499 Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 
which, glittering in the sun's rays, produce a very pretty effect. On some 
parts of the sides one finds a conglomerate of minerals, all of which have 
been in a state of fusion. 
I obtained specimens of all the varieties, many of which are very interest- 
ing; I have one particularly fine specimen of obsidian which has a high 
polish all over it, also a piece of petrified wood in obsidian, which is very 
curious. Some of the obsidian is marked by a blue pattern, which appears 
to have been stained upon it by the decomposition of some vegetable matter, 
which got into the obsidian when it was in a state of fusion. 
There is one very well demonstrated fact noticeable in places within the 
crater, viz., that mud volcanoes were in operation—the consolidated layers 
of mud with sharp edges being still to be seen, giving an appearance to 
some parts of the sides similar to that now to be seen at the active mud 
voleanoes of Rotorua, the only difference being that the mud in this old 
crater has hardened. 
In the bottom of the crater are two lakes, connected by a swamp, 
the larger of which, Aroarotamahine, is thirty chains long by seven | 
chains wide; the smaller, Te Paritu, is twelve chains long by five chains 
wide. These lakes can hardly be called pretty, as their general appearance 
is very sombre. I had no means of sounding them, but they appear to be 
very deep. They are at present about sea-level, but there are indications 
whieh show that they obtained a much higher level at one period, though 
it must have been many years ago. The water in them is clear and good 
for general purposes. 
Standing on the banks of the lakes one obtains a grand view of the vast 
amphitheatre formed by the precipitous sides of the crater. The thought 
passed through my mind: Will it ever break forth into life again? If so, ` 
it will be a grand spectable. 
At the north end of Aroarotamahine tii is situated the best pohutukawa 
bush upon the island, and on the east side of it, and running towards the 
other lake, there is a fine tea-tree bush. The natives cultivated the flats by 
these lakes some years ago, and, as might be expected, obtained very good 
crops. 
In the north-west corner or curve of the crater there is a most peculiar 
hill called ** Tarawakoura," with a strong pa on its summit; it is connected 
with the crater edge by a narrow ridge, and, from its appearance, was a 
voleano. It is about seven hundred feet high. Its slopes are not very 
steep, and are covered with large blocks of scoria, over which has grown a 
dense vegetation of stunted rewarewa, pohutukawa, tea-tree scrub, fern 
and tutu, etc. The natives point with pride to the pa on its summit, 
and narrate how it is that it has never been taken by an enemy; even their 
