There is a lake of boiling water in the Island of Dominica, lying in
the mountains behind Roseau, and in the valleys surrounding it are many
solfataras, or volcanic sulphur vents. In fact, the boiling lake is
little better than a crater filled with scalding water, constantly fed
by mountain streams, and through which the pent-up gases find vent and
are ejected. The temperature of the water on the margins of the lake
ranges from 180° to 190° Fahrenheit; in the middle, exactly over the
gas vents, it is believed to be about 300°. Where this active action
takes place the water is said to rise two, three, or even four feet
above the general surface level of the lake, the cone often dividing so
that the orifices through which the gas escapes are legion in number.
This violent disturbance over the gas jets causes a violent action
over the whole surface of the lake, and, though the cones appear to be
special vents, the sulphurous vapors rise with equal density over its
entire surface. Contrary to what one would naturally suppose, there
seems to be in no case violent action of the escaping gases, such as
explosions or detonations. The water is of dark gray color, and having
been boiled over and over for thousands of years, has become thick and
slimy with sulphur. As the inlets to the lake are rapidly closing,
it is believed that it will soon assume the character of a geyser or
sulphurous crater.--_St. Louis Republic._