136 MAUNA LOA. 



much trouble to ascend it. They said that I must be in pursuit of 

 gold and silver, or something to sell for money, as I never would take 

 so much trouble, and spend so much money, unless it were to acquire 

 great riches. In the morning Dr. Judd had religious service with 

 the natives, and the day was passed without work. It was a most 

 beautiful day : the atmosphere was mild, and the sun shone brightly 

 on all below us. We enjoyed a clear and well-defined horizon, the 

 clouds all floating below us in huge white masses, of every variety of 

 form, covering an area of a hundred or more miles; passing around 

 as they entered the different currents, where some acquired a rotary 

 motion that I had never before observed. The steam-cloud above the 

 volcano was conspicuous, not only from its silvery hue, but by its 

 standing firm, like an immense rock, while all around and beneath it 

 were in motion. The vault overhead was of the most cerulean blue, 

 extending to and blending with the greenish tint of the horizon; while 

 beneath the clouds, the foreground and distant view of the island was 

 of a dark green. The whole scene reminded me of the icy fields of 

 the Southern Ocean ; indeed the resemblance was so strong, that it 

 seemed only to require the clouds to have angular instead of cumular 

 shapes, to have made the similarity complete. It was perceived, that 

 as masses of clouds met they appeared to rebound, and I seldom saw 

 them intermingle ; they would lie together with their forms somewhat 

 compressed, and their outlines almost as well preserved as when 

 separated and alone. After three o'clock, when the sun was retiring, 

 the clouds advanced up the mountain-side, and finally we became 

 immersed in them. This happened on both days at nearly the same 

 hour. 



During the day, I succeeded in obtaining sets of observations for 

 latitude and longitude. I experienced for the first time much fatigue 

 in holding the instruments. The barometer and thermometer were 

 observed throughout the day at the hours arranged with the observa- 

 tory at Hilo. 



In the evening we were much gratified at receiving fifteen gallons 

 of water, which the natives had brought ten miles in open-mouthed 

 vessels, over the rough mountain roads: this they do by placing some 

 fern-leaves on the top of the water, when it carries as well as a solid, 

 and will bear much agitation without spilling. Though a very small 

 supply for our necessities, it was a great satisfaction to know that it 

 was now within reach of us. Partially relieved from this pressing 

 difficulty, our attention was turned to the fuel, and I at once saw the 

 necessity of providing some means for procuring a supply, as we were 

 now at one of the last points where it was to be obtained. We were 



