338 Transactions.— Botany. 
occurs in immense abundance, although from growing in exposed situations it 
does not exhibit the extreme luxuriance which it displays at Rotomahana, and 
produces sori but sparingly. Schizea dichotoma and Psilotum triquetrum 
attain here their southern limit, their occurrence being due to the influence of 
the boiling springs in modifying temperature. In the north the Schizea is 
usually found about the roots of the kauri. Schizea bifida occurs sparingly 
and in a depauperated condition, apparently suffering from the increased 
temperature. Juncus maritimus grows in great abundance amongst the hot 
springs on both sides of the river, but I am not aware that this characteristic 
littoral plant has been found in any other inland habitat except Ohinemutu. 
Lepidosperma concava is found in great abundance and vigour on the right 
bank of the river, but appears to be confined to a solitary habitat, the only 
one known south of the Thames. 
The famous alum cave at Orakeikorako is merely a deep hole sloping 
downwards from the face of the rock and containing a boiling spring which 
forms aluminous incrustations on the rocks within its influence, but the cave 
itself is chiefly remarkable for the richness and beauty of the plant-growth by 
which it is concealed. The face of the rock above the mouth of the cave is 
covered with a profusion of a slender climbing rata, Metrosideros hypericifolia, 
many of its sub-pendent branches supporting a growth of drooping mosses and 
scale mosses. The mouth of the cave is filled by striking specimens of the 
silver-tree fern (Cyathea dealbata) and the weki (Dicksonia squarrosa), their 
delicate tracery producing a most exquisite effect when viewed from the lower 
part of the cave. Several small ferns of great beauty cover portions of the 
mouth and detached rocks with a tapestry of the tenderest green, one of the 
most conspicuous being Lindscea trichomanoides, which, although singularly 
local in the district, occurs here in profusion. 
The Maoris have made sufficient progress in civilization to attach a money 
value to “show-places.” At the time of my visit posts had been fixed for the 
erectign of a gate which I was given to understand would be kept locked so 
as to prevent pakehas from visiting the cave until a payment of fifteen 
shillings had been extorted from each. It is to be desired that visitors on 
such terms may be few and far between ! 
ORUANUI. 
At Oruanui is an extensive forest, chiefly remarkable for the large amount 
of totara which it contains. Many of the trees are of large dimensions and 
excellent quality. The contractors for the telegraph are said to have procured 
the chief part of the timber used in the district from this locality. The small 
patches of forest on the hill sides contain a large proportion of matai and 
miro, and less frequently kahikatea. 
