The heat was intense, and the stinging sulphurous gases which were
given forth in large quantities, most poisonous. The group of cones
west of this one, was visited by Mr. Green; but he found it
impossible to make any further explorations. He has seen nearly all
the recent volcanic phenomena, but says that these cones present the
most "infernal" appearance he has ever witnessed. We returned for a
last look at Halemaumau, but the smoke was so dense, and the sulphur
fumes so stifling, that, as in a fearful dream, we only heard the
thunder of its hidden surges. I write thunder, and one speaks of
the lashing of its waves; but these are words pertaining to the
familiar earth, and have no place in connection with Kilauea. The
breaking lava has a voice all its own, full of compressed fury. Its
sound, motion, and aspect are all infernal. Hellish, is the only
fitting term.
We are dwelling on a cooled crust all over Southern Hawaii, the
whole region is recent lava, and between this and the sea there are
several distinct lines of craters thirty miles long, all of which at
some time or other have vomited forth the innumerable lava streams
which streak the whole country in the districts of Kau, Puna, and
Hilo.
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