176 
Terminal Crater, is a small conical funnel 
of scorie, the only vent-hole of that sub- 
- stance that I observed in the crater. This 
mountain appears to be differently formed 
from Mouna Kuáh ; it seems to be an end- 
less number of layers of lava, from differ- 
ent overflowings of the great crater. In 
the deep caves at Kapupala, two thousand 
feet above the level of the sea, the several 
strata are well defined, and may be accu- 
rately traced, varying in thickness with the 
intensity of the action, and of the discharge 
that has taken place. Between many of 
these strata are layers of earth, containing 
vegetable substances, some from two feet 
to two feet seven inches in thickness, which 
bespeak a long state of repose between the 
periods of activity in the volcano. It is 
worthy of notice that the thickest strata are 
generally the lowest, and they become thin- 
ner towards the surface. In some places 
I counted twenty-seven of these layers, 
horizontal and preserving the declination 
of the mountain. In the caves which I 
explored near my camp, which are from 
forty to seventy feet deep, thin strata of 
earth intervene between™the successive 
beds of lava, but none is found nearer the 
surface than thirteen layers. No trace of 
animal, shell, or fish, could I detect in any 
of the craters or caves, either in this moun- 
tain or Mouna Kuah. At four P. M. I re- 
: turned to the centre of the dome, where I 
found the three men whom I had left all 
" huddling together to keep themselves warm. 
After collecting a few specimens of lava, 
no time was to be lost in quitting this 
dreary and terrific scene. The descent 
was even more fatiguing, dangerous, and 
distressing than the ascent had proved, and 
required great caution in us to escape un- 
hurt; for the natives, benumbed with cold, 
could not walk fast. Darkness came on all 
too quickly, and though the twilight is of 
considerable duration, I was obliged to halt, 
as I feared, for the night, in à small cave. 
Here, though sheltered from the N. W. 
breeze, which set in more and more strongly 
as the sun sunk below the horizon; the 
thermometer fell to 19°, and as I was vet 
far above the line of vegetation, unable to 
MR. DOUGLAS’ VOYAGE FROM THE COLUMBIA TO THE 
obtain any materials for a fire, and ¢ 
of clothing, except the thin garments 
ed in perspiration in which I had tra 
all day, and which rendered the cold 
intense to my feelings, I ventured, 
tween ten and eleven P. M. to make an - 
effort to proceed to the camp. Never shall 
I forget the joy I felt when the welcome 
moon, for whose appearance I had long 
been watching, first showed herself above | 
luminary presented, was most striking 
The darkened limb was uppermost, and 
I was sitting in darkness, eagerly looking 
for her appearance on the horizon, I des 
companions would 
trusty man Calipio, 
shadow, I proceeded in the 
necessity we walked slowly, steP 
tiously from ledge to ledge, but st ; 
which 
exercise enough to excite a gel 
The splendid constellation of Orion, 
had so often attracted my RES 
my own native land, and which bad p 
passed the meridian, was my guide. " 
tinued in a South-East 
o'clock, when all at once I came toà 
place, full of stunted shrubs, of ie 
bust habit, however, than those at the cam 
I instantly struck a light, and fo 
ter, 
was near, so by 
light, we shortly collected 
and kindled a fine fire. 
