In  the  Pacific  there  are  various  indications  of  the
submarine  volcanic  action.  Ships  occasionally  feel  a
blow  from  beneath,  when  traversing  the  deep  sea,  as
if  they  had  struck  on  ground.  Nearer  the  coast  of
South  America  marine  geysers  occur.  From  a  small
circular  space  vapour  is  seen  ascending,  and  on  entering
the  circle  the  water  is  found  to  be  of  scalding  heat
The  great  wave,  or  rising  of  the  sea  which  occasionally
takes  place,  and  sometimes  with  lamentable  results,  is
in  all  probability  due  to  an  earthquake  below  the
depths  of  ocean,  producing  unusually  deep  oscillation  of
the  waters.  In  December  1860,  during  fine  weather
with  very  little  wind,  the  sea  gradually  rose  in  the  har-
bour of  Kahului,  Island  of  Maui,  eight  or  ten  feet  above
its  ordinary  high- water  level,  spreading  over  the  beach,
destroying  several  fences,  but  doing  no  further  damage.
The  next  morning  the  sea,  though  still  very  fidl,  had
greatly  subsided  in  height,  but  throughout  the  day  the
bay  was  full  of  rip-tides,  and  the  water  boiled  as  in
a  kettle.  At  Maliko,  on  the  same  island,  the  sea  ran
inland  up  a  little  valley,  and  washed  away  a  small
hamlet  of  ten  or  twelve  native  houses,  leaving  only
one  standing.  As  the  rising  was  gradual,  the  people
received  warning,  and  no  lives  were  lost.
16  HAWAIIAN   ISLANDS.
