1^4 Voyage of the Novara. 



experiments that induced them to value it much more highly 

 than the qualities hitherto procured in Europe. Owing to 

 the great alteration in the prospects of the silk trade, gener- 

 ally held out by the march of events in China, we deemed 

 it advisable to inquire minutely as to the existence of a worm, 

 which, as reported, not merely enjoyed advantages of climate 

 similar to those of several parts of the Austrian domains, but 

 seemed to require but little attention, living, as was said, 

 '' wild" in the ''bush." After protracted investigation, how- 

 ever, it turned out that the silk procured in New Zealand 

 was fm-nished by the ordinary mulberry- fed silk- worm, and 

 that the extraordinary delicacy attained in the fabrics 

 made from it at Glasgow was only due to its very superior 

 quality. 



The little expedition to the coal-beds of Drury already 

 mentioned was accompanied by results so valuable, that 

 considerable excitement arose among the settlers of the dis- 

 trict, and a society was formed for the exploration of this 

 mineral wealth. The excursion, however, was not confined 

 to visiting the coal-fields, but was intended to give the natural- 

 ists of the Novara an opportunity of seeing part of the in- 

 terior of New Zealand, by traversing the forest, 9 to 15 miles 

 wide, between Auckland and the river Waikato, and thus 

 visit the lovely shores of that river and the native villages of 

 the neighbourhood. 



The expedition was under the conduct of Capt. Drum- 

 mond Hay, aide-de-camp to the Governor, and thoroughly 



