that the bird-catcher's knowledge of the 
oleano did not rise above the woody re- 
gion, and now he and my two other follow- 
ers were unable to proceed further. Leav- 
* 
Mation can be 
ing these three behind, and accompanied 
by only Calipio, I went on about two miles 
and a half, when the Great Terminal Vol- 
cano or Cone of Mouna Roa burst on my 
view: all my attempts to scale the black 
ledge here were ineffectual, as the fissures 
in the lava were so much concealed, though 
not protected by the snow, that the under- 
. taking was accompanied with great danger. 
Most reluctantly was I obliged to return, 
without being able to measure accurately 
‘its extraordinary depth. From this point 
T walked along upon the brink of the high 
ledge, along the East side, to the hump, 
80 to speak, of the mountain, the point 
which, as seen from Mouna Kuah, appears 
the highest. As I stood on the brink of the 
ledge, the wind whirled up from the cavity 
withsuch furi iol that I could hardly 
keep my footing within twenty paces of 
it The circumference of the black ledge 
of the nearly circular crater, described as 
am as my circumstances would allow 
‘Me to ascertain, is six miles and a quarter. 
The ancient crater has an extent of about 
twenty-four miles, The depth of the ledge, 
from the highest part (perpendicular sta- 
fion 9n the East side) by an accurate mea- 
surement with a line and plummet, is twelve 
and seventy feet. It appears to 
have filled up considerably all round ; that 
‘Part to the North of the circle seeming to 
din » àt no very remote period, undergone 
coq violent activity, not by boiling 
| Overflowing, nor by discharging under 
te but by throwing out stones of im- 
it Size to the distance of miles around 
ar together with ashes and sand. 
ible chasms exist at the bottom, ap- 
Sea in some places, as if the mountain 
-~ en Tent to its very roots: no termi- 
seen to their depth, even 
code eye is aided with a Me glass, 
sky 1s clear of smoke, and the sun 
brightly. Fearful indeed must the 
em rimi been, when this volcano was 
: of activity. The part to the 
SANDWICH ISLANDS, AND THE ASCENT OF MOUNA ROA. 
175 
South of the circle, where the outlet of the 
lava has evidently been, must have enjoyed 
a long period of repose. Were it not for 
the dykes on the West end, which show 
the extent of the ancient cauldron, and the 
direction of the lava, together with its 
proximity to the existing volcano, there is 
little to arrest the eye of the Naturalist 
over the greater portion of this huge dome, 
which is a gigantic mass of slag, scorie, 
and ashes. The barometer remained sta- 
tionary during the whole period spent on 
the summit, nor was there any change in 
the temperature nor in the dew-point to- 
day. While passing, from eight to nine 
o’clock, over the ledges of lava of a more 
compact texture, with small but numerous 
vesicles, the temperature of the air being 
36°, 37°, and the sun shining powerfully, a 
i und was heard, proceeding 
from the cracks and small fissures, like the 
faint sound of musical glasses, but having 
at the same time, a kind of hissing sound, 
like a swarm of bees. This may perhaps 
be owing to some great internal fire escap- 
ing—or is it rather attributable to the heat- 
ed air on the surface of the rocks, rarefied 
by the sun's rays? Ina lower region, this 
sound might be overlooked, and considered 
to proceed, by possibility, from the sweet 
harmony of insects, but in this high alti- 
tude it is too powerful and remarkable not 
to attract attention. Though this day was 
more tranquil than the 12th, when I as- 
cended Mouna Kuah, I could perceive a 
great difference in sound; I could not now 
hear half so far as I did on that day when 
the wind was blowing strong. This might 
be owing to this mountain being covered 
with snow, whereas, on the 12th, Mouna 
Kuah was clear of it. Near the top I saw 
one small bird, about the size of a common 
sparrow, of a light mixed grey colour, with 
a faintly yellow beak—no other living crea- 
ture met my view above the woody region. 
This little creature, which was perched on 
a block of lava, was so tame as to permit 
me to catch it with my hand, when I in- 
stantly restored it its liberty. I also saw 
a dead hawk in one of the caves. On the 
East side of the black ledge of the Great 
sweet 
