Excursion to Drur/j. — Native Canoes. 157 



there to commence bis investigations at a spot where a coal- 

 bed 12 feet thick had been laid bare. The rest of the 

 natm'alists strolled about, engaged in botanical and zoo- 

 logical researches among the soft, beautiful woodland scenery 

 of the almost soul-enchaining primeval forest. * 



'' A couple of days were passed in such little excursions in 

 the environs of Drury, in the course of which a trip was 

 made in a Wakka or New Zealand canoe to the Tahike 

 springs, near a Maori village of the same name. Om^ craft 

 consisted of a single hollowed-out trunk of a kahika tree 

 (Podocarpus excelsa), about 25 feet in length by 2^ in 

 breadth. For such a boat a native pays about £5, and it 

 lasts from 20 to 30 years, whereas a canoe of red Totara 

 (^Podocarpus Totara) costs when complete about £30, but lasts 

 much longer. Canoes are frequently pointed out prepared 

 from these giants of the forest, 70 feet in length and from 

 five to six in breadth, which were used in old times as war- 

 canoes (Wakka- wakka), and could accommodate 100 warriors. 

 Ours was covered, at either end with fresh-gathered ferns, 

 and was provided with four paddles tapering to a point, one 

 of which was used by one of the Maories who accompanied 

 us, while we applied ourselves to learning the management 

 of this novel mode of propulsion by seizing on the rest, and 

 by imitating his motions speedily mastered its difficulties. 

 Unfortunately, owing to the distance, we could not reach the 

 village itself, and, after a variety of curious adventures with 



