K I L A U E A. 



183 



out at times in considerable quantities, and scattered around. This 

 is the only way in which the plain surrounding the crater could be 

 covered as it has been. 



On my route I passed a third crater, the name of which I could 

 not learn : the natives who were with me seemed to know little 

 about it. There were several cones of coloured scoria, particularly a 

 red one of large size within it. The dimensions of this crater were 

 found to be three thousand feet in diameter, and about three hundred 

 feet in depth. Finding that I had no time to spare, I was obliged to 

 forego the idea of descending into it. 



There is a tradition which relates that a whole army was once 

 buried by the sand and ashes, while they were marching by, and 

 that the shower was so great as to produce almost total darkness. 

 This sand, I would here remark, bears a strong resemblance to that 

 of the sand-hills caused by the late eruption at Nanavalie, which will 

 be hereafter spoken of. 



During the month that intervened between our visits, the black 

 ledge had undergone some change. This was ascertained by a 

 comparison of the outlines of the lower pit, bounded by the ledge 

 on the two occasions. A large projecting point on the east side 

 of the black ledge had disappeared. The lakes of fire continued 

 nearly the same, though the small one in the larger area seemed 

 less active. 



At about three o'clock, when I had reached the eastern edo-e of 

 Lua Pele, all the party who were with me remarked a large column 

 of smoke rising from that crater, and we, in consequence, ran towards 

 the bank ; but the sulphur-banks concealed the bottom of the crater 

 and black ledge from our view. It immediately occurred to me, that 

 an outbreak had taken place, by which the whole bottom of the 

 lower crater would be overfloveed, and that my friend. Dr. Judd, 

 would find himself in a dangerous position, as he must at the time 

 be near it. Not being able to reach any place where we could 

 relieve our apprehensions, we were forced to continue our route, and 

 shortly after descended to what is known as Lord Byron's Ledge, 

 which lies between the two craters, Lua Pele (Pole's Pit) and 

 Kilauea. The position of the hut occupied by Lord Byron is close 

 to the brink of Kilauea. I noticed this place as proving that a recent 

 ertiption has taken place on the ledge. A flow of igneous matter 

 has evidently run into both craters, and has covered the ledge with 

 large sheets of lava. These are here and there broken throuo-h, 



