KILAUEA. 155 



had formed crusts, which lapped over each other. This rock was so 

 dark in colour, as to be almost black, and so hot as to act upon spittle 

 just as iron, heated nearly to redness, would have done. On breaking 

 through the outer crust, which was two or three inches thick, the 

 mass beneath, although solid, was of a cherry-red. The pole with 

 which the crust was pierced, took fire as it was withdrawn. It 

 was evidently impossible to approach any nearer in this direction ; 

 for although the heat might not be so intense as to prevent walking 

 on the crust, yet the crust itself might be too weak to bear the 

 weight, and to break through would have been to meet a death 

 of the most appalling kind. Dr. Judd, therefore, turned towards 

 the west bank, on which he mounted to a higher level over stones 

 too hot to be touched, but from which his feet were defended by 

 stout woollen stockings and sandals of hide, worn over his shoes. 

 When he had proceeded as far as he could in this direction, he saw 

 at the distance of about thirty feet from him, a stream of lava running 

 down the declivity over which he and his companions had ascended. 

 Even this distance was too great to be reached over, and the inter- 

 vening rocks had become so heated by the continual stream, that they 

 could not be traversed. 



At this time, they were very near the great lake, but could not see 

 its surface, which was still about twenty feet higher than the spot 

 where they stood. Jets of lava were, however, observed rising about 

 twenty-five feet, and falling back again into the lake. Dr. Judd now 

 despaired of gratifying his own wishes and mine, by obtaining lava 

 in the liquid state, and ordered a retreat. 



On his return, the party passed the small crater which has been 

 spoken of; and which, by comparison with the larger one, appeared 

 cool. Smoke and a little imeous matter were issuinof from a small 

 cone in its centre; but with this exception, a crust of solid lava 

 covered the bottom. 



On the sides of this crater. Dr. Judd saw some fine specimens of 

 capillary glass, " Pole's hair," which he was anxious to obtain for our 

 collection. He, therefore, by the aid of the hand of one of the natives, 

 descended, and began to collect specimens. When fairly down, he 

 was in danger of falling, in consequence of the narrowness of the 

 footing ; but in spite of this difficulty, his anxiety to select the best 

 specimens enticed him onwards. While thus advancing, he saw 

 and heard a slight movement in the lava about fifty feet from him, 

 which was twice repeated, and curiosity led him to turn to approach 



VOL. IV. 47 



