706
There are a few stunted trees and bushes growing
near the water's edge, inside the great crater of
Rana Kao. This remarkable volcano is 1,327 feet
high. The diameter of the crater at the top is
4,150 feet. At the water line inside it measures
2,085 feet across. The depth from the top to the
lake is 600 feet, so that the surface of the
latter is 727 feet above the sea level. The
crater is nearly a perfect circle and unbroken at its
upper edge, except at a point at its southern
side, toward the ocean, where exists a large
cleft or motels, through which, no doubt, the
lava, when the volcano was active, found its way
to the sea, and perhaps assisted in forming the
small adjacent islands of Mutu Nui and
Mutu Raukau.
It was to this latter island that their swimming matches
were annually held, in the effort to see who
should be the first to reach it, climb to the
precipitous sides, and bring back one of the
sacred eggs of the sea bird, to which they
attached such a superstitious value, and which
conferred kingship for the year on the lucky
captor for his prowess. This rock, covered with
birdlime, looks at a little distance like a huge
inverted stalactite projecting high in air from
the depths of the sea. The labor and difficulty
involved in mounting it, therefore,
may be imagined.
The interior of the crater (Rana
Kao) is distinctly conical in shape, resembling a
vast amphitheater, and presents a magnificent
view. Trails lead to the bottom, in various
directions, evidently the tracks worn by animals;
but the descent, as well as the ascent, is most
difficult, and but very few ever attempt the feat.
Grazing around the edge of the
lake, as well as on the floor of vegetable matter
floating on its surface, could be seen cattle
which looked, at that dizzy height, of about the
size of sheep, and sheep which appeared like
rabbits. The lake at the bottom has been sounded
by Mr. Salmon to a depth of 300 feet, when his
line parted, without touching bottom. The surface
edge is covered, over almost its entire extent,
with a thick, dense, intertwined, vegetable
growth, the accumulation of many years, from
which grow small trees and bushes of considerable
size. At various places, and few in number, over
this floating, elastic, vegetable floor, which
rises and falls as the water in the lake increases
or diminishes in quantity, according as it is the rainy or
dry season, are
openings of variable size and irregular circular
shape, through which the water appears, rippled by
the passing winds, and to which the animals
resort to drink. Around these openings the
vegetation is of a vivid green, evidencing present
and vigorous growth, as well as gradual but steady
encroachment on the small remaining free surface
of the lake, so that in course of time it will no
doubt become entirely covered. Other portions of
the vegetable mass are of a deeper shade of green,
while still other and older parts are of varying
tints of brown. Cattle and sheep may be seen
browsing unconcernedly over various portions of
the floating floor of vegetation, a curious and
interesting spectacle, and instinctively, perhaps,
avoiding the treacherous places
706