424 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



an account of which may not be uninteresting. The lizards which I turned 

 out thrived very well, and were quite at home. They lived under the fir 

 trees and in the earth banks and ditches, subsisting on snails and any insects 

 wbich came in their way, being particularly partial to the large fat green 

 caterpillar. The cats and dogs did not take any notice of them at all. I 

 also had some of them shut up, but they did not do well. One of them 

 presented me with twins, but they, after a few days, vanished. I am afraid 

 that their unnatural parents made a meal of them. They are of great use 

 in getting a place rid of rats. Tbere were a number of these pests ha my 

 shed when I turned some lizards in, and in a few days the rats had dis- 

 appeared. Others have found the same thing, the rats always going. I do 

 not tbink they kill them, not being quick enough to catch a rat ; but what- 

 ever they may do, the desired end is gained, for the rats vanish. They can 

 bite very hard, and if they get a hold, hang on like a bulldog. Eeturning 

 to their home, Motuoneone, I cannot understand why they are only to be 

 found on this rock and not on the island, the rock at one time being con- 

 nected with and having formed part of the main island (Tuhua). 



Leaving Motuoneone and its quiet inhabitants, passing Paretao, a low- 

 lying point which has been under cultivation, we come to Turanganui Bay. 

 This small bay is very picturesque, having frowning basaltic cliffs all 

 around it, studded with obsidian, from 50 feet to 100 feet high, with the 

 exception of the two corners, where a landing can be effected on a rough 

 boulder beach ; but only in fine weather. This bay is very deep, and the 

 water being very clear, fish, sea-eggs, etc., can be seen at the bottom — pro- 

 ducing a very pretty effect. On the north side of the Bay is Wharenui 

 Point. This is a flat point, with some fine pohutukawas growing on it ; 

 it has all been under cultivation. One of the principal wahitapu or 

 burial-grounds of the natives is here in the centre of the pohutukawas. 

 Passing round this pohit, we come to Orongatea Bay. In this bay are the 

 hot springs, situated about its centre, on a boulder beach. Scattered 

 about the bay are pillars of basaltic rock, about 100 feet high, which with 

 their clearly-defined weather-beaten sides and majestic elevation, give a 

 very picturesque appearance to the inlet. 



The hot springs are very small, being only little pools of warm, not hot, 

 water, a few inches deep, scattered over about a cham of rough boulder 

 beach. They are below the present high-water mark. To obtain a bath 

 you have to wait until the tide goes out ; you have then to clear away the 

 boulders to make your bath ; you can then recline on the hard sharp 

 boulders and enjoy yourself, if possible I I found the boulders a little hard. 

 The natives informed me that these springs are very good for the cure of 

 skin diseases, etc* The pillars in the bay have at one time formed part of 



