464 Transactiom. — Geology. 



still more ancient volcano. This eruption, the first of the seven lava streams, 

 undoubtedly occurred long prior to the second eruption, as shown by the 

 three feet six inches of sandstone and mud in which the plants and forest were 

 embedded. As to the period at wliich the latest eruption of the Mount Eden 

 volcano occurred, we may conclude, from the twelve feet of brown soil found at 

 the existing surface, that many centuries have elapsed since the last volcanic 

 action. 



In ages long past there can be little doubt that the sea flowed across what 

 is now the isthmus on which Auckland on the east and Onehunga on the west 

 stand, dividing what is now the North Island into two islands. Volcanic 

 forces of tremendous power and long-continued action elevated the isthmus as 

 we now see it, leaving the extinct volcanic cones of Mount Hobson, Mount 

 St. John, One Tree Hill, and Mount Eden as mementos of the grand volcanic 

 energy of former times. 



Whether these extinct volcanos will yet again become active, time alone 

 wmtell. 



