Customs of the Volcano. 179 
Another curious thing about it is, that it is always more active 
after heavy rains. The lake which I spoke of our seeing from 
the top, extends to the foot of the volcano, and I am told that at 
its edge there are some wide crevices, down which water is 
continually pouring, but more especially after rains. How this 
should stir the volcano up to greater activity than usual, I do 
not pretend to be able to say, unless it is by the conversion of 
the water into steam. I only relate the fact. 
This volcano, though a nuisance’ in some ways, such as 
covering everything with volcanic dust that happens to be to 
leeward of it, is still a great benefit in others. From it are ob- 
tained quantities of very fine sulphur, which is collected by the 
natives and brought to the traders for sale. It also produces 
the hot springs before alluded to, some of which are just warm 
enough for a pleasant bath, whilst others are hot enough to 
boil potatoes or scald pigs ; and then it affords to inquisitive 
visitors an opportunity not often granted by these fiery craters 
of viewing, from their very edge, the magnificent spectacle of 
an eruption. 
