VOLCANIC TRAITS. 47 



self, allowed a valuable double-barreled fowling 

 piece to fall from his hands into the depths be- 

 low. A native attendant was set to dive for the 

 lost property, which he did, and declared it was 

 not to be found ; and it was not until he had 

 been urged to repeated attempts by Mr. Henry, 

 that he at length produced it. This man after- 

 wards confessed, that he had found the gun 

 when he first dived, and had concealed it in 

 a spot, under water, where he could readily 

 obtain it for himself, at another and more favour- 

 able opportunity ; and that he had no intention 

 whatever of restoring it to the rightful owner, 

 if Mr. Henry had not been so angry and pe- 

 remptory on the subject. 



The geological character of the surrounding 

 land strengthens the opinion that this lake is 

 the crater of an extinct volcano, filled with 

 water by cascades and rivulets, as well as by 

 subterranean streams, that open perceptibly on 

 many parts of its surface. That there may be 

 some exit for its waters is probable, though at 

 present destitute of proof. The height of the 

 spot it occupies is estimated, by Captain 

 Beechey, at 1,500 feet above the level of the 

 sea. The ascent from the coast, however, is 

 made by a circuitous route, and is so gradual 

 as to be almost imperceptible : the direct dis- 



