212 SAND VICH ISLANDS 



the liquid lava. It was large and well built, and commanded 

 a fine view of the ocean. 



When breakfast was over, I proceeded to visit the place 

 where the stream of lava run into the sea during the eruption 

 just alluded to, also the three hills, said to have been formed 

 at the same time. The direction of the stream was northeast, 

 and is said to be between twenty and thirty miles in length, 

 and from one to nine thousand yards in width. When first 

 discovered it was supposed that a new crater had been formed ; 

 but it is now ascertained that it worked its way from the old 

 Volcano Kilauea. The depth of the stream, as seen down the 

 rents, was from five to twenty feet. At first it flowed smoothly, 

 and after remaining so for some ten days, broke up into its 

 present rough and confused state. I estimated its breadth, 

 where it run into the sea, to be two thousand feet. The lava, 

 as far as the eye could reach, was of a jet-black color, and 

 excessively brittle. I ascended two of the highest hills ; they 

 stood within a few yards of the beach, and parallel to each 

 other were formed of sand, scoria, and ashes and I found 

 their height to be two hundred feet. It is not likely they 

 will remain permanent, as the surf is continually beating 

 against their sides and gradually washing them away. Near 

 these hills were two sand-beaches, which owed their origin to 

 the same eruption. The sand was composed of a substance 

 similar to that of the adjoining lava, and was probably formed 

 by the igneous stream coming in contact with the sea. The 

 lava suddenly cooling, flew into small pieces and particles, and 

 was thrown back upon the land by the agitated waters. 



I now walked along the coast, sometimes keeping so near 

 the edge as to be wet with the spray of the surge which broke 

 violently against it. The houses thickened, and about 4 

 o'clock I reached a hamlet, consisting of some dozen or fifteen 



