On the Volcanic Character of the Island qf 'Hawaii. 193 



of the island, and the residence of Kuakini, the principal chief 

 of Hawaii. They proceeded along the coast to the south, east, 

 and north, till they had encompassed the island, having occu- 

 pied in their rambling a little more than two months. They 

 made frequent excursions inland, visited the principal villages, 

 conversed with the people, preached to them on proper occa- 

 sions, and collected such information as in the most satisfac- 

 tory manner to answer the ends of the mission. A guide was 

 furnished them, called Makoa, a person of a somewhat re- 

 markable appearance and character, to judge from his picture, 

 and the description of him in the book. But he was faithful 

 to his duty, and the travellers were hospitably received, and 

 civilly treated wherever they went." 



In the report of the deputation, which is prefixed to the. 

 narrative of Mr. Ellis, they remark : " We have been enabled 

 to collect considerable information on a variety of subjects, 

 which, though of secondary moment, in the missionaries' ac- 

 count, are nevertheless interesting and important; such as the 

 natural scenery, productions, geology and curiosities ; the tra- 

 ditionary legends, superstitions, manners, customs," &c. " In 

 the prosecution of our design, to explore and enlighten the 

 long benighted Hawaii, we have ascended its lofty and majes- 

 tic mountains, entered its dark caverns, crossed its deep ra- 

 vines, and traversed its immense fields of rugged lava. We 

 have stood with wonder on the edge of its ancient craters, 

 walked tremblingly along the brink of its smoking chasms, 

 gazed with admiration on its raging fires, and witnessed with 

 no ordinary feelings of awe, the varied and sublime phaano- 

 mena of volcanic action, in all its imposing magnificence and 

 terrific grandeur." 



The Hawaiians, we are assured, like other barbarous na- 

 tions, are accustomed to recognise " the presence of some un- 

 propitious deity" — " in the sighing of the breeze, the gloom 

 of the night, the boding eclipse, the meteor's glance, the light- 

 ning's flash, the thunder's roar, and the earthquake's shock." 



They have a goddess of volcanoes, whom they call Pele, 

 and " they are continually reminded of her power, by almost 

 every object that meets the eye, from the rude cliffs of lava, 

 against which the billows of the ocean dash, even to the lofty 

 craters, her ancient seat amid perpetual snows." 



The volcanic character of Hawaii is highly interesting, and 

 the proofs of this character presented by the missionaries are 

 so numerous, that they recur almost every where in their pro- 

 gress, and so satisfactory, that their statements cannot fail to 

 produce entire conviction. 



In the vicinity of Kairua, they attempted to excavate a well, 

 Vol. 68. No. 341. Sept. 1826. " 2 B as 



