210 [PART n. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Harbour of Houhoura, or Mount Carmel Rangaurm 

 Kaitaia. 



AT the narrowest part of the island, from Parenga- 

 renga to about eight miles to the southward of 

 Houhoura, or Mount Carmel, the land consists 

 either of low hills or swamps, and is almost useless 

 on the east coast, where it is lined by a long sandy 

 beach, here and there interrupted by bluffs of ba- 

 saltic rock, which are verdant with groups of the 

 hardy pohutukaua-tree (Metrosideros tomentosa). 

 The vegetation of the hills is brown and low, almost 

 wholly consisting of fern and manuka. On the 

 western coast the land wears a better aspect, where 

 no sand-hills intervene. The shore consists of cliffs 

 about thirty feet high, in which loam and lignite 

 are observed. They have a sandy beach before 

 them; and everywhere springs of most excellent 

 water drip down, proving the moisture of the cli- 

 mate, even in the height of summer. In conse- 

 quence of this abundant moisture the natives have 

 many plantations, which are in a thriving state. 

 Towards Waro, a high dome-like promontory, con- 

 sisting of a volcanic clay-stone, or wakke, the land 



