388 LAKE ROTU-RUA. [PART II. 



ture for a church. As usual, I had to dispense re- 

 lief to the sick ; and I made a little jalap-powder, 

 the only medicine which remained to me, go a long 

 way. 



On the morning of the 4th our hosts conveyed 

 us in a canoe to the northern end of the lake, whence 

 we crossed a chain of low wooded hills, about seven 

 miles broad, on our way to Rotu-rua. The road 

 lay through ravines, which, although at present 

 much above the level of the two lakes, seemed to 

 indicate a former communication with both of them. 

 The morning was fresh and stirring, and our road 

 as beautiful as the primitive wildness of the country 

 could make it. It was still early when we descended 

 towards the large lake of Rotu-rua, which is here 

 surrounded by a low flat, consisting of pumicestone, 

 gravel, and decayed earth. We passed a small 

 lagoon of rather sulphurous water, separated from 

 the lake, and soon arrived at the mission-station of 

 Mr. Chapman ; that excellent man received us with 

 the greatest kindness under his hospitable roof. 

 We stayed here during a week ; and I had a good 

 opportunity of becoming acquainted with the lake 

 of Rotu-rua and its neighbourhood. 



This lake is about twenty-four miles in circum- 

 ference, and nearly circular. The hills which sur- 

 round it are low, but to the westward they rise to 

 the height of about 800 feet. This latter range is 

 wooded; and wood is also found at some other 

 places near the lake, giving a rich variety to the 



