150 MAUNA LOA. 



for as many men. I now felt that through our own perseverance we 

 should succeed in obtaining our wishes, for with this supply we could 

 remain sufficiently long to effect my object in visiting the mountain. 



Dr. Pickering left us to descend the mountain, with the intention of 

 ascending that of Mauna Kea with Mr. Brackenridge. The day was 

 much warmer than we had felt it since reaching the summit. 



The fine weather enabled us to build the wall to enclose the whole 

 encampment, put up the houses and tents, and attend to the observa- 

 tions. In a note from Lieutenant Alden, he informed me that not 

 more than half the men had shoes, and not more than that number 

 were fit for duty, partly on that account and lameness, together with 

 mountain-sickness. A supply of shoes, and sandals of raw hide, had 

 been "sent for, as the men had already worn out two pairs. It was 

 exceedingly provoking to learn that there was much delay in getting 

 these articles and the provisions from the ships ; which arose, as I was 

 informed by letter, in consequence of the refusal of the Rev 7 . Mr. Coan 

 to allow the natives to set out early on Sunday morning: he required 

 the officer to state that he believed our necessities were urgent before 

 he would consent to the natives going. 



The temperature in the shade at noon was 47° ; in the sun, 70° ; and 

 at night it again fell to 20°. 



On the 30th we had another delightful day, and improved it to the 

 best of our ability, by numerous observations. 



The articles from below were now continually arriving. We took 

 advantage of the fine weather to make an excursion to the northeast, 

 for the purpose of seeing if I could effect a communication with the 

 ship by simultaneous signals ; after walking for about two hours, we 

 found that no view down the mountain-side could be had, as the top 

 of Mauna Loa was an extensive flattened dome, falling very gradually 

 on its northern and eastern sides. 



I therefore gave up this attempt, contenting myself with the deter- 

 mination of the meridian distance by three chronometers. 



In returning, Dr. Judd and myself passed along the edge of the 

 northeast crater, where we found, in a small cave that had been 

 thrown up, a beautiful specimen of lava, the colour of the red oxide 

 of iron. There was also some water in the cave. 



At night, on our return, we had a visit from the old guide, Kea- 

 weehu, the bird-catcher, who gave us the name of the terminal crater, 

 as Moku-a-weo-weo, and of that south of it as Pohakuohanalei. 

 According to his statement, Moku-a-weo-weo emitted fire not long 

 after Cook's visit, and again five years since, on the north side. 

 When talking, the old man's face and appearance were so peculiar, 

 that while he was in conversation with Dr. Judd, I thought it worth 



