108 HAWAII AND OAHU. 



of large blocks of lava, thrown out from its bottom, and lodged on its 

 sides one above the other. 



They encamped at the foot of a very old crater, novi^ covered with 

 trees of Edwardsia and Acacia, M^here they found water. The natives 

 sought out one of the lava caves, as a protection against the cold and 

 misty wind. Kimo again joined them at dark." 



Although the next day they had fine weather and clear sunshine, 

 yet they could see the rain falling from the clouds on the route before 

 them. This rain they experienced shortly afterwards, and were 

 obliged to travel through a driving mist all day, with a very chilly 

 atmosphere. The natives complained so much of cold, that the party 

 were induced to stop, light a fire, and give them some provisions, 

 which had now become rather scarce. Seeing abundant signs of 

 wild cattle, and hearing the sound of a distant gun, one of the guides 

 went off to the haunts of the cattle-hunters in the neighbourhood, and 

 shortly after returned with a supply of jerked beef 



Their route lay next through some very good grazing ground ; and 

 large herds of cattle find subsistence here, which are killed for the 

 hides. Bones were lying in all directions. There is also some very 

 good arable land, covered with large grass. 



This part of the island would make valuable grazing farms, for 

 there is a sufficiency of soil to support them, and wood to build with, 

 though scarcely enough of the latter article for fuel. The loose scoria 

 would make excellent fences, as the cattle can with difficulty be 

 driven over it. The distance from the coast and the want of roads, 

 however, would interpose many obstacles to its settlement ; and the 

 climate, so unlike what the natives are accustomed to on the coast, 

 would probably prevent their services from being obtained. 



The next morning they perceived that the tops of both Mauna Kea 

 and Maima Loa were covered with snow, which, however, disap- 

 peared by ten o'clock. They now took a southerly course, crossing 

 over many ancient beds of lava much decomposed, and now covered 

 with vegetation. The trees were the koa (Acacia), Edwai'dsia, and 

 Dodonsea. They now first met the curious Compositse mentioned by 

 Douglass, and named by Dr. Hooker, Aygrophyton Douglassia; it 

 was seen about eight feet in height, covered with a silver pubescence, 

 which gives it a beautiful appearance. They found many pools of 

 water in the lava. They had crossed over the flank of Mauna Loa, 

 and supposed themselves to be about two-thirds of the way up towards 

 its summit. 



