188 KILAUEA. 



stunned. I regretted its loss ; for it was a beautiful specimen, and one 

 that we had been endeavouring to obtain for some days past. 



During the night, one of the heaviest rains I had experienced in the 

 island, fell ; but the morning was bright and clear, — every thing seemed 

 to be rejoicing around, particularly the singing-birds, for the variety 

 and sweetness of whose notes Hawaii is distinguished. 



Previous to our departure, all the tenantry, if so I may call them, 

 came to pay their respects, or rather to take a look at us. We had 

 many kind wishes, and a long line of attendants, as we wended our 

 way among the numerous taro-patches of the low grounds, towards 

 Puna ; and thence along the sea-coast towards the place where the 

 lava entered the sea, at Nanavalie. The whole population of this 

 section of the country was by the wayside, which gave me an oppor- 

 tunity of judging of their number; this is much larger than*might be 

 supposed from the condition of the country, for with the exception of 

 the point at Kapoho, very little ground that can be cultivated is to be 

 seen. The country, however, is considered fruitful by those who are 

 acquainted with it, notwithstanding its barren appearance on the road- 

 sides. The inhabitants seemed to have abundance of bread-fruit, 

 bananas, sugar-cane, taro, and sweet-potatoes. The latter, however, 

 are seen to be growing literally among heaps of stones and pieces of 

 lava, with scarcely soil enough to cover them; yet they are, I am 

 informed, the finest on the island. 



At Puna, there is a large church ; but no appearance of a village, 

 the houses being much scattered. The church, it is said, will contain 

 two or three thousand persons. The Rev. Mr. Coan, I understood, 

 officiates here occasionally. 



Before reaching Nanavalie, we passed through Kanakiki, a small 

 village ; and the sand-hills at the former place were reached before 

 noon, when I was enabled to get the meridian observations. The 

 height of the highest sand-hill was found to be two hundred and fifty 

 feet : it is perpendicular on the side next the sea, which is rapidly 

 washing it away. Here we met several natives, who confirmed the 

 story of the earthquakes, and said that they had been very severe. 

 I have not before stated the fact, that none were felt at Hilo; and 

 indeed earthquakes on Hawaii seem to be local. One was said to have 

 taken place during my visit to Mauna Loa ; but no one of the party 

 felt any shock. 



There are three of these sand-hills, which caused me more astonish- 

 ment, and involved greater difficulties to account for them, than any 

 other phenomenon connected with the eruption. From the accounts 

 given me, the coast at Nanavalie, previous to the eruption, was one 



