MAUI, lying 25 miles N.W. of Hawaii, is composed of two moun_tains connected by a sandy isthmus 7 or 8 miles long by 6 miles across, and so low that the depression of a few feet would concert Maui into two islands. Haleakala, the mountain to the N.W., has a height of 10,032 feet, and forms a great dome-like mass with a circumference at the base of 90 miles, and with regular slopes of only 3' or 9°, so that travellers may ride to the top on horseback. The extinct crater on its summit, the largest in the world, has a length from E. to W. of 71 miles, and a width of 24 miles, with an area of about 16 square miles. The circuit of the walls, which are' composed of a hard grey elinkstone much fissured, is from 18 to 20 miles. The depth, measured from the highest point of the rim, is 2720 feet. At the bottom are 16 cones 500 or 600 feet high, formed long after the top of the great crater had been destroyed, perhaps by explosions. On the east and north are two great gaps in the walls from 1 to 3 miles wide, through each of which has poured a copious flood of lava which nearly reached the sea. These streams, though of unknown date arc comparatively modern, for they have blocked up several ravines in their progress. A little impure sulphur is found in the crater, but there is not the feast sign of igneous activity at present on the island. Eeka, the mountain at the south-east of Maui, is 5820 feet high. Volcanic action appears to have ceased here at a much earlier period than on Haleakala, there being no craters on the summit or sides, whilst the slopes have been denuded into deep valleys separated by narrow sharp ridges.

Lahaina (population 3000), on the north-west shore, is the residence of the governor. It is a decaying place situated in a glove of cocoanut and other tropical trees. The roadstead is roomy and sheltered, and there is regular steam communication with Honolulu, about 72 miles distant. A native Hawaiian college in the neighbourhood is supported by Government. Foreigners reside at Lahaina, as well as at Wailaku (population 4000), a town on the east shore of the island. They are principally employed in the cultivation of sugar.