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MISSIONARY TOUR 
by which it was surrounded, rising probably in some 
places 300 or 400 feet in perpendicular height, pre¬ 
sented an immense volcanic panorama, the effect of 
which was greatly augmented by the constant roaring 
of the vast furnaces below. 
After the first feelings of astonishment had subsided, 
we remained a considerable time contemplating a scene, 
which it is impossible to describe, and which filled us 
with wonder and admiration at the almost overwhelm¬ 
ing manifestation it affords of the power of that dread 
Being who created the world, and who has declared 
that by fire he will one day destroy it. We then 
walked along the west side of the crater, and in half 
an hour reached the north end. 
While walking over the plain, which was covered 
with a thin layer of what appeared like indurated sand, 
but which we afterwards found to be decomposed lava, 
the natives requested us not to Jcaha, a heru Tea one , 
strike, scratch, or dig the sand, assuring us it would 
displease Pēlē, and be followed by an irruption of lava,* 
or other expression of vengeance from this goddess of 
the volcano, of whose power and displeasure they had 
* It appears singular that similar ideas respecting the conse- 
sequences of disturbing the earth in the vicinity of volcanoes, 
should prevail here, as among the natives of the New Hebrides. 
Forster, in his account of a visit to a place somewhat resembling 
this, in the island of Tanna, speaking of their making a hole, and 
burying their thermometer, says, “The natives, who observed 
that we stirred in the solfatarra, (as he called the places where 
the smoke and vapour issued,) desired us to leave it, telling us it 
would take fire, and resemble the volcano, which they called 
Assoor. They seemed to be extremely apprehensive of some 
mischance, and were very uneasy as often as we made the least 
attempt to disturb the sulphureous earth/’ — Forst. Voy. vol. ii. 
page 308. 
