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(S) side of the mountain lie with their heads pointing North, the portions resting on the pumice are charred; nearly all were Silver Birch of about 25 years growth. In the last eruption a depth of two to three feet of pumice fell here.
Emerging from the woods on to the superior slope of the mountain, and tramping over the pumice, I observed much young birch springing up in many places, especially in the gullies or where the prostrate trunks of the former forest shew above ground. It is 24 miles over loose pumice to the top of the lip of the old crater (and 2800 feet above the sea). Two jagged peaks, connected by a curtain of ashes, rise some 500 feet higher on the western side. The section of these peaks as shewn on the inner wall exhibits many beds of compressed volcanic ash, and near the top, two partial layers of lava, capped by basaltic rock of eccentric form.
The side of the crater towards Volcano Bay is completely blown away and the pumice extends to the sea in that direction.
To the S. E. the pumice has blocked up the valley below, forming two very pretty lakes (mentioned before). The beds of these lakes contain remains of the old forest.
The land in the vicinity of the lakes is swampy and covered with dense wood consisting of oak, ash, birch and a large variety of the useless poplar. Wild swans inhabit the lakes and are said to be very shy.
Within the great basin or crater, (which is some 34 of a mile in diameter), are six distinct smaller craters, one of which was in activity two years ago. The bottom of this one is some 220 feet below the old upper lip and about 120 feet below the general level of the great basin.
Another of the six is about 100 feet deep. The rainfall in the basin drains into these smaller craters and volumes of steam escape from many apertures in their sides. Native sulphur and iron sand lie strewn about.
The view from the summit looking S. W. shews some fine ranges of hills, clothed in wood and without signs of cultivation.
