374 Volcano of Kirauea. 
the height of the upper cliff. He made it 900 feet, agreeing 
with the measurement of some of the missionaries some months 
before. If this be correct it is judged that the ledge cannot 
be less than 600 feet above the bottom, thus making the 
whole depth of the crater, that which I have stated it in the 
preceding pages to be, 1500 feet. On similar grounds its cir- 
cumference at the bottom has been estimated at a distance of 
from 5 to 7 miles, and at its top from Sto 10. 
Greatly to our regret, we found it would be necessary to 
set off on our return early the next morning, all the provisions 
for the natives being entirely expended. We could have 
passed a week here with undiminished interest, and wished to 
remain at least one day longer, to visit the sulphur banks on 
the eastern side, which abound with beautiful crystalizations, 
and to make some researches on the summit. We would 
have been glad also, to have added to the variety of speci- 
mens we had already collected, especially of the voleanic 
sponge, and capillary volcanic glass, not found on the side of 
the crater where we encamped. But it was impossible, and 
we made preparations for an early departure. 
_ The splendid illuminations of the preceding evening were 
again lighted up with the closing of the day, and afier enjoy- 
‘ing their beauty for two or three hours, with renewed delight, 
we sought a repose which the fatigue of the morning had ren- 
dered highly desirable. The chattering of the islanders 
around our cabin, and the occasional sound of voices in pro- 
tracted conversation among our own numbers, had, however, 
hardly ceased long enough to admit of sound sleep, when the 
-yoleano again began roaring and labouring with redoubled 
activit he confusion of noises was prodigiously great. 
In addition to all we had before heard, there was an ang 
t d 
ing to the farthest other extremity with incalculable velocity. 
The whole ai 
air was filled with the tumult, and even those mos 
