360 Volcanic Eruptions on Hawaii. 
the margin of the stream, these stump-holes were innumerable, 
and in many instances the fallen top lay near by, dead but not 
burnt. Dr. Pickering also states that some epiphytic plants upon 
these fallen trees had begun again to sprout. The rapidity with 
which lava cools is still more remarkably shown in the fact that 
it was found sometimes hanging in stalactites from the branches 
of trees; and although so fluid when thrown off from the stream 
as to clasp the branch, the heat had barely secrched the bark. 
The waters of the sea were so much heated that the shores for 
twenty miles were strewed with dead fish. 
From the period, thirty-six hours, which the lavas required to 
reach the sea, an average velocity of four hundred feet an hour is 
readily deduced, as stated by Captain Wilkes. Yet, as the lavas 
issued from various fissures along the course,* the result cannot 
add for the previous ejections of the same eruption three more 
square miles it gives 6,023,000,000 of cubic feet for the whole 
amount of lavas which reached the surface.t 
We have a:still more accurate means of estimating the amount 
of lavas which passed from Kilauea, in the actual cubic contents 
is two and a half times the amount obtained from the estimated 
extent of the eruptions. The difference may be accounted for 
partly on the ground that fissures were filled as well as surfaces 
overflowed, and also that there may have been eruptions beneath 
the sea not estimated. This amount is equivalent to a triangular 
ridge eight hundred feet high, two miles long, and over a mile 
wide at base. 
aD OL TN TaN aed 
* On this point we cite the following passage from the Narrative by Captain 
Wilkes, (iv, 184):—* There are nll fissures along the whole line, as will be per- 
ceive the dark places on the map, I feel confident that from each of these an 
ejection had taken place, and that the lava had in some cases flowed in a contrary 
irection to the general course of the stream.” rt 
+ Allowing an average depth of but ten feet, the calculation would give for the 
whole amount 5,000,000,000 cubic feet. 
¢ As the measurements of the Beton were made eight months after the 
eruption, we have somewhat for the increase during that time, and also for 
cavities emptied beneath the ledge. 
