156 HAWATIAN ISLANDS. 
The group is consequently the key to Polynesian Geology. It 
combines all the features which are elsewhere widely scattered, and 
they are so exhibited in progressive stages as to afford mutual illustra- 
tion. An island like Tahiti, so broken into peaks and ridges, may 
excite wonder and doubt. ‘The Hawaiian Group suggests the same 
difficult problem as Tahiti; but an intelligible solution is at the same 
time presented for our contemplation and study. 
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE HAWAIIAN GROUP. 
The islands of the Hawaiian Group are eight in number, and he 
near the northern tropic between the parallels of latitude 19° and 
224°, Commencing with the southwest extremity of the line, they 
are as follows:—Hawau, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, 
Kauai, and Nuhau.* ‘The length of the whole line is about 400 
miles. It has already been remarked that the range properly con- 
tinues to the northwest, and includes the two rocky islets, Necker 
and Bird, and some coral reefs beyond, embracing in all an extent of 
nearly 2000 statute miles. 
This group constitutes properly a long range of mountain heights, 
the whole of which is submerged, excepting those parts which now 
form islands. The highest points are in the southeastern island— 
Hawaii; Mount Loa, according to the measurements of the Expedi- 
tion, is 13,760 feet above half tide, and Mount Kea, 13,950 feet; and 
upon the same island, Mount Hualalai is not far from 10,000 feet.+ 
Maui, the island next to the west, has one summit, Haleakala, exceed- 
ing 10,000 feet, (10,217,) and another, Keka, 6130 feet. Oahu has 
* These names are pronounced as if spelt Hah-wyee, Mow-ee, Kah-h6é-lah-way, 
Lah-nye, Mol-6-k¥e, Waw-hoo, Kow-eye, Nee-how. Besides these there is an islet near 
Maui, called Molokinz, (pron. Molokeenece,) and another south of Nihau, called Kaula. 
Both are uninhabited. 
t+ The height of Mount Loa has been variously stated by different travellers. 
Captain Cook, (3d Voyage, iii. 104,) - - - 18,400 English feet. 
Captain King, (Cook’s Voyages,) - - - 16,480 Ke 
Marchand, (Voyage, i. 428,) - - - - 16,613 ss 
Kotzebue, (Entdeckungsreise, i. 21,)  - - = 15,884 “ 
M. Horner, (in Kruesenstern’s Reise, i. 215,) - - 14,423 “ 
ee as calculated by Von Buch from the data given, 13,537 ae 
Mr. Douglass, (Journ. Roy. Geog. Soc. iv. 333,) - 13,230—13,175 
M. E. Chevalier, (Geol. Voy. Bonite, p. 200; from Kotzebue?) 15,880 
