364 Transactions. — Botany. 



through a narrow pass in it the water rushes), is filled with 

 marine shells in a fossil state, although at a great distance 

 from the sea, and at a very great height above its present level. 

 This bed of white rock is large, being not less than 200ft. in 

 width, and, when the river is swollen by the winter's rains, 

 surrounded as it is by high and densely-wooded hills, the fall 

 must present a very imposing appearance. I gained several 

 specimens of shells — uni- bi- and multi-valve — by digging them 

 out of the rock with my hatchet. Among them were specimens 

 of the genera Terebratula* Voluta, Pecten, Lepas, and others 

 at present unknown to me. The waters fell from rock to 

 rock three several times ere they were swallowed up in the 

 dark eddying gulf below. The deep gloom of the river in 

 the gorge beneath, the different hues of the dense masses 

 of foliage on either side, the sunbeams peering downwards 

 through the tops of the trees, the enormous bed of rock 

 above — as white as snow, the Maoris who accompanied me 

 perched here and there upon the same, and the little 

 village in the background, combined together to cause an 

 enchanting and indescribable scene, possessing powerful 

 effect. In the height only of the fall was I disappointed. 

 I attempted a hurried sketch, but could not do the scene 

 before me justice ; in fact, I had too many things to do at 

 once, consequently I did nothing well. I wished afterwards, 

 when it was too late, that I had remained a day at this place, 

 instead of passing on post-haste in the manner I did ; but 

 then I had a long and unknown journey before me, and was 

 also confined to time. Keturning to the village, and obtain- 

 ing, though with great difficulty, guides and baggage-bearers 

 to Waikare, I again resumed my journey. Paddling up 

 another branch of the river named Kuakituri for about a mile, 

 we landed on the left bank. The sun, almost vertical, was 

 intensely powerful — not a zephyr playing nor a cloud in the 

 aii', nor a tree or bush which could afford a shade anywhere 

 at hand. Through unfrequented paths (if paths such could be 

 termed), up and down steep hills overgrown with tall young 

 fern, I which at this season is particularly disagreeable from 

 the clouds of fine yellow vegetable dust (deciduous scales and 

 hairs) with which it is loaded, and which, inhaled at every 

 breath, causes you incessantly to sneeze, we travelled until 



* " Terebratula tayloriana, Col. (Fossil). — Shell ovate, ventricose, very 

 solid, smooth, concentrically and obsoletely striated, lamellar; margin 

 apparently entire ; summit of larger valve much produced, arcuated, sub- 

 d<mexed, thick, very truncate; perforation large; horn or light mouse 

 coloured; length, 2Jin. ; breadth, l$in. Hab. As above. 06s. This fine 

 species has been named after the Rev. R. Taylor, of Waimate, New Zea- 

 land." — "Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science," vol. ii., p. 244. 



f Pteris esculenta. 



