KILAUEA, HAWAII 171 
constantly open, but also through fissures made by internal pres- 
sure: and thus, although we may speak of Kilauea and the summit 
crater as the active vents, the mountain may, with more propriety, be 
said to have exhibited its activity in every part. At these large open- 
ings the ordinary pressure is relieved by the constant escape of 
vapours ; but they have ejected little of the material which forms the 
present surface of the mountain. 
In the farther account of Mount Loa, we may speak first of Kilauea, 
the crater best known from the accounts of travellers; next, of Mokua- 
weo-weo, the summit crater; and then of other craters and points of 
eruption over the mountain. 
a. Kalauea. 
Kilauea is a deep pit in the sides of Mount Loa. The gentle slopes 
of the dome in this part scarcely vary from a plain, and the crater 
appears like a vast gulf, excavated out of the rock-built structure. 
Although there is no cone, the country around is slightly raised above 
the general level, as if by former eruptions over the surface; but this 
is hardly apparent without extended and careful examination. 
The traveller perceives his approach to the crater in a few small 
clouds of steam rising from fissures not far from his path. While 
gazing for a second indication he stands unexpectedly upon the brink 
of the pit. A vast amphitheatre seven miles and a half in circuit has 
opened to view. Beneath a gray rocky precipice of 650 feet, forming 
the bold contour, a narrow plain of hardened lava, (the “ black ledge,’’) 
extends like a vast gallery around the whole interior. Within this 
gallery, below another similar precipice of 340 feet, lies the bottom, a 
wide plain of bare rock more than two miles in length. 
The eye naturally ranged over the whole area for something like 
volcanic action, as it is usually described. But all was singularly 
quiet. In the dark plain that forms the bottom, there was little to 
attract attention beside the utter dreariness of the place, excepting 
certain spots of a blood-red colour which appeared to be in constant 
yet gentle agitation. Instead of beholding a sea of molten lava “ roll- 
ing to and fro its fiery surge and flaming billows,” we were surprised 
at the stillness of the scene. The incessant motion in the blood-red 
pools was like that of a cauldron in constant ebullition. ‘The lava in 
each boiled with such activity as to cause a rapid play of jets over its 
