Voleanic Eruptions on Hawaii. 351 
And over this scene of restless fires and fiery vapors the 
heavens by contrast seemed unnaturally black, with only here 
and there a star like a dim point of light. 
‘The next night streams of lava boiled over from the lake, 
and formed several glowing lines diverging over the bottom 
of the crater. Towards morning, there was a dese mist, and 
change. 
We have endeavored to describe these views, with literal cor- 
rectness. We are not responsible for any disappointment the ac- 
count may create, as we could see only what was actually before us. 
Pele was in one of her sober moods. Yet we have reason to believe 
that this is her usual state, and assuredly there is a terrible grand- 
eur even in her quiet. The action when most roused has been 
much exaggerated in its character; for boiling and overflowing, 
With occasional detonating explosions, constitute in every condi- 
tion the characteristic features: in its greatest violence, the caul- 
drons are more numerous and extensive, the spouting cones m 
tiply in number, the explosions are loud and frequent, and the 
Sheets of lava at each overflow spread through the whole crater. 
ch a scene over an area seven and a half miles in circuit, must 
be terrific beyond description, although the “ sea” be no sea; and 
the “ waves” but the agitations of violent ebullition and frequent 
overflowings. 
The accompanying bird’s-eye view of Kilauea, reduced from 
the surveys of the Expedition, shows its oblong-ovate form and 
‘general features, though giving no adequate idea of its magnitude. 
"he longest diameter lies nearly northeast and southwest, and is 
Sixteen thousand feet in length; the average breadth is seven 
thousand five hundred feet. The pit includes, therefore, an area 
