THE MALAY RACE. 



96; 



whole phenomenon, with its accompaniments, resolved itself into a 

 simple spring- or fountain of liquid rock. 



A pit of such enormous dimensions was of itself a novel object: as 

 it afforded a view of part of an actual section of the globe, and rendered 

 strikingly manifest, the relative insignificance in point of size of the 

 living beings on its surface. 



During- the ascent of Mauna Roa, a mountain nearly thirteen thou- 

 sand five hundred feet in height, the natives abandoned us; a circum- 

 stance not to be wondered at, considering their scanty clothing and 

 the severity of the cold. The undertaking was completed through 

 the aid of part of the crew of the Vincennes; who however, proved 

 decidedly less efficient in carrying burdens. The bleakness of the 

 exposure on this mountain, is illustrated by the presence of a species 

 of goose, which here finds a congenial climate, as other kinds do on 

 the Peruvian Andes and in Terra del Fuego. 



After remaining about the summit for five days, I returned to Hilo ; 

 and next, in company with Mr. Brackenridge, set out for Mauna Kea. 

 Two days' journeying through a dense and humid forest, brought us 

 to the region of frosts, and to the open pastoral district where cattle 

 have run wild. Mauna Kea is about two hundred feet higher than 

 Mauna Roa; but its upper portion being steeper and more uneven, 

 affords shelter from the winds; and the traveller is further favoured 

 in respect to fuel and water. The terminal hillocks only were brushed 

 with snow; but on reaching them, we found the wind violent, while 

 water froze in a few moments in the bright sunshine. 



We returned through a different part of the before-mentioned 

 forest, and arrived at the coast about twenty miles from Hilo. 

 Owing, however, to the numerous and very deep ravines, and the 

 want of good landing-places, there is very little communication ; and 

 we even experienced difficulty in purchasing provisions, as coin was 

 not valued. Two rough blocks of stone near the path, were pointed 

 out; and we were told, that in former times, "the penalty of death 

 was attached to coming within their shadow." 



In the district of Hilo, poi is sometimes made from the bread-fruit, 

 l)Ut it is less esteemed than the usual kind : nevertheless, I was sur- 

 prised at the little attention given to gathering such an important 

 esculent as the bread-fruit. The cocoa-nut also, was found to be 

 much neglected throughout the group. 



On the 20th of January, 1841, I set out on an excursion to the new 

 lava-stream, which had issued from Kilauea a few months previously. 



