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at our feet more than half filled with the most beautiful hot chrystaline water, which was but just moved by a gentle ebullition, occasioned by the escape of steam from a cylindrical pipe or funnel in the centre.
Having stood some time in silent admiration of the magnificent spectacle which this matchless fountain, even in a state of inactivity, presents to the view, as there were no indications of an immediate eruption, we returned to the spote where we had left our horses; and, as it formed a small eminence at the base of the hill, and commanded a view of the whole tract, we fixed on it as the site of our tents. About thirty-eight minutes past five, we were apprized, by low reports, and a s'ight concussion of the ground, that an eruption was about to take place; but only a few small jets were thrown up, and the water in the basin did not rise above the surface of the outlets. At fifteen minutes past eight we counted five or six reports, that shook the mound on which we stood, but no remarkable jet followed: the water only boiled with great violence, and, by its heavings, caused a number of small waves to flow towards the margin of the basin, which, at the same time, received an addition to its contents. Twenty-five minutes past nine, as I returned from the neighbouring hill, I heard reports which were both louder and more numerous than any of the preceding, and exactly resembled the distant discharge of a park of artillery. Concluding from these circumstances that the long expected
