R. C. Haskell on the recent Eruption of Mauna Loa, 67 
minutes, when at a point considerably farther below the top and 
farther west, another jet spouted up. 
Accounts from Hilo say, that on the night of the 23d it was so 
light there that fine print could be read without difficulty. After 
the 23d the light was much less. 
At Lahaina, more than 100 miles distant, the whole heavens 
in the direction of the eruption were Sage up. 
Our party started from Honolulu Feb. 1st, and reached Kea- 
lakekua on the 3d. Here we learned that the stream from the 
eruption had reached the sea on the 31st of January, at Wai- 
nanalii, about forty miles from the place of eruption. This makes 
the average progress of the stream above five miles per day. 
After procuring guides, natives, pack-oxen and mules we starte 
for the source of the flow on the 5th. About noon we hada 
view of the source distant probably 25 miles from us in an air 
line. The crater was about 150 feet high and 250 feet in diame- 
ter (as we afterwards estimated). From within this crater, liquid 
lava was spouting up to the height of 300 or 400 feet above the 
top. In shape and movement it resembled a mighty fountain or 
jet of water, though more inconstant. At one moment it was 
uncommonly high and quite narrow at the top, at the next not 
as high but very broad. At night and from a good position 
near, the view of the jet, according to Mr. Faudrey (the only 
man who reached the crater while the jet was spouting) was 
grand beyond all description. 
Owing to an accident which befell one of our party, and the 
failure of water where it was su d to be abundant, we were 
delayed two days and induced to divide our party into two 
divisions. One part returned to visit the flow at a point some 
twenty miles below by another and easier route. The party 
who went on, consisting of twelve white persons and thirty kan- 
akas, reached the crater Wednesday evening, Feb. 9, and en- 
camped about two miles from it. Here all fears about water 
were at an end, for we found snow in abundance within half a 
wi 
ances of flame. This apparent flame, however, we afterwards 
ascertained was only fine particles of scoria heated to redness. 
rocket, very much increased of course, but quite irregular. 
About half a mile below the lower of the two craters, the stream 
first made its ap ce. For five or six miles its course was 
well defined, and there were no side-streams. From this point 
e main stream divided more or less, and on the plain, between 
