EDGE OF THE CRATER. 49 



boldt plunged the thermometer into them, and saw it 

 rise rapidly to 154° and 167°. He also sketched on the 

 spot a view of the interior edge of the crater as it pre- 

 sented itself in the descent by the eastern track. 



The top of the circular wall exhibited those curious 

 ramifications which are found in coke. The northern 

 edge was most elevated. Towards the south-west the 

 enclosure was considerably sunk, and an enormous mass 

 of scorious lava seemed glued to the extremity of the 

 brink. The rock was perforated on the west, and a 

 large opening gave a view of the horizon of the sea. 



Seated on the brink of the crater, Humboldt dug a 

 hole some inches deep, into which he placed the thermo- 

 meter, which rapidly rose to 107°. Some sulphurous crys- 

 tals which he gathered here, consumed the paper in which 

 he wrapt them, and a part of his mineralogical journal 

 besides. 



From the outer edge of the crater the admiring tra- 

 vellers turned their eyes towards the north-east, where the 

 coasts were studded with villages and hamlets. At their 

 feet were masses of vapour constantly drifted by the 

 winds. A uniform stratum of clouds had been pierced 

 in several places by the effect of the small currents of 

 air, which the earth, heated by the sun, began to send 

 towards them. The port of Orotava, its vessels at 

 anchor, the gardens and the vineyards encircling the 

 town, showed themselves through an opening which 

 seemed to enlarge every instant. From the summit of 

 these solitary regions their eyes wandered over an 

 inhabited world. They enjoyed the striking contrast 

 between the bare sides of the peak, its steep declivities 

 covered with scoriae, its elevated plains destitute of vege- 



3 



