176 KILADEA, 



chambers of great depth. Beyond these holes were innumerable cracks, 

 increasing as we approached the southern end, to which I was hasten- 

 ing, because I had concluded to finish this part of the work before 

 we became exhausted. In passing over these cracks, it became 

 necessary to put the hand over the mouth to avoid the heated 

 blast, which, as we proceeded, became more stifling with fumes of 

 sulphur. 



We at last reached the extreme end, where we measured our line, 

 and took the angles as quickly as possible. The lake proved, from 

 my measurement, to be fifteen hundred feet in length, by one thousand 

 in width, and I found that it had sunk about one hundred feet during 

 the last night, supposing Dr. Judd's estimate of its being twenty feet 

 below its edge to be correct. It now appeared to be but little agitated, 

 and the rocks on its side were left as if spattered with pitch, probably 

 by the same kind of lava as that we had observed on the top of the 

 mountain. 



Just as I had completed the measurement, the sergeant gave me 

 notice that he had perceived a movement in the bank, upon which I 

 ordered a hasty retreat. One of the men who was before stumbled in 

 his hurry, and fell, disappearing from our sight; we instantly stopped, 

 and my heart rose to my throat. I could scarcely believe my eyes 

 when I saw him rise again from the crust of lava, through which he 

 had fallen into a chasm. 



As we approached the sulphur-banks, there was much more heat 

 and many more signs of action near it; the sulphur-bank was seen to 

 be constantly in action, if I may so express it, similar to the slaking 

 of lime. Numerous specimens of sulphur were obtained here, and one 

 of a sulphate of copper of a fine blue colour. These crystals of sul- 

 phur were by no means so beautiful as we had found them at the 

 northern bank. 



In several of the caverns were stalactites in the form of a long cone, 

 of a black colour, from eighteen inches to two feet in length, and an 

 inch in diameter at the base: these were found to be solid, and of a 

 silicious matter. 



To stand on the black ledge and look around on the desolation 

 which appears on every side, produces a feeling similar to those with 

 which the scene of some dreadful conflagration would be viewed. 

 The same description of sadness is felt that such a prospect would 

 create, while there is in addition a feeling of insecurity, arising from 

 the fires that are raging around, and are known to exist underneath. 



Although the black ledge has the appearance of being level when 

 seen from the top of the wall, it is not found to be so. It varies in 



