M A U N A L O A. 133 



This pool is fifteen hundred long by one thousand feet wide, and of an 

 oval figure. 



I was struck with the absence of any noise, except a low murmur- 

 ing, like that which is heard from the boiling of a thick liquid. The 

 ebullition was, (as is the case where the heat is applied to one side of 

 a vessel,) most violent near the northern side. The vapour and steam 

 that were constantly escaping, were so rarefied as not to impede the 

 view, and only became visible in the bright cloud above us, which 

 seemed to sink and rise alternately. We occasionally perceived stones, 

 or masses of red-hot matter, ejected to the height of seventy feet, and 

 falling back into the lake again. 



The lake was apparently rising, and wanted but a few feet of over- 

 fl.owing its banks. When I began to reflect upon the position we 

 were in, its insecurity, and the vast and deep fires beneath, with the 

 high basaltic walls encompassing tis on all sides, the sulphurous 

 fumes and broad glare, throwing such enormous masses of stone in 

 strong relief by their own fusion, I found it difficult to comprehend 

 how such a reservoir can thus be pent up, and be viewed in such 

 close proximity, without accident or danger. The whole party was 

 perfectly silent, and the countenance of each individual expressed the 

 feeling of awe and wonder which I felt in so great a degree myself, 

 and which the scene was so well calculated, to excite. 



No one can see all this and yet doubt the theory of the igneous 

 fluidity of the centre of the earth. All combustible causes that we 

 are acquainted with, are totally inadequate to produce such an effect. 

 The whole seemed boiling up like a fountain, differing only in den- 

 sity and colour. 



The apparent flow to its southern part, is only because the ebulli- 

 tion on the north side causes it to be higher, and the waves it produces 

 consequently pass over to the opposite side. 



We returned to our tents towards midnight, much fatigued, but 

 found sleep impossible after the excitement of such a scene. 



At daylight the thermometer stood at 43°, and there was much 

 deposit from the steam-holes. The barometrical height of the en- 

 campment on the west side of the crater, was found to be three 

 thousand nine hundred and seventy feet. 



The mortar was again fired, and soon after a rebellion was found 

 to exist among the natives in the camp, that threatened to upset all 

 our plans ; and, in consequence of it, we were obliged to defer our 

 departure. Dr. Judd soon detected the ringleaders, one in particular, 



VOL. IV. 34 



