1856.] COAN — VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN HAWAII. 175 



ous than when we ascended. We reached home on the fourth day, 

 gratified to oppression with the wonders we had seen. 



Shortly after this visit the lava fell into the water-course above 

 referred to, evaporating the water, and filhng and obliterating the 

 channel for about ten miles. 



I have since made five visits to the lava-current ; each visit marked 

 with some new phase of peculiar interest. I have seen the igneous 

 stream pour all night long over a precipice of 60 feet ; and I have 

 also seen it fall over another of 32 feet into a basin of water deep 

 and large enough to float a frigate ; whilst all night long, clouds of 

 steam rolled up in fleecy wreaths towards heaven. 



Honolulu, 31st Mav, 1856. 



[The volcanic phenomena of Hawaii are noticed in the ' American 

 Journal of Science,' new series, 1856, vol. xxi. pp.100, 139, 237, 241 ; 

 also in the Bullet. Soc. Ge'ol. France, vol. xii. p. 306. — Edit.] 



rWe learn from ' The Pacific Commercial iVdvertiser ' of July 24, 

 1856 (enclosed in Mr. Miller's despatch above alluded to), that at 

 that date fresh or molten lava was not met with until about three 

 miles above the lowest point which it reached in November 1855, or 

 at about eight miles from Hilo. The flow from the mountain still 

 continued, however, though with diminished force ; and the lava- 

 stream appeared to be bursting laterally through its crust, and flow- 

 ing off* to the right and left. 



The same informant describes the seat of this eruption as being 

 in the old traditional crater of Mokuaweoweo, on the north or north- 

 westerly side of Mauna Loa, some 12,000 feet above the sea, and 

 2000 feet below the summit of the mountain. Kilauea, the old open 

 crater, is on the opposite side of the mountain, about 7500 feet 

 lower, and about thirty miles distant. The latter crater has re- 

 mained in its usual condition, without overflowing, during the late 

 eruption from the new vent. 



The progress of the lava-current from the new crater appears to 

 have been very rapid down the side of the mountain to the valley 

 between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea ; thence it soon reached the 

 almost impenetrable forests, which form a belt round the mountains, 

 commencing at about three miles from the sea, and usually extend- 

 ing up the mountain- sides for twenty or thirty miles. These offered 

 a temporary check ; but the lava burnt a passage into them to the 

 distance of nearly twelve miles at the rate of about half a mile a 

 week. During the first three months there did not appear to be any 

 change in the force of the eruption. The lava-current, in all its 

 windings, must be about sixty-five miles long ; the lower part coming 

 nearly within five or six miles of Hilo. It varies from three to ten 

 miles in width, sometimes branching off*, and then runnmg together, 

 forming islands. The lava-stream varies, according to the surface 



