202 HAWAII. 



projecting ledge of lava : close by there were several pools of water 

 Such pools form in the compact lava ; and where this rock occurs, 

 water is to be met with at intervals, while in the porous lava none is 

 to be found. 



On the 13th, they set out at an early hour, and passed a belt where 

 the vegetation became very rich, and the variety great, particularly 

 on the sheltered banks of the ravines. Among the plants were several 

 Compositan, two or three with decussate leaves, Pelargonium Dou- 

 glasii, five or six species of ferns, several Rubiaceas, grasses, and other 

 small plants. 



About three miles beyond this, they reached a cave, where they 

 intended to leave the natives and baggage. It was difficult to induce 

 the former to come up even thus far, on account of the cold; but being 

 here in the vicinity of wood, they were enabled to have a fire to keep 

 themselves warm : water was also at hand. This cave was a conve- 

 nient rendezvous, and sufficiently near the top to allow them time to 

 reach it and return in a day. Some of the natives had gone down to 

 a larger cave, three quarters of a mile below. 



A few wild cattle were to be seen in the distance; but, according to 

 the report of Dawson, their guide, they ought to have heard from this 

 position cattle lowing in every direction. 



On the 14th, one of their guides was sent off after a bullock ; 

 Kanuha, the chief, having granted permission to the party to shoot 

 one. 



Dr. Pickering, Mr. Brackenridge, and Billy Lilly, set out for the 

 summit. When about three miles above their rendezvous, and having 

 the high hill of red scoria to the south, they entered upon a plain, of 

 many miles in extent. On reaching this, the vegetation of temperate 

 climates almost at once disappeared, and an Arctic flora succeeded. 

 This plain is made desolate by stones, gravel, sand, scoria, and 

 boulders : a few scanty blades of two sorts of grasses (Aira and 

 Panicum), and one or two stone-mosses, were all the verdure, if such 

 it may be called, that was seen. The whole plain resembled the dry 

 bed of some great river over which the water had passed for ages. 

 There was no appearance of lava streams or clinkers, as on Mauna 

 Loa. In the distance rose six peaks, around whose bases were rough 

 blocks of lava, while towards their tops scoria of a red colour, with 

 gravel, prevailed. 



On their way, they passed through a gap to the southeast of the 

 three terminal hills, where stood the stone pen, said to mark the place 

 where the Rev. Mr. Bingham was once lost. The terminal peaks were 

 found steep and very fatiguing to ascend ; and when they reached the 



