S22 ■ Msdi/s. 



30 miles from the coast. The coast now trends rapidly to the westATard, 

 fringed by sandhills, behind which may be seen the fertile country composed 

 of upper tertiaries. Passing the low ground at Eangitikei the coast rises 

 into cliffs towards Whanganui, of from 100 to 200 feet high. The bold out- 

 line of B-uapehu may now be seen overlooking the great tertiary basin, and 

 covered with snow, to the north of Whanganui. The ridges of Suahine 

 stretching to the N.JST.E. are far in the distance, while to the westward the 

 graceful cone of Mount Egmont also comes into the general view. Between 

 "Whanganui and Kai-iwi an " old forest " is found in the cliffs, and numerous 

 remains of the moa in the sandhills above. Between this and Taranaki the 

 grand curve of the coa^st shows tertiary cliffs to the sea, the upper beds of 

 which appear to be very recent. This part of the coast has not yet been 

 examined, and it is more than probable that the basalts or other igneous 

 rocks may be exposed at different points on the coast and to the inland of 

 the mountain. With this exception, the interior country here appears to be 

 entirely composed of sedimentary tertiaries, Avith the grand cone of Mount 

 Egmont rising like an island from their midst. 



Volcanic. 



The volcanic system of the North Island is comprised within certain 

 limits, as follows : — If we draw a line from the southern base of Mount 

 Egmont and continue it past the southern base of E,uapehu until it 

 approaches the Kaimanawa range — then, by striking a line nearly at right 

 angles from this point to the mouth of the Whakatane Eiver, in the Bay of 

 Plenty, we shall find the whole country to the north and north-west, as far 

 as the North Cape, more or less dotted over with volcanic cones. Certain 

 trappean dykes are found in districts to the southward and eastAvard of these 

 lines, but no true volcanic craters, unless possibly Mount Hikurangi, previ- 

 ously mentioned, may prove to be one. 



With regard to the volcanic part of the island, Hochstetter states as 

 follows : — " Lofty trachytic peaks covered Avith perpetual snow, a vast 

 number of smaller volcanic cones, presenting all the varied characteristics of 

 volcanic systems, and a long line of boiling springs, fumaroles and solfataras, 

 present an almost unbounded field of interest, and at the same time a 

 succession of magnificent scenery. 



" The first volcanic eruptions were submarine, consisting of vast quanti- 

 ties of trachytic lava, breccia, tuff, obsidian and pumice stone, which, flowing 

 over the bottom of the sea, formed an extensive submarine volcanic plateau. 

 The volcanic action continuing, the Avhole mass was upheaved above the level 

 of the sea, and neAv phenomena Avere developed. The eruptions going on in 

 . the air instead of under the sea, lofty cones of trachytic and phonolitic lava, 



