72 EAMBLES OP A NATUEAIIST. [Oh. V. 



of which were covered with a deep green deposit, very 

 copious in the quieter and more sheltered spots ; and upon 

 dipping one's hand into this stream, the temperature was 

 found to be too high to allow it to remain there. At this 

 point it was ahout 130°; but higher up it could be seen 

 steaming, notwithstanding the tropical heat of the day. 



This stream does not appear to flow directly from the 

 sulphur-springs above, but probably from some subterranean 

 source connected with them. The channel leading down 

 directly from the springs was quite dry, though it bore 

 evidences of having been, comparatively recently, the theatre 

 of similar exhalations. The rocks over the opposite side of 

 this ravine were lofty, and cropped out boldly, striking 

 south-east, and dipping down to the north-east in the 

 direction of the springs. At this spot they had a bleached 

 appearance, visible from a distance, precisely similar to that 

 exhibited at the active springs. They bore, however, at that 

 moment, no other sign of their past activity ; but, on a near 

 approach to them, a very perceptible odour of sulphuretted 

 hydrogen was smelt, and the rocks themselves appeared 

 to have had their surface disintegrated by the action of the 

 steam. 



A short distance above this spot we reached a eul-de-sac 

 in the hills, bounded on the right by bold bare rocks, having 

 the lithologlcal characters of a coarse calcareous grit, and 

 dipping about 15° to the north-east. This was the spot 

 occupied by the present active sulphur-springs, and was of 

 small extent, embracing not more than two acres of ground, 

 whose desolation formfed a very striking contrast to the 

 verdure on nearly three sides of it. This spot was perfectly 

 barren, and was fiUed up with low hillocks of friable rocks, 

 loose stones and debris, having the character of a moraine, 



