KILAUEA. 195 



finding that it was a cause so easily removed ; and the whole was put 

 up anew. 



I now flattered myself that I should be able to go on successfully ; 

 but this was soon found to be a fallacious hope. The series were 

 evidently less disturbed, and the disturbance was found to be con- 

 nected with the times of the greatest surf. I, however, went through 

 a thorough examination of the apparatus, and discovered, with a high 

 magnifying power, what was thought to be a scratch in the agate 

 planes. I therefore shifted the knife-edge, causing it to rest about 

 one-sixth of an inch from its former place. As like irregularities 

 continued, the scratch could no longer be assigned as the cause. I 

 therefore concluded finally that the roll of the surf was the sole cause 

 of the discrepancies ; and on the 23d of February I determined to 

 make another move, to Mount Kanuha, a hill back of Hilo, which I 

 named after the chief who owned the spot. At this hill I engaged 

 three grass-houses, one of which he agreed to enlarge for me, about 

 ten feet, which, with the rent for the time I should require them, was 

 to cost ten dollars. A detachment of sailors was at once ordered, and 

 the whole apparatus, house, &c, was soon on the move. Mount 

 Kanuha is three quarters of a mile from the bay, and elevated above 

 half tide one hundred and forty feet. Before twenty-four hours had 

 expired, the whole apparatus was up and the clock in motion. After 

 its rate became settled, the series with the pendulums were success- 

 fully completed, no disturbance being found to exist at this last 

 locality. 



For these interesting results, the reader is referred to the volume on 

 Physics. The difference in altitude of the two stations at which the 

 pendulums were swung, was thirteen thousand three hundred feet. 



On this occasion I was assisted by Mr. Eld, who entered most fully 

 into my anxieties and the excitement incident to them, and who joined 

 me in the perseverance and exertions necessary to overcome all the 

 obstacles we had to contend with. On the 2d of March, these duties 

 were completed, and the instruments embarked. 



Our time would have passed quite agreeably here had it not been 

 for the vexatious delays that have been spoken of. The house I occu- 

 pied at Paneo was on a charming spot, susceptible of much improve- 

 ment ; and altogether one of the most desirable situations for a residence 

 on the islands. During the period of my stay, it offered a delightful re- 

 treat, and enabled me to enjoy it as well as the fine weather : the latter 

 I may have estimated more highly than it deserves ; for the inhabi- 

 tants of the village were by no means inclined to extol their climate, 

 and considered the season as quite remarkable both for the absence of 



