30 MOUNTAINS, 
friends. The water in the basin was greatly agitated, and 
flowed over, but there was not any jet. The same occurred 
at half past two. At five minutes past four on Saturday 
morning, an alarm was given by one of the company. A* 
•our traveller lay next the door of the tent, he instantly 
drew aside the canvas, wlien, at a distance of little moro 
than fifty yards, a most extraordinary and magnificent ap- 
pearance presented itself. From a place tliey had not 
before noticed, they saw water tlirovvn up, and steam 
issuing with a tremendous noise. There was little wtiter ; 
but the force with which the steam escaped, produced a 
white column of spray and vapour, at least sixlv feet high. 
They enjoyed this astonishing and beautiful sight until seven 
o’clock, when it gradually disappeared. 
The remaining part of the morning was occupied in 
■examiiftng the environs of the Geysers ; tuid at every step 
they received some new gratification. Following the chan- 
nel which had been formed by the water escaping from the 
great basin during the eruptions, tliey found several beau- 
tiful and delicate petrifactions. The leaves of birch and 
willow were .seen converted into white stone, and in tli« 
most perfect state of pre.servation, every minute fibre being 
entire. Grass and rushes were in die same state, and .also 
masses of peat. Several of these rai'e and elegant sjxi- 
cimens were brought safely to Great Britain. On die out- 
side of the mount of the Geyser, the depositions, owing to 
die splashing of the water, are rough, and have been justly 
compared to the heads of cauliflowers. They are ot a 
yellowish brown colour, and .are arranged round the mount> 
■somewhat like a circular flight of steps. Tlie inside ot tlio 
basin is comparatively smooth ; and the matter forming !'• 
is more compact and dense dian the exterior crust ; wheo 
polished, it is not devoid of beauty, being of a grey colmiff 
mottled with black and white spots and streaks. Th*-’ 
white incrustation formed by the water of the beautifm 
ciivitv before described, had taken a very curious tbrm at tlaJ 
water’s edge, wry much resembling the capital of 
Gothic column. 
