422 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 

 volcanoes of Eotorua, 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 tbeir 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 

 which 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 Lake 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 <s 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 

 volcano. 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 



