4 
IN FORBIDDEN SEAS 
deposited around the orifices. Close by this, and 
only a few feet above sea-level, are the springs of 
boiling mud and water. The hot water flows in a 
small stream into the basin of the crater. The water, 
as may be imagined, smells and tastes strongly of 
sulphur. 
Ushishir, although one of the smallest islands 
of the group, is exceptionally interesting, partly on 
account of its formation, and also for the marvellous 
number of birds which resort to it during the summer 
season. It is separated into two parts, joined by a 
bouldery reef. The northern portion is flattish on 
top, grass-grown, and about a mile in extent. The 
southern part, which is rather more than a mile in 
diameter, is a hollow volcanic crater which has been 
breached on its south side, giving access to the sea. 
The outer entrance to this crater is between high 
perpendicular cliffs of rock on the west side, and a 
lofty dome-shaped rock, some rocky cliffs, and a 
ridge of sandy and pumiceous hills, on the east side. 
A short distance inside the points two low 
bouldery spits run out, one from each side, and 
approach each other to within about 20 yards. 
Still farther in is another spit, extending from the 
eastern side, and reaching nearly across to the 
western side of the crater. On this spit there is a 
narrow but lofty peaked ridge, mostly overgrown 
with grass. Between the inner and outer spits the 
water is shallow, with a sandy bottom, there being 
only sufficient depth for a boat to pass in. Through 
the openings the sea flows in and out with the rise 
and fall of the tide. Beyond the second spit extends 
a perfectly land-locked circular basin, the lips of 
which are from 500 feet to nearly 1,400 feet above 
