102 HAWAII AND OAHU. 



over it. The distance from the coast and the want of roads, howevei, 

 would interpose many obstacles to its settlement ; and the climate, so 

 unlike what the natives are accustomed to on the coast, would probably 

 prevent their services from being obtained. 



The next morning they perceived that the tops of both Mauna Kea 

 and Mauna Loa were covered with snow, which, however, disappeared 

 by ten o'clock. They now took a southerly course, crossing ovei 

 many ancient beds of lava much decomposed, and now covered with 

 vegetation. The trees were the koa (Acacia), Edwardsia, and 

 Dodonsea. They now first met the curious Composite mentioned by 

 Douglass, and named by Dr. Hooker, Argyrophyton Douglassii; it 

 was seen about eight feet in height, covered with a silver pubescence, 

 which gives it a beautiful appearance. They found many pools of 

 water in the lava. They had crossed over the flank of Mauna Loa, 

 and supposed themselves to be about two-thirds of the way up towards 

 its summit. 



The temperature at night fell to 40°. 



The beautiful columnar cloud of the volcano of Kilauea, which is 

 always seen to hang over the crater, both by day and by night, was 

 now in full view. 



The next day they were on their route early, and passed some rich 

 grazing country, with the grass full four feet high. From all appear- 

 ances, these parts are not visited by cattle. There were many trees of 

 koa (Acacia), Edwardsia, &c, as before. A fog coming on, they lost 

 their way, and were obliged to retrace their steps. Our gentlemen, 

 having their pocket-compasses, now took the lead, to the no small as- 

 tonishment of their guides, that they could, in a thick fog, direct the 

 way through places they had never visited before. Kimo, their Oahu 

 guide, again gave out, and was left to follow ; and as he did not come 

 up as soon as he was expected, the guides and natives set out, in a 

 praiseworthy manner, to hunt him up, although they were all more or 

 less lamed by crossing over the rough lava during the day. They soon 

 succeeded in finding him, and returned to the camp. 



On the 22d, they reached the volcano, and considered themselves 

 amply repaid for the rough travelling they had gone through for six 

 days previously. As I shall have occasion to speak more fully of this 

 portion of the island, with its many craters and its volcanic action, I 

 shall defer the account of it for the present. 



Our gentlemen now set out for Hilo, where they arrived the day 

 after, having travelled a distance of one hundred and fifty miles. Here 

 they again embarked on board the Flying-Fish, which sailed for Oahu 

 and reached Honolulu on the 28th of November. 



