590 REPORT—1883. 
The following Papers and Report were read :— 
1. On the Hot Springs of Iceland and New Zealand, with Notes on Maori 
Customs. By Curuperr E. Pres, F.R.G.S. 
The author commenced by giving a description of the hot springs of Iceland 
and New Zealand, both of which have been recently visited by him. Several 
most important differences were noticed in their composition; in the case of the 
hot mud wells of Iceland, there is so much copper suspended in the mud that several 
Companies haye been started to work them commercially ; while the mud springs 
of New Zealand are so full of Infusoria that in times of famine the natives manage 
to sustain life on a diet chiefly consisting of mud. Some of the New Zealand 
springs contain a very large percentage of mineral, and the analysis of one of the 
most powerful was— 
Chloride of sodium . 93:46 grains. 
x potassium . 469 ,, 
3 lithium traces. 
Sulphate of soda . + RSL teh 
Silicate of soda . Si POA wos) 
“ lime . =f Lion nets 
i magnesia . 1:02 ,, 
Tron and alumina oxides 2°10 __,, 
Silica. : i 4h S298 a 
Total, per gallon . 121°62 ,, 
The hot springs of New Zealand appear to extend from Mount Tongariro, at the 
S.W. end of the system, to White Island at the N.I. extremity. On April 25, 
Tongariro was observed to be giving out more smoke than since 1870, when a 
considerable eruption took place. The two most remarkable objects in connection 
with the New Zealand geysers are the Pink and White terraces, situated on Lake 
Rotomahana ; these consist of regular steps, each of which forms a small basin full 
of the clearest water; in the case of the White terrace the water has a beautiful 
sky-blue appearance, while at the Pink terrace the whole is tinged with a delicate 
salmon colour. The upper basin in each case is about 80 feet above the level 
of Lake Rotomahana. The whole of the country round is covered with hot 
springs and mud wells, and the greatest caution is required to avoid an accident, 
which would probably be fatal. Several curious Maori customs were mentioned, 
the most remarkable being mana and tapu ; now, however, owing to contact with 
Europeans, most of the native customs have become obsolete. 
2. Notes on the Territory of Arizona. 
By Urrron Forses, MD., .2.C.P., F.R.G.S. 
The author, after alluding to the general ignorance as to the rich territory of 
Arizona, pointed out that it was now practically opened up, for the first time 
in its history, by the completion, in the last days of May 1883, of the new Atlantic 
and Pacific Railway, which will probably revolutionise before long the existing lines 
of travel, not only to Australia, but also to China and Japan. This new line, which 
may be considered an extension westward of the great trunk line of the Atchison, 
Topeka and Santa I’é, runs from the old Spanish-American city of Albuquerque in 
New Mexico, passes through the northern portions of Arizona, and joins the 
Southern Pacific at Mojave in California. It thus forms a complete trans-con- 
tinental line, on a parallel considerably to the south of any previously existing line. 
Its indirect connection, however, with the Southern Pacific, and the new Sonora 
line in Mexico is extremely important. The Sonora line has its terminus at the 
port of Guaymas, on the Gulf of California. Here probably, in the not far distant 
future, will be the new port of arrival, at least for mails and passengers bound 
eastwards from Australia, China, and Japan. At present, Guaymas is a small 
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