122 MAUNA LOA. 



was pointed out, the sap of which blisters the skin, and with which 

 the inhabitants produce a sort of tattooing in large and small round 

 lumps. I did not learn how durable they were. This plant is called 

 mau-a-laili. 



Our course, since we left our resting-place, was nearly south-south- 

 west, and the inclination on which we ascended was not as rapid as it 

 had been. The country on our left was one entire rock, while that to 

 the right was still occupied by the line of forest I have before spoken 

 of, which bounded our view to the west. 



Just as we reached the great plain of the volcano, we approached 

 the southern limit of the wood, and, on turning its corner, Mauna Loa 

 burst upon us in all its grandeur. The day was extremely fine, the 

 atmosphere pure and clear, except a few flying clouds, and this im- 

 mense dome rose before us from a plain some twenty miles in breadth. 

 I had not, until then, formed any adequate idea of its magnitude and 

 height. The whole dome appeared of a bronze colour, and its unin- 

 terrupted smooth outline was relieved against the deep blue of a 

 tropical sky. Masses of clouds were floating around it, throwing their 

 shadows distinctly on its sides, to which they gave occasional relief 

 and variety. There was a bluish haze resting on the plain, that appa- 

 rently gave it great distance, though this was partially counteracted 

 by the distinctiveness of the dome. I now, for the first time, felt the 

 magnitude of the task I had undertaken. 



So striking was the mountain, that I was surprised and disappointed 

 when called upon by my friend, Dr. Judd, to look at the volcano ; for 

 I saw nothing before us but a huge pit, black, ill-looking, and totally 

 different from what I had anticipated. There were no jets of fire, no 

 eruptions of heated stones, no cones, nothing but a depression, that, in 

 the midst of the vast plain by which it is surrounded, appeared small 

 and insignificant. 



At the further end was what appeared a small cherry-red spot, 

 whence vapour was issuing, and condensing above into a cloud of 

 silvery brightness. This cloud, however, was more glorious than any 

 I had ever beheld, and the sight of it alone would have repaid for the 

 trouble of coming thus far. 



We hurried to the edge of the cavity, in order to get a view of its 

 interior, and as we approached, vapour issuing from numerous cracks, 

 showed that we were passing over ground beneath which fire was 

 raging. The rushing of the wind past us was as if it were drawn 

 inwards to support the combustion of some mighty conflagration. 



When the edge is reached, the extent of the cavity becomes appa- 

 rent, and its depth became sensible by comparison with the figures of 



