126 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
There was also a good deal of a health-like plant, but not in 
flower, which was probably Archeria traversiz ; but this is a 
doubtful identification. On some of the more open faces and 
landslips at the head of the lake, there grew a Phormium, very 
different in appearance from the ordinary P. texax, but shewing 
neither flowers nor fruit. Out on the open ground at 3500 to 
4500 feet elevation, a considerable quantity of Ranunculus lyallit 
displayed its masses of magnificent snow-white blossoms, rivalled, 
however, by numerous other beautiful white flowered plants. Of 
Celmisias six species were collected, viz.—C. discolor, verbascifolia, 
longifolia, larvicifolia, sessiliflova, and the rare C. vamulosa. Ourisia 
cespitosa and glandulusa were common ; and two or three specimens 
of the very handsome O. macrocarpa were obtained. Apparently 
also we got Euphrasia revoluta ; but this also was a doubtful iden- 
tification. Donatia nove-zealandie and Helophyllum clavigerum were 
common. These were about the only plants gathered. 
One result of our trip is that we now know pretty well the 
geography of this lake and the surrounding country, as far as it 
can be laid down by the prismatic compass without the aid of 
strict measurements. The lake at its widest part is about three 
miles across, and taking its north-west arm as twelve miles long, 
is probably a little over twenty miles in extremc length. 
In most maps of New Zealand, a dotted line is usually to be 
foundconnecting the Patupo, or Big River, on the South Coast, with 
the probable outlet of Hauroto ; but according to the reports of 
those shepherds and prospectors who have traversed the district, 
the Patupo river is only a narrow arm of the sea which runs 
inland, fiord-like, for six or seven miles (probably about three, 
true measurement), and comes to an abrupt termination in the 
mountains, while the rivers which flow out of Hauroto and Poti- 
ritiri enter the sea between the Patupo and the Waiau. There 
is absolutely no country for settlement to the west of Hauroto 
until Preservation Inlet is reached. The bush is unbroken up to 
3500 feet, or nearly so, and above that the land is not even good 
summer country. It might support red deer ; but not sheep. 
One thing that struck us all on our trip was the extraordinary 
scarcity of animal life. A few kakas and pigeons were seen, the 
latter only where the Kowai trees (Sophora tetvaptera) grew. Of 
other birds the only species not found about the east of Otago 
were the crows (Glaucopsis cinevea)and crested grebe(Podiceps cristatus). 
Even ducks were scarce, and as has been said already, we got 
neither kiwis nor kakapos for want of a dog to hunt them. 
Hauroto may become populated at no distant date, for were a 
passable road made to it and a little clearing done round its 
eastern bay, it would offer one of the most charming retreats 
which New Zealand’s many lakes can offer. But its sandflies 
must be reduced in numbers first. Though the track to the 
lake from the Waiau goes over rather broken and high ground, 
there is no need for a road to follow this. By keeping up the 
Lill-burn to its source, the crossing of an almost imperceptible 
saddle would bring one out at the north-east corner of the little 
——""= 
Poise 
