166 GEYSERS. 
tube. The eruptions are quite as beautiful as those of its more famous 
companion, the jets rising in a sheaf-like column to a height of 100 or 
more feet, eruptions taking place at very irregular and long intervals; 
but by putting a lid on this great kettle, by dumping in large pieces 
of turf, an eruption can be produced in a short time. 
The Geyser, on the contrary, is a pool of limpid, green water whose 
surface rises and falls in rhythmic pulsations. The usual temperature 
is but 170° F. or 200° F., but varies, being greater immediately before 
an eruption. The shallow, saucer-like basin is about 60 feet across and 
slopes gently to a cylindrical shaft 10 feet in diameter, forming the pipe 
of the geyser; this is about 70 feet deep. This regularity of the tube be- 
comes important when we consider Bunsen’s experiments and the theory 
of geyser action he deduced from them. Before an eruption bubbles 
of steam entering the tube suddenly collapse with loud but muffled re- 
ports and a disturbance of the quiet surface of the water. During this 
simmering, for such it is, the water rises in dome-like mounds over the 
pipe and overflows the basin, running down the terraced slope and wet- 
ting the cauliflower-like forms of sinter that adorn it. 
The eruptions that so long puzzled and astonished visitors to this re- 
mote land are surpassed by those of the giants of the Yellowstone, 
but their beauty is not less. A short time before Geyser plays, the 
domes of water rising in the center of the basin, come in quick succession 
and finally burst into spray, followed by a rapid succession of jets in- 
creasing in height until the column is 100 feet high. Dense clouds 
of steam momentarily hide the glistening sheaf of jets, hiding it from 
sight, then drifting away in the breeze again reveal the sparkling shaft. 
These eruptions have varied much in appearance and height since the 
geyser was first known. At present the column does not exceed 90 
feet and the eruption lasts but a few moments. After it the basin is 
empty and seems to be lined with a smooth coating of white silica. 
THE GEYSERS OF NEW ZEALAND. 
The geysers of New Zealand are situated in a region clothed with a 
luxuriant vegetation that is in strong contrast to the bleak and barren 
lava fields of Iceland, but an examination of the position of the springs, 
with respect to the physical features of the region, shows that the 
situation of the geysers is nearly the same in these antipodal isles. 
The New Zealand geysers occur in the North Island, in what is known 
as the volcanic region, or the Taupo zone. Within an area of 4,725 
square miles, in which none but volcanic rocks are found, there are six 
volcanoes, and great numbers of solfataras, fumeroles, mud voleanoes, 
and hot springs, and many geysers. The lavas are all of the acid type, 
mostly rhyolite, but are hidden by surface decomposition and an abun- 
dant vegetation, save upon the flanks of the peaks. The axial line of 
