122 MAUN A LOA. 



what is in fact the same name having been given to both. The two 

 words differ no more in spelling and sound, than has arisen from the 

 long separation of two families of the same race and language. 

 Many of the points and headlands present a like similarity in name, 

 and strengthen the conviction of the common origin of the inhabitants 

 of the two groups.* 



To one unacquainted with the great height of the mountains of 

 Hawaii, this island might appear of comparatively small elevation, 

 for its surface rises gradually from the sea, uniform and unbroken ; 

 no abrupt spurs or angular peaks are to be seen, and the whole is 

 apparently clothed with a luxuriant vegetation. 



The scene which the island presents as viewed from the anchorage 

 in Hilo Bay, is both novel and splendid : the shores are studded with 

 extensive groves of cocoa-nut and bread-fruit trees, interspersed with 

 plantations of sugar-cane ; through these, numerous streams are seen 

 hurrying headlong to the ocean ; to this succeeds a belt of some miles 

 in width, free from woods, but clothed in verdure ; beyond is a wider 

 belt of forest, whose trees, as they rise higher and higher from the 

 sea, change their characters from the vegetation of the tropics to that 

 of polar regions ; and above all tower the snow-capped summits of 

 the mountains. 



From this point of view, Mauna Kea, distant about thirty-five 

 miles, has the appearance of being by much the highest mountain 

 on the island ; while Mauna Loa, distant sixty miles, and rounded at 

 its summit to the shape of a regular dome, requires an effort of reason 

 to satisfy the observer that it really has as great an elevation. A 

 conviction that this is the case may be reached by tracing with the 

 eye the edge of the forest that encircles both mountains, and noting 

 how large a portion of the dome of Mauna Loa rises above the 

 woody region. 



No snow was visible to the naked eye on Mauna Loa, but with a 

 telescope it was seen scattered here and there on its rounded summit. 

 The appearance of this mountain is so deceptive, that one would not 

 suppose it to have half its real altitude ; and it might easily be passed 

 unnoticed, so unpretending is its aspect. From Hilo, Mauna Loa 



* This subject will form a part of the report of Mr. Hale, the Philologist to the Expe- 

 dition, to which I refer for a full investigation of it, and of its bearing upon the migrations 

 of the Polynesian tribes. 



