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. Schizcea 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 Schizcea is 

 usually found about the roots of the kauri. Schizcea bifida occurs sparingly 

 and in a depauperated condition, apparently suffering from the increased 

 temperature. Juncus mariti'mus 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 (DicJcsonia 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 

 erection 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. 



