44 HA WAIIAN G VIDE B OK. 



hiding by its beautiful profusion the parent stalk, will 

 attract attention and excite the admiration by its deli- 

 cate contrast of pink and white, especially when grow- 

 ing in proximity to the jet black berries of a vagrant 

 plant resembling moss ; both are beautiful and tempting 

 but worthless. An interesting characteristic of the 

 limbs of some of the trees will be noticed in' the fantas- 

 tic robes of luxuriant moss that multiply their real 

 dimensions to huge propoi*tions. 



A sure guarantee of wind and weather can no more 

 be expected of a guide book than a similar prediction 

 in " Poor Richard's Almanac." The start may be in a 

 clear and cloudless sky, and the day may so continue ; 

 yet after a few miles half numb, half stifling sensations 

 creeping over the limbs may bring to mind the pure, 

 pungent atmosphere of a New England morning in 

 March. Or, the clouds may gather around, as the 

 tourist ascends, and leave him to plod his way through 

 a cold and cheerless rain. Rising higher the atmos- 

 phere rarefies, the clouds scatter, and again the mountain 

 toj> is in sight. Where the rain clouds cease, vegeta- 

 tion mostly ceases, and the region of sterile rock begins. 

 This point is about 8,000 feet above the sea. The as- 

 cent here is literally through a field of lava scorias 

 very fatiguing to man and beast. The distance to 

 the summit is now only four or five miles, but your 

 faithful horse will be sure to give out unless he was 

 carefully shod at the start. No hoof, unshod, can en- 

 dure incessant grinding over rough lava. 



The road is so passable that after four or five hours 

 of riding from the village, the brow of the crater is 

 reached. The view is limited from this spot, and, dis- 



