In the Volcanic Region 115 



may, perhaps, later oust the smaller senecio and conyzeae species, 

 whilst the Senecio ] ohnstonii may spread over the whole cone up 

 to its summit. Later on the larger stalked lobelia may make its 

 appearance. 



After a toilsome ascent of three hours' duration, we set up 

 camp about 500 metres below the peak, in the saddle between 

 the middle and the south crater. We were surrounded by a 

 dense mist, which obscured our view of the summits. We had 

 hardly fixed the last tent when a storm broke over our heads, 

 accompanied by a tremendous shower of hail, which quickly 

 transformed the aspect of the scene into one of winter. The 

 temperature sank correspondingly rapidly, and the cold was so 

 severe that the poor carriers crowded into the cover of the tents 

 for protection against it. Then the heavens suddenly cleared, 

 and the summit of the volcano stood out in splendid relief, 

 like a dark silhouette against the passing clouds. We had 

 profited by our rest to make a scanty meal, and at once set 

 about attempting the ascent to the summit. The slope rises at an 

 angle of 35 degrees, and the climb was rendered exceedingly 

 arduous in consequence of the slight foothold afforded by the 

 stony ground. Moreover, the unaccustomed rarity of the air 

 made itself oppressively felt, so that one was compelled to stop 

 still nearly every hundred paces and breathe heavily, whilst one's 

 heart beat audibly. Had we conceived any idea of the picture 

 awaiting us, however, we would have hurried more. For 

 in a few moments we were gazing down speechless into a colossal 

 arena indescribable in its grandeur. 



The flattened summit of Ninagongo is almost entirely occupied 

 by a mighty and nearly circular eruptive area, the Count 

 Gotzen crater. I christened it thus in honour of its intrepid 

 discoverer. The inner walls fall away steep below and terminate 

 in an almost level lava bottom, in the centre of which two steep- 

 walled eruptive shafts have been blasted out ; these lie in juxta- 

 position, giving the appearance of a very large and somewhat 

 flattened figure 8. The measurements taken by Lieutenant Weiss 

 will best give an idea of the enormous dimensions of the Count 



