WiNKELMANN. — Oil the Great Barrier Hot Springs. 391 



142° Fah. was the highest temperature that I here found. 

 The Natives consider these waters to be specially useful in skin 

 diseases, and would visit these springs in preference to the 

 others (No. 1) on this account. 



Owing to the fact of my time being limited, I was unable to 

 further explore this locality, but I have reason to believe that 

 within a radius of a quarter af a mile no small indications of 

 thermal action will be found. 



In closing my remarks, I must not forget to mention the 

 discomfort that one has to contend with in the shape of our little 

 enemy the mosquito. During the day this industrious insect is 

 not so troublesome ; but, so soon as the shades of evening draw 

 upon the scene, these creatures assemble by the million — 

 clouds of them, everywhere — the whole atmosphere becomes 

 dense, and the difficulty is to find a chauce to sleep during the 

 night even for a little. I should strongly advise others to follow 

 my example — viz., to create as many fires around the camp as 

 possible, and, on retiring, to place quantities of smoking embers 

 as near the blankets as convenient. In this way, aud in this 

 way alone, was I able to obtain an hour's repose. Should the 

 smouldering embers die out, one is very quickly informed that 

 fresh fuel is needed. It is therefore advisable to lay in a stock 

 before going to bed. 



Accompanying this paper are a few specimens of the ferns 

 that I collected during my travels at and around the Hot 

 Springs District. I append a few remarks anent some of 

 them : — 



Lomaria patersonii. — In great abundance ; the ground covered 

 within a radius of 50 feet from where I stood. A very pretty 

 sight. 



Schizfra dichotoma. — Very local, and scarce at that. The 

 gum-diggers seem to be exterminating this pretty species. 



Lindsaya viridis. — Very scarce, only one specimen found. 



Asplenium trichomanes. — In great abundance. 



Lycopodium. consimilis. — Very plentiful. 



Lomaria oligoneuron. — Very local. 



Trichomanes tunbridgense. — Only discovered in one place, about 

 1,500 feet. 



Several hundred specimens, and many belonging to several 

 genera that are not represented amongst the lot I now bring 

 forward, are still unpacked and unarranged for want of time. 



In closing this paper, I cannot refrain from remarking that, 

 with a very small expenditure, both these thermal springs might 

 be utilized, doubtless proving of great service in curing many 

 diseases. That they should for so long have been known, and 

 never properly examined, is a mystery. The Natives of the 

 Barrier have long used them medicinally with success, and 

 there is no reason why Europeans should not do so. They art? 



