K I L A U E A. 189 



my measurement, to be fifteen hundred feet in length, by one thou- 

 sand in width, and I found that it had sunk about one hundred feet 

 during the last night, supposing Dr. Judd's estimate of its being 

 twenty feet below its edge to be correct. It now appeared to be but 

 little agitated, and the rocks on its side were left as if spattered 

 with pitch, probably by the same kind of lava as that we had observed 

 on the top of the mountain. 



Just as I had completed the measurement, the sergeant gave me 

 notice that he had perceived a movement in the bank, upon which I 

 ordered a hasty retreat. One of the men who was before stumbled 

 in his hurry, and fell, disappearing from our sight; we instantly 

 stopped, and my heart rose to my throat. I could scarcely believe 

 my eyes when I saw him rise again from the crust of lava, through 

 which he had fallen into a chasm. 



As we approached the sulphur-banks, there was much more heat 

 and many more signs of action near it ; the sulphur-bank was seen 

 to be constantly in an action, if I may so express it, similar to the 

 slaking of lime. Numerous specimens of sulphur were obtained 

 here, and one of a sulphate of copper of a fine blue colour. These 

 crystals of sulphur were by no means so beautiful as we had found 

 them at the northern bank. 



In several of the caverns were stalactites in the form of a long- 

 cone, of a black colour, from eighteen inches to two feet in length, 

 and an inch in diameter at the base : these were found to be solid, 

 and of a silicious matter. 



To stand on the black ledge and look around on the desolation 

 which appears on every side, produces a feeling similar to those 

 with which the scene of some dreadful conflagration would be viewed. 

 The same description of sadness is felt that such a prospect would 

 create, while there is in addition a feeling of insecurity, arising 

 from the fires that are raging around, and are known to exist under- 

 neath. 



Although the black ledge has the appearance of being level when 

 seen from the top of the wall, it is not found to be so. It varies in 

 width from six hundred to two thousand feet, and has been overrun 

 in various directions by streams of lava, varying in size from that of 

 a serpent to an immense trunk or tunnel, which, after spreading, 

 pass down into some chasm, and are lost. The view around has 

 nothing earthly in it ; one cannot comprehend how rock can be thus 

 fused without the agency of fuel. Our notions of the solidity of stone 



VOL. IV. 48 



