d we had only to enlarge any of the vapor
holes to obtain it in its pure crystallized state. We were now
within a few yards of the crater--huge bubbles of boiling mud were
rising several feet from the surface of the lake--the heat and
sulphurous vapor were almost insupportable; it was evident that no
animal life could long exist here. But before leaving this caldron,
one of the mids, more venturous than the rest, climbed up a small,
semi-detached hill, and his example being followed, we beheld a
scene that beggars all description. In full activity a roaring
fountain shot up into the scorching atmosphere: we deemed this to
be molten sulphur, but no flame was visible in the daylight; stones
were thrown in, but they were projected into the air as high as the
ship's mast-heads. It was a sight never to be forgotten; and we
retraced our steps to the boats with the satisfaction of having
been permitted to make a closer examination of this grand natural
curiosity than any previous visitor. We saw no indication of either
animal or insect life, and it is not likely that any can exist on
this island. On the beach, which was composed of large bowlders,
lay the bones of an enormous whale, and a couple of whale birds
hovered round the boats as they pulled back to the ship.'

Here we have an account agreeing in every respect, as far as it goes,
with the appearance of the desolate valley known as 'Geyser Canon,' the
same 'burnt-out' look of the land, the same jets of steam, large and
small, and boiling caldrons of mud.

'The surface of the soil was soft and yielding,' according to the
gallant captain, and the punching of a stick called out spiteful little
jets of steam. It is to be regretted, however, that the observant
officer does not acquaint us with the taste of the waters. Probably one
swallow was enough for him, if it was sulphur water; and he does not
even tell us that, so that it is impossible to say whether the numerous
kinds of salts noticed in California are to be traced here. His
testimony is explicit that these 'geysers' occur on the sides of a great
volcano.[7]

Thus, in conclusion, it will be seen how a comparison of all the
phenomena occurring in the 'Devil's Canon'--where, without any other
positive proof, we suspect the existence of a deep-seated volcano--with
similar thermal springs and jets of steam on the sides of known