letter xxix.] THE TWO LAKES OF FIRE. 253 



So far as we could judge, the level of the lake had- sunk to 

 about 80 feet below the margin, and the lately formed precipice 

 was overhanging it considerably. About seven feet back from 

 the edge of the ledge, there was a fissure about eighteen inches 



Outline of Halemaumau, June 4. 



wide, emitting heavy fumes of sulphurous acid gas. Our visit 

 seemed in vain, for on the risky verge of this crack we could 

 only get momentary glimpses of wallowing fire, glaring lurid 

 through dense masses of furious smoke which were rolling 

 themselves round in the abyss as if driven by a hurricane. 



After failing to get a better standpoint, we suffered so much 

 from the gases, that we coasted the north, till we reached the 

 south lake, one with the other on my former visit, but now 

 separated by a solid lava barrier about three hundred feet 

 broad, and eighty high. Here there was comparatively little 

 smoke, and the whole mass of contained lava was ebullient 

 and incandescent, its level marked the whole way round by a 

 shelf or rim of molten lava, which adhered to the side, as ice 

 often adheres to the margin of rapids, when the rest of the 

 water is liberated and in motion. There was very little centri- 

 petal action apparent. Though the mass was violently agitated 

 it always took a southerly direction, and dashed itself with 

 fearful violence against some lofty, undermined cliffs which 

 formed its southern limit. The whole region vibrated with the 

 shock of the fiery surges. To stand there was " to snatch a 



