No. 445 ] ERUPTION OF MOUNT PELEE. 67 



the water 20°. 5. Nevertheless, the temperature seemed much 

 colder on account of a north wind blowing strongly at the time, 

 and the dense fog over the mountain. This prevented them 

 from viewing the magnificent spectacle ordinarily seen when the 

 weather was fair— a view inclusive from the (irenadincs to 

 Antigua. The water of the lake was as abuiulant and as clear 

 as usual. A maceration within it of certain xcgctable matter 

 gives it a grassy taste. Before arriving at the lake it was nec- 

 essary to cross a crevasse 40 m. wide, which crosses the wliolc 

 width of the spur that they followed, and is well known to those 

 who have taken this excursion. This crevasse Ikis not been 

 changed at all nor widened. Neither on the road nor from any 

 point of view was any trace of disturbance seen. 



The bottom of the lake is carpeted with a layer of thin mud 

 and this rests upon a heap of fragments of pumice of yellowish 

 gray color partly decomposed and recemented by a little ferrugi- 

 nous clay. On the southwest border of the lake a small beach 

 has formed, composed of very fine grains from the debris of 

 these pumiceous rocks which the movement of the waves, raised 

 by the north wind, bring there continually, fr)r there is not on 

 that side any elevation to protect the rocks from the action of 

 the wind. At the summit of Morne LaCroix the barometer 

 gave an elevation of 1277 meters above the level of the sea. 

 This is the highest point of the island. The thermometer in 

 air gave i8°.5 and in earth i9°.2. From this point steam coukl 

 be seen toward the west, coming out of the upi>er craters 400 

 meters lower down. A little more to the left not quite so far 

 down there was seen from time to time a water surface showing 

 bluish reflection, filling the basin called formerly by the guides 

 the "dry pond" (etang sec), because ordinarily this basin is 

 empty. 



Even on the plants of the summit of Morne La C roix, traces 

 of volcanic cinders were found which had been carried to this 

 point. Messrs. Le Prieur and Peyraud, not being willing to 

 leave the mountain without a visit to the dry pond which is 

 commonly believed to be another UK^re ancient crater of the 

 volcano- — visited it during their descent by means of a trail 

 rarely used, very difficult and seld<jm visited before they went 



