iN NEW ZEALAND, 27 
handsome Dicksonia (271), [D. lanata, n. sp., W. C.]. This 
elegant fern was abundant in this locality ; some of the 
fronds were 24— 30 inches in length. Had I not been very 
anxious to prosecute my journey, I might have spent an 
agreeable time at this romantic spot; such, however, was not 
the case. I was among a tribe noted for their reckless 
ferocity; to whom, secluded as they are in their mountainous 
retreats, a white man was indeed a stranger. They had 
scarcely any food for their own use; and although they 
exerted themselves to the utmost in their endeavour to be 
hospitable towards me, they could only allow us two scanty 
meals of roots and herbs per diem. 
I obtained from the lake some fine specimens of Unio, the 
only living thing (according to the natives) which inhabited its 
waters. I supposed the sheet of water to be about six miles 
in diameter, but could only guess at the probable size, owing 
to its very irregular shape. The lakeis very deep and clear, 
and the bottom rocky. A peculiar sea-bird, called by the 
natives, Tété (which often flies irregularly at night, making a 
noise resembling tee-tee-tee-tee, rapidly uttered, whence its 
name) is sometimes caught herein large numbers. From the 
natives' account, it would appear that these birds at certain 
times resort to the tops of the highest and barrenest hills, 
where the natives assemble and make fires on foggy nights, 
which fires decoy the birds thither, when they are easily taken 
with nets. I have often heard this bird at night, but have 
never seen one. «It is, I think, highly probable that it may 
belong to the genus Procellaria. 
29th. 'This morning, the wind lessening, we hazarded 
à passage, and crossed in safety to the opposite shore. The 
* everchanging" woodland scenery appeared most loyely, as 
we, in our little canoe, wound round the bases of these ever- 
lasting hills. Here, for the first time, away from the imme- 
diate sea-coast, I noticed the littoral species of Metrosideros 
(M. tomentosa, A.Cunn.) It grew, however, in similar rocky 
situations close to the water's edge, and after the same very 
diffuse manner. Parasitical on its branches, in great abun- 
