190 



K I L A U E A. 



chrysolite disseminated through it; it has a dark brown hue, and a 

 reddish scoriaceous appearance. 



The south sand-hill commands an extensive view over a scene of 

 complete devastation, heightened in its character of desolation by the 

 sulphurous gases and smoke which were still escaping from the recent 

 stream of lava. The latter, except in its dark colour, resembled a river 

 on whose banks large masses of ice are heaped, which had carried 

 destruction in its course, and had crushed or pulverized every thing 

 that obstructed its way. The very hill on which we sat was the 

 effect of the power of this stream of fire. A sketch of these sand-hills 

 is exhibited in the annexed wood-cut. 



SAND-HILLS AT NANAVALIE. 



The effect of the view was enhanced by the contrast of the bare 

 rock of the eruption, with the verdure that appeared on either side of it. 



The stream of liquid lava seems to have borne down all opposition, 

 and to have filled up every hollow that lay in the line of its course. 



The country around the stream does not appear as if it had any 

 descent, but the lava stream shows its slope very distinctly. 



The natives had been planting sweet-potatoes near the foot of the 

 sand-hills, but there was little prospect of their succeeding in raising a 

 crop. We passed several hours here, and then proceeded on our way 

 through Makuu and Wekahika to Keeau, where we arrived at sunset. 

 The school-house of Keeau was appropriated to the men and natives ; 

 but I preferred to occupy the tent, as I was well aware of the peculiar 

 trials to be undergone in the native houses, although it was newly built. 



Here we found a delightful spring of fresh water upon the shore, and 

 within the flow of the tide at high water. It enabled us to enjoy a 

 bath, which we had not had the means of doing for forty days. During 

 our journey, we met Lieutenant Budd on his way to the lava plain, who 

 informed me that they were all well on board the ship. 



As we had dispensed with all the baggage we could spare, we deter- 

 mined to trust to obtaining provisions on the road ; in consequence we 

 generally had a market at our encampment, and one of the first things 



