IN NEW ZEALAND. 95 
the place, together with the very stunted appearance of the 
few trees and shrubs on it, seemed fully to corroborate. 
Bivouacked for the night at "Wakamarino; a little village on 
the banks of a small river. 
Early the next morning we recommenced our march to- 
wards Waikare lake; the old chief of ’Wakamarino accom- 
panying us. An hour’s walking brought us to Waikaretaheke, 
a rapid stream of about 4 feet deep, caused by the exit of the 
waters of the lake towards the sea, and which here most 
outrageously tumbled over a long and sloping bed of rock. A 
bridge of trees, (one of the best-constructed native bridges 
I had ever seen,) was thrown across the foaming torrent; 
ind, though strongly secured together, it seemed as if every 
rush of the bounding water would carry it away. A nervous 
person would not have hazarded himself on such vibrating 
and precarious footing. 
The beauty of the spot rivetted my attention for a few 
moments, and I almost determined to venture a sketch. I 
gathered a Moss (128) in this locality ; and, a little further 
on, a fern (269), a species of Polypodium, | P. viscidum n. sp., 
W. C.) every frond of which was more or less covered with 
pappus, downy seeds, and other such light substances, blown 
by the winds. We soon arrived at the village, situated on a 
high headland, jutting into the northern side of the lake; 
the gateway of which was, as is often the case, embellished 
with a pair of huge and hideous clumsily-carved figures, be- 
_ smeared with red pigment, and grinning defiance on all 
. comers. The wind now blew so very strong, that it was not 
possible to cross the lake in such frail canoes as this people 
had at command; so I was obliged to pitch my tent here, 
although it was far from easy to find a suitable place, owing 
to the great unevenness of the ground, its unsheltered situa- 
tion, and the very high wind. Here I was confined a pri- 
soner until the morning of the 29th, when, the wind lessen- 
ing, I effected my escape, crossing in safety to the opposite. 
shore. I made, however, the most of my time whilst here, and 
was amply rewarded with specimens of new proita First must 
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