30 T A II I T I. 



feet above the sea, and commanded a splendid view over two rich 

 valleys, beyond which the sea was visible. 



The fahies were in great abundance around them. This plant is 

 not found at levels lower than six hundred feet, and is in its greatest 

 perfection at the height of fifteen hundred feet. It is the vai of 

 Cook, and is thought to be the banana in its wild state. It, however, 

 differs much in the manner of its growth from the cultivated variety, 

 for the fruit grows upon an upright spike rising from a crown of 

 leaves. The fruit has the same shape as the banana, but is twice as 

 large, and is of a deep golden hue, with pulp of dark orange colour. 

 It is destitute of seeds, has a taste resembling that of the common 

 banana, but of a higher flavour, and the natives are very fond of it. 



This shelter was reported to be the favourite retreat of wild hogs, 

 but the detachment was not disturbed by them, and passed the night 

 without any other disquiet but that arising from the possibility that 

 the projecting boulder, under which they were lodged, might fall and 

 crush them. Old Paura made fire by rubbing a pointed stick in a 

 groove formed in another, and by its blaze they, after a change of 

 clothing, found themselves very comfortable. 



Mr. Dana, who was one of this detachment, was so unwell the next 

 morning as to be compelled to return, taking one of the guides with 

 him. The other gentlemen, Messrs. Peale, Pickering, Couthouy, 

 and Brackenridge proceeded forwards ; but they soon found that the 

 guides had no intention to lead them to the top of the mountain, 

 during the continuance of the heavy rains, but pursued a course so 

 devious and circuitous as to make it probable that they would lose 

 the chance of seeing either the mountain or the lake. They felt 

 assured that the ascent, under more favourable circumstances, would 

 have been practicable, but were satisfied that it would require more 

 time than they could spare. Notwithstanding their disappointment, 

 they were compelled at last to admit that the guides had acted wisely; 

 for during the continuance of such rains as afterwards fell, the ascent 

 of the mountain would not only have been difficult, but extremely 

 dangerous. 



Compelled to abandon the attempt, they followed and overtook Mr. 

 Dana, and then turned up the valley. About noon, after having 

 crossed the stream so often that a fourth of the way might be said to 

 be by water, they reached the residence of the native family Waiipi. 



Dr. Pickering is of opinion that this dwelling would be an excellent 



