The Hot Lake District — New Zealand. 39 



with numerous eucalyptus trees whose fragrance is refreshing 

 amidst the ever present Hot Spring. Here may be seen, I 

 think I am right in saying the only artificial geysers in the 

 world. They are situate inside the grounds, built round with 

 a low wall forming a sort of fountain basin, from the floor of 

 which large pipes project, and by an ingenious method of con- 

 trolling the supply of cold water (made by the engineer of the 

 district) they are able to make the geysers play at will, and 

 being directed up a uniform pipe, the water is thrown up in a 

 regular column in appearance like a large fountain emitting 

 boiling water. In another part of the grounds there is a hot 

 pool of unknown depth, whose water is of the most transparent 

 blue, called the " Blue pool." Looking down into it from the 

 side, it appears hke a large basin in the rock with a hole in the 

 bottom, and as the water is just below boiling point there is no 

 ebullition, the surface is perfectly smooth, and little or no steam 

 rises off it. A story is told of a man with a dog visiting the 

 pool on a very hot day. The poor animal thinking to refresh 

 himself, at the sight of the clear blue water, plunged boldly in 

 and perished immediately in the subtle liquid. The water is 

 strongly impregnated with Sulphur compounds, easily detected 

 by placing in it some article of silver such as a chain or match- 

 box, which is at once turned black. Unfortunately, it is not 

 always necessary to wilfully immerse your silver jewelry to find 

 this out, a short stay in the district will do just as much towards 

 acquainting you with the nature of Silver Sulphide. 



In appearance the water of the bath is quite milky, and the 

 temperature about 997. A morning scene with men of all 

 nationalities seriously engaged in the attempt to get rid of their 

 bodily ailments, crowded together in the bath is a sight not 

 easily forgotten. In the same paviUon there was also two other 

 baths, The Madame Rachel and Blue baths, which are supplied 

 by springs of an exactly opposite character. The water is 

 alkaline silicious, the commonest form found in the district 

 being used for both drinking and bathing purposes. The 

 water is beautifully soft to the touch, and as a bath for pleasure 



