276 AUCKLAND. [PART II. 



grows to great perfection, the whole valley is occu- 

 pied by fern, flax, and manuka. This vegetation is 

 interrupted by large raupo (typha) swamps, which 

 increase towards the mouths of the rivers, where the 

 country is low and subject to inundations. Flights 

 of the common brown duck, 1 and of the blue-breasted 

 red-billed water-hen, 2 people these swamps. To the 

 westward the valley of the Thames is bordered by 

 hills ; but these are only denned and separated lower 

 down towards the frith. Higher up, the valley of 

 the Thames may be said to be united with that of 

 the Waikato and Waipa, with the exception of some 

 distinct hilly groups. From the hilly ridge several 

 narrow valleys open towards the frith, and here are 

 the native settlements of Wakatiwai and Waihopu- 

 kopu. Opposite the island of Waiheke the land be- 

 comes comparatively flat and low ; the coast consists 

 of soft sandstone, in cliffs of horizontal stratifica- 

 tion ; and this is the character of the country 

 towards Waitemata, where the government town 

 of Auckland is situated. In passing from the out- 

 let of the Thames to the latter place the aspect of 

 the shores is highly picturesque. A luxuriant vege- 

 tation covers them to the water's edge, or alternates 

 with the clearings made by the natives. As we 

 approach Auckland several regular volcanic cones 

 rise over the table-land which stretches across the 

 island to the harbour of Manukao. We pass a 

 number of islands, of which that of Waiheke is 

 1 Anas superciliosa. 2 Porphyrio australis. 



