KILAUEA. 171 



had undergone some change. This was ascertained by a comparison 

 of the outlines of the lower pit, bounded by the ledge, on the two 

 occasions. A large projecting point on the east side of the black 

 ledge had disappeared. The lakes of fire continued nearly the same, 

 though the small one in the larger area seemed less active. 



At about three o'clock, when I had reached the eastern edge of Lua 

 Pele, all the party who were with me remarked a large column of 

 smoke rising from that crater, and we, in consequence, ran towards 

 the bank; but the sulphur-banks concealed the bottom of the crater and 

 black ledge from our view. It immediately occurred to me, that an 

 outbreak had taken place, by which the whole bottom of the lower 

 crater would be overflowed, and that my friend, Dr. Judd, would find 

 himself in a dangerous position, as he must at the time be near it. 

 Not being able to reach any place where we could relieve our appre- 

 hensions, we were forced to continue our route, and shortly after 

 descended to what is known as Lord Byron's Ledge, which lies be- 

 tween the two craters, Lua Pele (Pele's Pit) and Kilauea. The 

 position of the hut occupied by Lord Byron is close to the brink of 

 Kilauea. I noticed this place as proving that a recent eruption has 

 taken place on the ledge. A flow of igneous matter has evidently run 

 into both craters, and has covered the ledge with large sheets of lava. 

 These are here and there broken through, forming a kind of funnel or 

 bridge, from beneath which the lava has flowed, leaving the soil in 

 places uninjured. Numbers of ferns, having a luxuriant growth, were 

 found under these immense slabs. In examining the edge of the bank, 

 I became satisfied of the correctness of the above opinion, as the flow 

 over the ledge seems to have come from beneath, and to have coursed 

 down the sides, either in broad ribands, or in streams like large cables, 

 coiling themselves in confused layers on the black ledge. The flow 

 into the pit seemed to be less fluid, as it did not reach the bottom, and 

 flowed in one broad stream. Passing on, we reached the bluff bound- 

 ing Waldron's Ledge, which is the highest part around the crater: it 

 is bold and projecting, and in some places the path leads close under 

 it, among large blocks that have fallen from it, either by the shaking 

 of earthquakes or decomposition by time. 



The annexed plate is taken from a camera lucida sketch, by Mr 

 Drayton ; and gives an idea of the stratification of the walls around 

 the crater. 



When we ascended the bank, it became evident that the eruption 

 had taken place at the small crater : this gave rise to much uneasiness 

 respecting the party that had gone down. I searched with my glass 

 in every part of the crater, but saw no one, although I was convinced 



