HAWAII. 217 



resembled the dry bed of some great river over which the water had 

 passed for ages. There was no appearance of lava streams or clinkers, 

 as on Manna Loa. In the distance rose six peaks, around whose 

 bases were rough blocks of lava, while towards their tops scoria of a 

 red colour, with gravel, prevailed. 



On their way, they passed through a gap to the southeast of the 

 three terminal hills, where stood the stone pen, said to mark the place 

 where the Rev. Mr. Bingham M-as once lost. The terminal peaks 

 were found steep and very fatiguing to ascend ; and when they 

 reached the summit, they took shelter under a pile of stones — the 

 same that Douglass speaks of They were unfortunate in the weather, 

 as a cold, cutting, and strong wind blew from the southwest, sweep- 

 ing over these peaks with great force. The water in the bags froze 

 in a few minutes in the bright sunshine. Their man Dawson, alias 

 Billy Lilly, soon became weary and exhausted : he was so stiff, that it 

 was with difficulty they could get him to move down to the base of 

 the mountain. The lee side of the mountain, was a sheet of ice for 

 several hundred feet down the peaks ; the weather side, on the con- 

 trary, was covered with minute icicles pointing to the wind, which, 

 on being walked over, were detached in numbers. 



In the early part of the day, Mauna Loa was in sight; but 

 when they reached the summit, the atmosphere became hazy, and 

 consequently their view of the country around was very indistinct. 

 The terminal crater of Mauna Loa, however, was still percep- 

 tible. 



The highest peak of Mauna Kea is the southernmost ; but our 

 gentlemen did not visit it, proceeding to the western side of the 

 mountain, until they obtained a view of the slope to the northwest 

 and north. The lake spoken of by Mr. Goodrich, which lies in the 

 direction of the highest peak, was not visited. 



Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea differ essentially, both in form and 

 apparent composition. Mauna Loa, as has been seen, is one mass of 

 lava streams for the distance of four or five thousand feet from its 

 summit; while Mauna Kea is found to consist almost entirely of 

 scoria without any craters, unless the conical hills spoken of can be 

 so considered ; which is probable, for they are represented as cup- 

 shaped on top. Vegetation on the one ceases at about seven thousand 

 feet ; while on the other it is continued to twelve thousand, and 

 a few scattered plants may even be found within a few hundred feet 

 of the top of Mauna Kea. The plants also differ: the mamanee 



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