VOLCANIC VA tfORAMA. 239 
the numerous small craters on its borders ; the 
dense columns of vapour and smoke that rose at 
the north and south end of the plain ; together 
with the ridge of steep rocks by which it was sur¬ 
rounded, rising probably in some places three or 
four hundred 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 an astonishment had 
subsided, we remained a considerable time con¬ 
templating a scene, which it is impossible to 
describe, and which filled us with wonder and 
admiration at the almost overwhelming manifes¬ 
tation 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 decom¬ 
posed lava, the natives requested us not to kaha, 
a heru ka one , strike, scratch, or dig the sand, 
assuring us it would displease Pele, and be fol¬ 
lowed by an irruption of lava,* or other expression 
* It appears singular that similar ideas respecting the 
consequences 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 ofTanna, 
speaking of their making a hole, and burying their ther¬ 
mometer, 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 
