164 M A U N A L O A. 



about the crater ; and some descended into it, bringing back many 

 fine specimens of lava. 



During our stay on the summit, we took much pleasure and interest 

 in watching the various movements of the clouds ; this day in par- 

 ticular they attracted our attention : the whole island beneath us was 

 covered with a dense white mass, in the centre of which was the 

 cloud of the volcano rising like an immense dome. All was motion- 

 less, until the hour arrived when the sea-breeze set in from the 

 different sides of the island : a motion was then seen in the clouds 

 at the opposite extremities, both of which seemed apparently moving 

 towards the same centre, in undulations, until they became quite 

 compact, and so contracted in space as to enable i;s to see a well- 

 defined horizon ; at the same time there was a wind from the moun- 

 tain, at right angles, that was affecting the mass, and driving it 

 asunder in the opposite direction. The play of these masses was 

 at times in circular orbits, as they became influenced alternately by 

 the different forces, until the whole was passing to and from the 

 centre in every direction, assuming every variety of form, shape, and 

 motion. 



On other days clouds would approach us from the southwest, when 

 we had a strong northeast trade-wind blowing, coming up with their 

 cumulous front, reaching the height of about eight thousand feet, 

 spreading horizontally, and then dissipating. At times they would be 

 seen lying over the island in large horizontal sheets, as white as the 

 purest snow, with a sky above of the deepest azure blue that fancy 

 can depict. I saw nothing in it approaching to blackness, at any 

 time. 



The light from the volcano of Kilauea was exceedingly brilliant 

 this night. The temperature fell to 17°. 



On the 4th, Lieutenant Budd began the survey of the summit of 

 the mountain (including the four craters), by measuring bases and 

 planting signals. On the return of the parties, they reported that an 

 eruption had taken place on the southwest side of the mountain. 

 This was almost too good news to be true, for to see this wonderful 

 crater in action was scarcely to be expected. Early on the following 

 morning, a party was sent to examine the spot designated. 



Towards evening I began the pendulum observations, and found 

 the temperature of the pendulum-house variable, for which I could 

 not account, as the outward air seemed to be excluded, and yet it 



