Hill. — Buapehu and Ngcmruhoe. 607 



I shall now proceed to describe the three separate vol- 

 canoes of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Euapehu. 



1. TONGAEIRO. 



This mountain, when viewed from a distance, and especially 

 from the saddle between Pihanga and Kakaramea volcanoes, 

 over which passes the Maori track from Tokaanu, appears to 

 have a gentle slope, and it seems as if one could ride to the 

 top without difficulty. This, however, cannot be done ; at 

 least, it would be inadvisable to make the attempt. At the 

 north end of the range is the solfatara known as Ketetahi. 

 The date of the breaking-out of this solfatara is not known, 

 although the natives residing in the vicinity of Eotoaira 

 Lake are able to state that it has had periods of greater 

 activity than now prevails. This curious and weird-like spot 

 is situated at a height of 4,800ft. above sea-level, and is out- 

 side what properly belongs to the original cone of Tongariro. 

 When approaching this spot the side of the mountain appears 

 as if an immense slip had taken place in a clay-field ; but a 

 closer acquaintance shows that igneous forces have been and 

 are still at work, the noises from the numerous steam-vents 

 showing that intense activity prevails in this part of the moun- 

 tain. Clays of various colours — red, white, and yellow — are 

 found in abundance ; whilst in many places sulphur, alum, 

 pumiceous earth, and a somewhat brittle sinter are the prevail- 

 ing surface-rocks. Some of the crater-basins contain a pitch- 

 like material, which is thrown up in jets towards the centre, 

 whilst in the walls surrounding these basins steam-vents 

 occur, through which steam rushes with a tremendous force. 

 'Crystals of sulphur and alum are found in abundance near 

 the vents, whilst large beds of almost pure sulphur are met 

 with for several chains in the vicinity of the crater-basins. 



The hot muddy waters flowing from this place are said to 

 possess wonderful curative properties, and in the course of a 

 few years no doubt this spot will be frequented by many 

 persons of a rheumatic and gouty tendency. 



About a mile further to the east, but still on the northern 

 slope of the mountain, and at a height of 5,600ft., are situated 

 the volcanic shafts known as Te Mari. The place is difficult to 

 reach, but it presents special features both curious and sugges- 

 tive to the student of vulcanology. There are three irregularly- 

 shaped craters, surrounded by loose stones and debris, and in 

 the centre of each crater is a circular shaft exactly like the 

 shaft of a coal-mine, except that the diameter is perhaps a 

 little greater. From these shafts steam containing a good deal 

 of sulphuretted hydrogen is constantly rising, and deposits of 

 sulphur are to be seen towards the margin of the shafts, as if 

 a solfatara were forming. The shafts appear to be of great 



