142 



MISS HILDA BOORD^ ON 



to compare its highest shots of from 800 feet to 1,500 feet, with 

 those of other known geysers. Here is the description given 

 by Mr. Campbell of the play of the " Great Geyser," Iceland. 



"It was a grand display, and well worth all the waiting. 

 Instead of ending suddenly or gradually, the steam salute shot 

 faster and faster ; thuds followed each other rapidly, and the 

 whole ground shook ; then the sound of dashing water and the 

 music of waves was added to the turmoil. A great dome rose 

 in the middle of the pool, and frequent waves dashed over the 

 edge of the basin, while streams overflowed and drenched the 

 whole mound. Great masses of rolling steam burst out of the 

 water-domes, and rose in the still air, swelling like white 

 cumulus clouds against a hard blue sky. At last the whole 

 pool, 50 odd feet wide, rose up, a single dome of boiling water, 

 and burst ; and then the column in the tube, 70 feet deep and 

 20 feet wide, was shot out of the bell-mouthed blunderbuss 

 with a great burst of steam. The charge scattered ; it rose 

 about 80 feet, and most of it fell back and sank in with a rush ; 

 and so the glittering fountain rose thrice, like some mighty 

 ffrowth.'"' 



o 



Professor Barrett, in whose article on geysers, in Science for 

 All, I found the above quotation, goes on to say, the height to 

 which the column of water is thrown has been variously 

 estimated. The earliest records — a century ago — say 360 feet ; 

 but in modern times 100 feet seems to be the general opinion, 

 and this has been confirmed by careful measurements made by 

 competent observers. 



In the Yellowstone National Park the three largest geysers, 

 the " Grand," " Old Faithful," and the " Giantess " throw their 

 waters respectively to the maximum height of 200 feet, 130 feet, 

 jvnd 250 feet. The " Beehive " may also be mentioned ; it sends 

 a spout 200 feet high. 



When it is realized that in every case the steam of course rises 

 many times higher than the water-shoot, of which we have been 

 mainly thinking, a better idea may be gained of the magnificent 

 spectacle presented by a geyser, even though it fall short of the 

 stupendous heights reached by some of the monsters we have 

 been considering. 



A short description of White Island, mentioned above in the 

 guide's account, may not be amiss here. It is from a New 

 Zealand paper of three years ago : — 



White Island, the active volcano situated in the Bay of 

 Plenty, some thirty miles off' the coast, is one of the most 

 remarkable islands in the world. It is in direct line with the 



