AND THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



133 



.. 



Specimens of volcanic rocks and minerals from Kilauea 

 and Hawaii, in the Sandwich Islands, collected and 

 . presented by Count Strzelecki, C.B. 



The three principal volcanic mountains in Hawaii arc 

 Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Hualalai. Of these, the 

 former is supposed to be 13,760 feet above the level of the 

 sea, and the second 13,950. There are great numbers 

 of minor craters scattered over their slopes, one of which, 

 Kilauea (Xua Pele), is situated on the flank of Mauna Loa,, 

 at a distance of nearly 20 miles from the summit ; its 

 height has been variously estimated by different observers, 

 by Count Strzelecki at 4,101 feet. This last crater is 

 described by Ellis, in his " Tour in Hawaii," as situated on 

 a lofty elevated plain, bounded by precipices, apparently 



The 

 surface of this plain was uneven, and strewed over with 

 loose stones and volcanic rock, and in the centre was the 

 great crater. Immediately before us yawned an immense 

 gulf in the form of a crescent, about two miles in length, 

 from N.E. to S.W., nearly a mile in width, and apparently 

 800 feet deep. The bottom was covered with lava, and the 

 S.W. and northern parts of it were one vast flood of burn- 

 ing matter in a state of terrific ebullition, rolling to and fro 

 its fiery surges and flaming billows. Fifty-one conical 

 islands, of varied form and size, containing so many craters, 

 rose either round the edge, or from the surface of the burn- 



sunk from 200 to 400 feet below its original level. 



u r 



ing lake ; 22 constantly emitted columns of grey smoke, 

 or pyramids of brilliant flame ; and several of these at the 

 same time vomited from their ignited mouths streams of 



* 



lava, which rolled in blazing torrents down their black 



* 



indented sides into the boiling mass below. The side of 

 rhe gulf before us, though composed of different strata of 

 ancient lava, were perpendicular for about 400 feet, and 

 rose from a wide horizontal ledge of solid black lava, of 

 irregular breadth ; but, extending completely round, be- 

 neath this ledge, the sides sloped gradually towards the 



T7rPE"R 



i, Gallery, 

 "Wall-case 



