Viewing page 51 of 81

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[preprinted]] 96 [[/preprinted]]

St. Vincent 35.

From here the path again follows a ridge, gaining its summit at about the limit of trees (about 1500 feet on this side), and then following up the narrow crest to the top of the mountain. The path is steep and very rough, being covered in most places with cinders and ash. I couldn't find anything light enough to be pumice.
Two large flat hills cap the mountain as seen from the path. These are remnants of lava flows -- many successive ones. One of them has been sectioned by weathering and at least a dozen separate flows can be seen, some longer than others and flowing down over their ends. If there were ever any extensive flows on this side of the peak, all signs have disappeared. 
Recent streams have deeply channeled many of the slopes. The hills look brown in very striking contrast with the mountains to the south which are densely forested. Here the only vegetation consists of small plants which form a thick mat over the ground, and occasional stunted tree ferns. 
As I climbed up to the saddle between the two lava hills, I expected to see the

[[end page]]

[[start page]]

[[preprinted]] 97 [[/preprinted]]

actual peak beyond. Instead I looked down into a blue lake about a thousand feet below. The crater has nearly perpendicular walls all around, but these are much higher on the north-east side. The lake must be about a half mile in diameter, and has been several feet higher at some time, as there is a mark all around. The lowest point of the rim (north-west) seems to be filled with a lava flow. I walked for some distance around the crater rim, and ate lunch. I reached the top at 11:15. The highest point is not on the crater but to the north. The so-called New Crater is over there, but the approaching fog prevented my going there. Georgetown and Chateaubelair were both plainly visible, and Grenada and the Grenadines were in the distance.
[[underline]] Station 182. [[/underline]]
The south rim of SoufriƩre, St. Vincent. Elevation about 3900 feet. A queer looking small centipede found dead on the ground at the very brink of the crater. Each segment of it seventeen or so has two lateral expansions that triple the width of the creature. No beetles were found, only grasshoppers & butterflies.

[[end page]]