282 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
has continued in action to the present time, and here, therefore, if we 
may infer any difference in the line, must have been the place of 
maximum intensity in the erupting force, and the widest rupture. 
Moreover, not only does the southeast extremity of the whole line 
of rupture bear evidence of having been the place of maximum effect, 
but in. exact correspondence with the principle stated, the southeast 
end of each subordinate rupture in the line was likewise the maxi- 
mum pointin each. For example, we have stated that on Hawaii, 
Maui, and Oahu, the southeast summit of each was the last to 
become extinct. The proof is beyond doubt, both from tradition and 
topographical features, that on Maui, Hale-a-kala was in action long 
after Keka, as already shown; and the same topographical evidence 
convinces us that the eastern mountain of Oahu was burning long 
subsequently to the western mountain. 
From the facts we deduce— 
1. That there were as many separate rents in the origin of the 
Hawaiian Islands as there are islands. 
2. That each rent was widest in the southeast portion. 
3. That the southeasternmost rent was the largest, the fires con- 
tinuing there longest to burn. 
4. That the correct order of extinction of the great volcanoes is, 
therefore, nearly as follows (leaving out Molokai and Lanai, which 
were not visited by the author, and whose correspondence was not 
ascertained ) :— 
1. Kauai. 
Western Oahu. 
Western Maui, Mount Keka. 
Eastern Oahu. 
Northwestern Hawaii, Mount Kea. 
Southeast Maui, Mount Hale-a-kala. 
7. Southeast Hawaii, Mount Loa.— 
Or, if we substitute numbers for the summits in succession, passing 
from the northwest, 1, for Kauai; 2, 3, for the two of Oahu; 4, 5, for 
the two of Maui; 6 and 7 for Kea and Loa of Hawaii,—the order will 
be as follows :—1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7—the last still burning.* 
CE A oa eS) 
* Since this report was first written, I have received a manuscript from Mr. Couthouy, 
in which views, somewhat similar to the above, are expressed ; and as far as we coincide, 
they afford to the science the independent judgment of another observer. Mr. Couthouy, 
however, only recognises the general fact, that the progress of extinction was from the 
west to the southeast ; and supposes that the vents were formed in this succession. In 
