VANCOUVER'S EXPLORATION.
The next English expedition to the Hawaiian Islands after the death of Captain Cook was that commanded by George Van couver in the year 1793-4, published in 1798. Vancouver had visited the islands before, having been connected with the staff of Captain Cook. King George the Third commissioned him to ex plore distant lands for a term of four years and to aid, so far as possible, in the improvement of the early nationalities. Thus he was the agent of the importation of domestic cattle into Hawaii. The Hawaiian King placed a upon them for ten years, which proved effectual for their continuance. At the present date it is possible to obtain descendants of these early cattle just as lions and elephants may be hunted in Africa. Sheep were also turned loose in the forests by Vancouver, but they did not sur vive long because they were hunted down by dogs. Other do mestic animals that have reverted to the wild state are swine, horses, dogs, poultry and turkeys.
Upon the eleventh of January, 1794, Vancouver observed col umns of smoke arising from Kilauea, which were recognized as volcanic exhalations. After reaching the anchorage of Karaka
kooa parties were organized to explore the interior, under the direction of Archibald Menzies, the distinguished botanist. They first ascended Hualalai, or Worroway, which they found to be a volcano over 8,000 feet high, with several small well defined craters upon its summit, which were figured in the narrative. A second trip penetrated the forest between Hualalai and Mauna Loa for a distance of sixteen Finally the successful at tempt was made to ascend Mauna Loa. Vancouver did not pre sent the results of this trip in his narrative, for some unexplained reason. Being fully persuaded that the manuscript account of this exploration must be in existence, I authorized Dr. Henry Woodward, the well known English geologist, to search for it in London, and through his efforts have come into possession of a copy. Because of its great value as a record of the first attempt to climb this mountain by Europeans, and of the condition of the volcano at that time, it is herewith presented in full.