K I L A U E A. 209 



were again to be made, a work of three or four hours. On opening 

 the clock-case, the cause of its stopping was disclosed by the appear- 

 ance of a large spider, which had wound his web so tightly round 

 the fork, and connected it so closely with the case, as to stop the 

 pendulum. Although this was provoking, I was much relieved by 

 finding that it was a cause so easily removed ; and the whole was put 

 up anew. 



I now flattered myself that I should be able to go on successfully ; 

 but this was soon found to be a fallacious hope. The series were 

 evidently less disturbed, and the disturbance was found to be con- 

 nected with the times of the greatest surf. I, however, went through 

 a thorough examination of the apparatus, and discovered, with a high 

 magnifying power, what was thought to be a scratch in the agate 

 planes. I therefore shifted the knife-edge, causing it to rest about 

 one-sixth of an inch from its former place. As like irregularities 

 continued, the scratch could no longer be assigned as the cause. 

 I therefore concluded finally that the roll of the surf was the sole 

 cause of the discrepancies ; and on the 23d of February I determined 

 to make another move, to Mount Kanixha, a hill back of Hilo, which I 

 named after the chief who owned the spot. At this hill I engaged 

 three grass-houses, one of which he agreed to enlarge for me, about 

 ten feet, which, with the rent for the time I should require them, was 

 to cost ten dollars. A detachment of sailors was at once ordered, and 

 the whole apparatus, house, &c., was soon on the move. Mount 

 Kanuha is three quarters of a mile from the bay, and elevated above 

 half tide one hundred and forty feet. Before twenty-four hours had 

 expired, the whole apparatus was up and the clock in motion. After 

 its rate became settled, the series with the pendulums were success- 

 fully completed, no disturbance being found to exist at this last 

 locality. 



For these interesting results, the reader is referred to the volume on 

 Physics. The difference in altitude of the two stations at which the 

 pendulums were swung, was thirteen thousand three hundred feet. 



On this occasion I was assisted by Mr. Eld, who entered most 

 fully into my anxieties and the excitement incident to them, and who 

 joined me in the perseverance and exertions necessary to overcome 

 all the obstacles we had to contend with. On the 2d of March, these 

 duties were completed, and the instruments embarked. 



Having thus closed the narrative of the ascent of Mauna Loa, my 

 VOL. IV. 53 



