In the Volcanic Region 
115 
may, perhaps, later oust the smaller senecio and conyze^ species, 
whilst the Senecio Johnstonii may spread over the whole cone up 
to its summit. Later on the larger stalked lobelia may make its 
appearance. 
After a toilsome ascent of three hours’ duration, we set up 
camp about 500 metres below the peak, in the saddle between 
the middle and the south crater. We were surrounded by a 
dense mist, which obscured our view of the summits. We had 
hardly fixed the last tent when a storm broke over our heads, 
accompanied by a tremendous shower of hail, which quickly 
transformed the aspect of the scene into one of winter. The 
temperature sank correspondingly rapidly, and the cold was so 
severe that the poor carriers crowded into the cover of the tents 
for protection against it. Then the heavens suddenly cleared, 
and the summit of the volcano stood out in splendid relief, 
like a dark silhouette against the passing clouds. We had 
profited by our rest to make a scanty meal, and at once set 
about attempting the ascent to the summit. The slope rises at an 
angle of 35 degrees, and the climb was rendered exceedingly 
arduous in consequence of the slight foothold afforded by the 
stony ground. Moreover, the unaccustomed rarity of the air 
made itself oppressively felt, so that one was compelled to stop 
still nearly every hundred paces and breathe heavily, whilst one’s 
heart beat audibly. Had we conceived any idea of the picture 
awaiting us, however, we would have hurried more. For 
in a few moments we were gazing down speechless into a colossal 
arena indescribable in its grandeur. 
The flattened summit of Ninagongo is almost entirely occupied 
by a mighty and nearly circular eruptive area, the Count 
Gotzen crater. I christened it thus in honour of its intrepid 
discoverer. The inner walls fall away steep below and terminate 
in an almost level lava bottom, in the centre of which two steep- 
walled eruptive shafts have been blasted out; these lie in juxta¬ 
position, giving the appearance of a very large and somewhat 
flattened figure 8. The measurements taken by Lieutenant Weiss 
will best give an idea of the enormous dimensions of the Count 
