1 80 Voyage of the Novara. 



end of February the whole of the environs of Auckland for a 

 distance of 20 miles. It brought to lig-lit a district abounding 

 in most important and remarkable geological features, besides 

 a stratum of sedimentary deposit of all the geological periods 

 (primary, secondary, tertiary, and diluvial), including numer- 

 ous volcanic phenomena. My collections however embraced 

 a quantity of splendid petrifactions, and an immense number 

 of interesting rocks, while the botanical and zoological collec- 

 tions were greatly added to through the kind assistance of 

 well-wishers of all degrees of the community. 



" The question now to be solved was, ' Should I make the 

 northern or the southern portion of the province the scenes of 

 further exploration ? ' Properly to examine both was impossi- 

 ble within the short period I could remain. I did not 

 hesitate to decide in favour of the southern district, and that 

 for a variety of reasons. The southern portion of the pro- 

 vince is inhabited almost exclusively by natives. Only 

 missionaries, tourists, and a few Government officials had 

 hitherto traversed these interesting regions. The north of 

 the island, on the other hand, is much better known. Num- 

 bers of European settlers inhabit the shores of the numer- 

 ous bays of the northern Peninsula. The colonists themselves, 

 by word of mouth, or written information, could furnish me 

 with all the information I required respecting the natural 

 history of those regions, not to speak of the specimens that 

 were constantly being sent me. 



*' Dieffenbach had already visited every point of im- 



