Hakone Lake is three thousand feet above the sea,
and probably lies in the crater of an extinct volcano. Its waters are
very deep; it is several miles long and wide, and is surrounded by high
hills which abound in fine scenery, solfataras and mineral springs.
HOT SPRINGS NEAR HAKONE LAKE
At this place the mountain seems to be smouldering, as sulphur fumes
and steam issue at many points, and the ground is covered with a friable
white alkaline substance. In many a hollow the water bubbles with clouds
of vapor and sulphuretted hydrogen; here the soil is hot and evidently
underlaid by active fires. It is not safe to go very near, as the crust
is thin and crumbling. The water running down the hills has a refreshing
sound and a tempting clearness, but the thirsty tongue at once detects
it to be a very strong solution of alum. The whole aspect of the place
is infernal, and naturally suggests the name given its principal geyser,
O-gigoko (Big Hell).
Fujiyama is almost a perfect cone, with, as above said, a truncated top,
in which is the crater. It is, however, less steep than Mayon. Its upper
part is comparatively steep, even to thirty-five degrees, but below this
portion the inclination gradually lessens, till its elegant outlines are
lost in the plain from which it rises. The curves of the sides depend
partly on the nature, size and shape of the ejected material, the fine
uniform pieces remaining on comparatively steep slopes, while the larger
and rounder ones roll farther down, resting on the inclination that
afterward becomes curved from the subsidence of the central mass.
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