A F R - 1 N D I A N REGIONS. 



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on the other hand, were there marks anywhere along the junction of a 

 depression of the surface-level. Entering upon the " black ledge," we pro- 

 ceeded to a fissure in the Eastern wall, recognized in the distance by a 

 congealed lava-cascade; the stream that issued from it in A. D. 1832. 



The " black ledge" is subject to at least partial fusion and renewal. 

 Rev. Mr. Coan " during the last five years had been repeatedly at the 

 Great Crater. The sides remained unchanged, except by the falling 

 of some slight avalanches. Formerly, the volcanic action was more 

 regular and sluggish, less uneasy than of late : the pit in the centre 

 was much as it is now, but larger, leaving the ' black ledge' narrower. 

 Just previous to the recent Eruption in May, the lava had risen grad- 

 ually and accumulated, so that the centre was in flict much higher 

 than the ' black ledge :' the surface was very uneven, with hillocks, 

 and there were various small lakes, some of them upon the ' black 

 ledge' itself: the large lake still maintained its existence, but had 

 very elevated banks. A few days before the Eruption, according to 

 the testimony of natives, the whole interior mass was in a state of 

 fusion :" and Mr. Coan expressed himself as " confident, that every 

 particle of matter within the Great Crater had undergone fusion 

 within the year." In confirmation of this opinion, I found the margin 

 of the " black ledge" singularly free from fallen debris ; even where 

 the sides of the crater, being neither perpendicular nor very sloping, 

 are subject to the above-mentioned slight avalanches. On the other 

 hand, imbedded debris were also absent ; the material of the wall, 

 accumulated lava-streams, being perhaps too homogeneous to form 

 conglomerates. 



The question of the total fusing of the " black ledge" had not en- 

 gaged my attention, when crossing the place where the lava-stream of 

 1832 flowed backwards into the crater. I certainly did not remark 

 any breaking-off by melting, where the stream had entered upon and 

 flowed over the surface of the " black ledge :" but the spot deserves 

 more careful examination, and may be commended to future observers 

 as a chronological landmark. 



Turning away, we next proceeded to the central pit; and looking 

 down upon the molten lake from the Northeast, remained for some 

 time watching. A change had taken place during the night, in the 

 formation of a third lake at a little distance from the large one, sepa- 

 rated from it by an isthmus, and much resembling a diminutive 

 crater; its banks being higher than those of the large lake, from the 



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