KILAUEA. 179 



get a set of angles, to connect our stations at the volcano immediately 

 with the ship at Hilo. 



Previous to our departure this morning, we missed two small brass 

 disks belonging to one of the instruments. I mention this as the only 

 theft that had hitherto occurred, notwithstanding our instruments were 

 necessarily much exposed, and a large number of natives always 

 around us. Diligent search and inquiry were made for them, but 

 without success. 



As the parties were about setting out, Mr. Eld desired to descend 

 into the crater, to satisfy his curiosity. He was also instructed to 

 obtain the measurement, as I was desirous of proving my own as well 

 as Lieutenant Budd's observations. 



The measurements coincided within a few feet of each other. 



Dr. Judd and myself took up our march about noon, in order to 

 follow the line of pit-craters and the late eruption of lava on the east. 

 Our company, on this route, consisted of about forty, including Dr. 

 Judd, the servants, six seamen, and the Kanakas who were employed 

 as bearers and carriers of the baggage, tents, &c. One half of these 

 were well loaded with poe, as it generally requires one man to carry 

 food for two, and without taking one's own supplies, it would be im- 

 possible to think of travelling in this country. 



We were extremely fortunate in our Kanakas, who were a body of 

 fine young men, that had come up from Kapoho, the southeast point 

 of the island, with provisions for sale, when Dr. Judd engaged them to 

 become our carriers. This was opportune, as they were all well ac- 

 quainted with the road we were about to travel. 



The first object we passed on our route, was Lua Pele, (the Pit of 

 Pele,) to which the road approached within a few rods. We had a 

 beautiful view of this crater, which is circular and nearly filled up 

 with trees, with the exception of the bottom, where a patch of black 

 lava was seen. The variety of the green tints of these trees produced 

 a singular effect. This crater has long been in a state of rest, and 

 seems to have been very different from the great crater of Kilauea, 

 both in its mode of action and the character of its lava. 



A little beyond Lua Pele we passed a deep crevice, about four feet 

 wide : this runs towards a rise in the plain, of about sixty to eighty 

 feet, which extends in a southerly direction, and is, apparently, the 

 boundary of the crater-plain on the east side. This crevice is some- 

 what similar to that which I remarked on the western side, and so far 

 as could be judged by the eye, seemed to be inclined towards the great 

 crater. 



