HAWAII. 223 



the time of, or after the eruption. It has been mentioned, that some 

 slight shocks were felt in the neighbourhood of Nanavalie, but they are 

 reported as being very frequent and violent at Kealakeakua Bay, on 

 the opposite side of the island, though much more remote from the 

 scene of destruction than Hilo. 



Two of the missionaries were once on the black ledge, looking 

 down on the burning lake, when an earthquake took place which was 

 felt over the whole island: no change took place in the lake, or else- 

 where in the crater, excepting that some pieces of stones were shaken 

 down from the surrounding walls. 



From all the information I could obtain, the causes of the earth- 

 quakes do not appear to be connected with the action of the volcanoes. 

 The accounts, however, are contradictory, and depend principally 

 upon native testimony, which is not to be relied on in such observa- 

 tions. It is to be hoped, that the resident missionaries will endeavour 

 to devote a small portion of their time to the interesting phenomena of 

 these eruptions. 



Dr. Pickering reached Kilauea on the 22d of January, where he 

 found the large lake, according to his estimation, still about thirt)' feet 

 below the rim, to which height it had again risen. If this estimate 

 was accurate, it would prove a rapid formation of lava, for only ten 

 days had elapsed since we had seen it many feet lower. About 9 

 p. m. of the same day, a large part of the southern bank fell in at 

 once, producing a great light, and surging to and fro for some minutes, 

 the surface of the fluid rising sometimes even with the rim. 



According to the native account, the crater is more active at night 

 than in the day, but this probably arises from its greater apparent 

 brilliancy. 



The small or Judd's Lake, was still overflowing in all directions, 

 and this action had continued for the last ten days. According to 

 Dr. Pickering's account, it was not as active as on its first outbreak. 

 A vast quantity of lava had been poured out since our last visit, and 

 there was a very perceptible increase of it in the crater. 



I have before remarked the great difficulty of retaining a knowledge 

 of the situation and relative position of things, on first descending on 

 the "black ledge." This was evident from Dr. Pickering's not 

 recollecting objects which must have been seen by him. 



The way he accounts for this is, that every thing at first was so 

 novel, and excited so much wonder and astonishment, that it made no 

 lasting or distinct impression ; but after proceeding for some time, this 

 appears to have worn off, and the eye became accustomed to the 



