Geological Survey of Canterbury. 147 



slopes of the Southern Alps, at the head of the more southerly rivers. 

 There is the same endless succession of sandstones, slates, shales, and 

 conglomerates of the usual character, and jointed in the same manner, 

 continuing to the junction of the two Otira main branches, to which 

 I followed the beds in question. 



On March 15th, we started for the sources of the Waimakariri, and 

 after crossing the river above the junction of the Bealey, where, owing 

 to the remarkable fine autumn weather we were enjoying, it contained 

 very little water, we passed for several miles over a very large shingle- 

 fan, here entering the main valley from the west, and which is such 

 a conspicuous object in the landscape, when looking towards the 

 Alps from the West Coast road. Erom the junction of the Crow 

 river with the "Waimakariri, the first true glacier, descending to 

 about 4500 feet, was observed. It is situated at the head of the 

 former tributary, and on the southern flanks of Mount Eolleston. 

 Ten miles above the Bealey the valley begins to narrow considerably, 

 and the spurs of the ranges now generally reach the water's edge. 

 The weather, which hitherto had favoured us so much, now began to 

 alter, and for two days rain poured down almost incessantly, in heavy 

 showers. The high ranges around us, when visible through the clouds, 

 appeared covered with a uniform sheet of snow, which quite 

 altered the whole aspect of the country. However, in the in- 

 tervals, geological, botanical, and zoological collections were made in 

 the neighbourhood of our camp, and several specimens new to science 

 were obtained. 



On the 18th of March the weather cleared, and we started for the main 

 sources of the river, which, owing to the opaque glacial colour of its 

 waters, had previously been named the White river. Near the junction 

 of the northern branch, the White river turns to the south, and its valley 

 for about a mile and a half has still a considerable width ; here, at an 

 elevation of 3094 feet, the growth of the Fagus ceases. The view up the 

 valley, narrowing with almost every step, now assumes, every moment, 

 a grander and more alpine aspect. A high peak, with noble outlines, 

 appears at the head of the valley, from which a glacier of considerable 

 porportion descends. The mountains on the left bank also rise high 

 into the sky, they are also covered with perpetual snow, from which 

 small glaciers and torrents issue. Several of the latter form beautiful 

 waterfalls, by which the grand scenery is still more adorned. The 

 mountains on the right bank rise almost perpendicularly for more than 

 3000 feet above the valley, so that only here and there can snow 



