298 Mr. Ben NET on the Island of T" en criffe. 



at first there appeared a bright streak of red on the horizon, which 

 gradually spread itself, lighting up the heavens by degrees, and 

 growing brighter and brighter till at last the sun burst forth from 

 the bed of the ocean, gilding as it rose the mountains of 'Teiieriffe 

 and those of the great Canary \ in a short time the whole country to 

 the eastward lay spread out as a map, the great Canary was easily to 

 be distinguished and its rugged and mountainous character, similar to 

 that of the other islands, became visible to the naked eye. The cold at 

 this time was intense, the wind keen and strong, and the thermometer 

 sunk to 32 degrees ; after a short though rapid ascent vi'e reached the 

 summit of the second stage of the mountain, we passed over a small 

 plain of white pumice on which were spread masses of lava, 

 and at length arrived at the foot of the cone. This division of 

 the mountain forms what is generally termed the Peak of 

 Teneriffc ; it resembles the present crater of Vesuvius, with this 

 difference, however, that while the surface of that mountain is 

 composed of a black cinder or ash, the superficies of this 

 appears to be a deposit of pumice of a white colour, of scoria and 

 of lava, with here and there considerable masses that were probably 

 thrown out when the volcano was in action. Towards the north- 

 west on the right hand of our ascent, there is a small current of 

 lava shewing itself above the pumice, the composition of which is 

 similar to that at the bottom, though of a redder tinge ; it is broken 

 on the surface and is in a rapid state of decomposition. Numerous 

 small cavities on the side of the mountain emitted vapour with con- 

 siderable heat. Here begins, in my opinion, the only fatiguing 

 part of the ascent ; the steepness of the cone is excessive, at each 

 step our feet sunk into the ash, and large masses of pumice and 

 krva rolled down from above ; we were all bruised and our 

 feet and legs were cut, but none materially hurt ; at last we 



