Ch. v.] ASPECT OF THE SULPHUR SPEUSTGS. 73 



and interspersed at irregular intervals with shallow pits or 

 depressions, containing mud and sand, and sometimes foul, 

 muddy water. From cracks and fissures hx these depressions 

 arose clouds of steam, and yellow patches of sulphur were 

 visible from a distance. 



At the time of my visit, ia the middle of June 1866, there 

 were seven or eight springs in a more or less active condition, 

 from which clouds of superheated steam arose, either by 

 a small round hole, or narrow fissure, or by several such 

 apertures. The rushing steam produced a loud noise, like 

 that accompanying the blowing off of steam from a boiler ; 

 and above the fissures was a quantity of sublimated sulphur, 

 adhering to the. rock in acicular crystals, forming, about the 

 most active spring, a bright yellow patch which was visible 

 from a considerable distance. It was no easy matter to reach 

 the sublimed sulphur, for, on a close approach to the spot, 

 a jet of hot steam made it necessary to withdraw, and 

 warned us that a nearer approach was dangerous. I managed 

 however, with the aid of a stick, to procure some from the 

 crevices in and around which it was deposited. Most of 

 the springs were dry ; but one rose through muddy water, 

 which bubbled' up in a series of rapid explosions, carrying 

 the boiling water, sand, and mud five or six feet high, and 

 splashing it all around. 



It is evident that the degree of activity of these springs is 

 very variable, and that at the tinie of my visit they were in a 

 comparatively quiescent state. The jets of steam were 

 isolated, and a comparatively small portion of the two acres, 

 at which I estimated the area of grey barrenness,, was in an 

 active condition. Numerous pits which had evidently at 

 some period sent forth iJieir jets of steam were perfectly 

 quiet, and stones coated with sulphur scattered among them 



