264 On the Volcanic Character of the Island of Hawaii. 



dure and cultivation. The centre was occupied by a brackish 

 lake in which the children were swimming, sporting and 

 diving. 



On the 13th of August, near Waiakea, they observed three 

 streams of fresh water that empty themselves into the bay of 

 Waiakea — one rises among the summits of Mouna Kea, and 

 the two others boil up through the lava, near the shore — fill 

 several large fish-ponds, and empty into the sea. 



The face of the country near Waiakea is rendered very 

 beautiful by the frequent rains, and the long repose which 

 this region has enjoyed from the desolating effects of volcanic 

 eruptions. 



As the travellers occasionally avoided the roughness of the 

 land by coasting along the shores, they had opportunity to 

 observe the bold volcanic rocks, springing up sometimes 600 

 feet perpendicularly from the sea — and displaying various 

 strata of vesicular lava — from which the water was frequently 

 seen oozing or gushing in fountains. 



At Laupahoapoe they saw the ruins of a mountain of nearly 

 600 feet elevation, which, nine months before, had fallen into 

 the sea in consequence of an earthquake. The cloven surface 

 of the mountain, still in its original position, was smooth and 

 vertical, while the fragments lay below in a state of frightful 

 desolation, mixed with the ruins of houses, and spread for half 

 a mile along the coast. The catastrophe, although indicated 

 by some lambent flames that appeared at evening on the top 

 of the rock, was so sudden, that a number of the inhabitants 

 were involved in the consequences. 



On the 25th of August, Mr. Goodrich commenced his ascent 

 up Mouna Kea. The soil was formed of decomposed lava 

 and ashes. At noon he dismissed his native companion, and 

 taking his great coat and blanket, began to ascend the more 

 steep and rugged parts. The way was difficult, on account of 

 the volcanic rocks and stunted shrubs that covered the sides 

 of the mountain. On his way up he found a number of red 

 and white raspberry bushes, loaded with delicious fruit. At 

 5 P.M. having reached the upper boundary of the trees and 

 bushes that surround the mountain, he erected a temporary 

 hut, kindled a small fire, and prepared for his night's repose. 

 The thermometer, shortly after sun-setting, stood at 43°, and 

 the magnet, though it pointed north when held in the hand, 

 was drawn two or three degrees to the eastward, when placed 

 on the blocks of lava ; owing, probably, to the great quantity 

 of iron in the mountain. 



After a few hours rest, he arose at eleven o'clock at night, 

 and the moon shining brightly, he resumed his journey to- 

 wards 



