Booth. — Descriiotion of the Moa Swamp at Hamilton, 151 



In view of all tliis I cannot possibly see liow this deposit of bones could 

 be made through the agency of fire. 



The occcurrence of a poison spring is quite a favourite theory with several, 

 but, as practical observation could not determine anything in this respect, I 

 am sorry to say that I am not in a position to throw any light on the subject. 

 I know that such springs do exist at the present time ; and although it might 

 be within the bounds of possibility for the water to lose its poisonous property 

 and become wholesome water, yet it looks to be such an extraordinary and 

 improbable change, that it scarcely appears to me worth discussing. 



In 1849 I recollect having seen a spring that was called in my guide book 

 *' Arsenical Spring." As for any scientific facts concerning it— I am not in a 

 position to make a statement. All I can say is that it is situated near the 

 Rocky Mountains of America, on the route to California, discovered by John 

 C. Fremont, and called the South Pass. 



That the spring was poisonous I can vouch for from the fact that when I 

 passed it there were lying in and around it 50 or 60 dead cattle, mules, and 

 horses; none appeared to have got more than 50 yards away before falling; 

 some lay in the water, and some half out. The water was limpid and, if I 

 recollect right, of a bluish tint. Being in a hurry to make the next camping 

 ground, as well as afraid that some of my own animals might get to it, after a 

 very short stop I hurried away, and this is all I can tell you about it. 



Alkali springs, or rather lagoons, as well as hot, boiling, and cold mineral 

 springs, I passed in hundreds. 



Now, as regards the spring in this bone pit having been poisonous, I think 

 it just possible and worth investigating; and the only way I can see is for 

 you to carefully analyse the earth I send you and see if any poisonous sub- 

 stances remain.* 



A minute investigation of natural causes and effects is, in my view, the only 

 rational way of coming to a satisfactory solution of this great Moa problem. 

 And, in order to fully explain my views, I shall commence by stating that in 

 my opinion the cause of the deposit of bones at this place and the cause of the 

 extinction of the Moa was one and the same. I cannot, therefore, very well 

 confine myself to one subject without running into the other, hence it will 

 perhaps be as well for me to make one subject of it. 



That the Moa once existed we can place as a fact; we know that by its 

 remains. That it does not exist now we can place as another fact; this 

 its absence proves. That it could not now exist in this country there is, in 

 my view, abundant proof to place as a third fact. 



* Dr. Black has analysed the "red earth" from the spring, and finds that it consists 

 entirely of peroxide of iron and clay, without a trace of arsenic or sulphur, or anything 

 that would indicate that it had been deposited by a thermal spring. — F.W.H. 



