kind. Some of the peaks are composed of 
coarse sand, and others of loose stones and pebbles.  £ found 
a few specimens that I should not hesitate to pronounce frag- 
ments of granite, T also found fragments of fava, bearing 
near resemblance to a geode, filled with green crystals, which 
I suppose to be angite. 
_ Very near to the summit, upon one of the peaks I found 
eight or ten dead sheep ; they probably fled up ‘ete to seek a 
refuge from the wild ; [have heard that there are 
many wild dogs, sheep and goats. Dogs and goats I have 
never seen. 
_I was upon the summit about 2 o’clock P. M - the wind S. 
W.» much resembling the cold blustering winds af March 
with you, the air being se rare that it produced a severe pain 
_as I descended. Much more might 
mit for want of room. The volcane 
