CHAP. XXVII.] ISLANDS. 405 



six feet in breadth : the upper layer is a yellowish 

 earth, or decayed pumiceous matter. The lignite, 

 occurring in large quantities, must be of great im- 

 portance to Tauranga, as there is no other fuel for 

 several miles around. 



One of these islands is called Pane-pane, and 

 stretches from Maunga-nui to the southward. It 

 is about three miles broad and seven miles long. 

 Another, running in the same line with the former, 

 but nearer the coast, is called Matakanga. It is 

 about the same size. A larger one in the same 

 line is called Moa Opareoroi. The one nearest the 

 coast, and of a square shape, is called Tangoia. Off 

 Muketu is the island Motu-iti, of considerable 

 extent, and said to have been purchased by the 

 Americans. Off the entrance of the harbour of 

 Tauranga is a small island, which I attempted to 

 reach in a boat, but was obliged to put back on 

 account of the heavy swell. It is situated about 

 three miles from the southern headland, and con- 

 sists, I am told, of basaltic lava. It is a mere rock, 

 but possesses some interest as being the only spot, 

 that I know of, in New Zealand where the new 

 species of reptiles l exist which were brought over 

 by me to England. The specimen from which Mr. 

 Gray of the British Museum has furnished the 

 description came from that island. It is an inter- 

 esting question whether this island has been con- 

 nected at any time with the mainland, and whether 

 1 Hatteria punctata, Gray. 



