206 SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



means agreeable, and really, I, for one, felt very much re- 

 lieved when we turned our eyes from the scene to retrace 

 our steps. 



On our regaining the ledge, we fell in with Mr. H., who 

 had gone to collect some specimens of what is called Pele's 

 hair. He succeeded, and beautiful specimens they were. 

 There seems to be some doubt as to the manner this is pro- 

 duced. My opinion is, that it is formed simply by the sweep- 

 ing of the wind over the surface of the lava while in a liquid 

 state. It is to be found all over the ledge, and on the bushes 

 growing around the brim of the crater ; it very much resembles 

 tufts of fine flax. On the leeward side of the crater, Mr. H. 

 found it so abundant that the ground in places appeared as if 

 covered with cobwebs. 



Pele, according to the mythology of the natives, is the 

 goddess of Kilauea, and it is believed that many of them still 

 worship her in secret. It is said that they never approached 

 it previous to the introduction of Christianity, without the 

 greatest fear and veneration, and then only to deliver their 

 offering by casting it into the burning lake. 



When about half way back we met Mr. Lyman, one of the 

 resident missionaries, and Mr. Elliott, our chaplain. At 3 

 P. M. we reached our lodgings, and, as might be expected, 

 were hungry, thirsty, and very much fatigued. After dinner 

 I accompanied Mr. H. to the Sulphur Banks to procure some 

 specimens, but in this we were disappointed, as we saw none 

 that were worth the trouble of preserving. There were some 

 forming, however, which promised to be very fine. The edges 

 of several of the crevices from which the gases issued that 

 produced the sulphur, were lining with crystals of the most 

 beautiful shape and brilliancy. We estimated the length of 

 these banks to be two hundred yards, and their height from 



