Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/218

164 (although calm at the base,) was hazy, and excepting high peaks and conspicuous headlands, I lost the most interesting minutiæ.

The volcano now consists of three craters. The outer is about five hundred yards in diameter, having the peak or highest lip on the western edge. Within, it is precipitous, from the peak to about one hundred and fifty feet. From the inner base at that depth, the second inner volcano rose to about eighty feet, having within it another small cone, which is inactive. Around the western base of the first or inner, the cliffs rise precipitous, with pines growing luxuriantly from the vertical face of the precipice. Hot vapours arise in many points, and doubtless to this cause they are indebted for their peculiar healthy and luxuriant condition.

No minerals worthy of carriage were observed. We had been informed that sulphur was abundant, but those who descended to look for it saw none. The temperature of the loose soil in the immediate vicinity of the upper hot spring, which exceeded the limits of my thermometers, I should estimate to be near the boiling point, probably 196°. It speedily warmed me to an unpleasant degree through thick boots.

The view of the immediate neighbourhood was very beautiful, and fully repaid our exertions. The map of the country was at our feet; even the main features of the lake of Managua were available. Myriads of field bugs and other insects pestered us.