jlpril — iEPT. 1859.] the Province of Auckland. 



119 



inhabited almost exclusively by Maories, and has hitherto been 

 almost unknown and totally unsurveyed, both topographically and 

 geologically. The Northern districts, on the contrary, are for the 

 most part better known, and from the number of European set- 

 tlers in them, I was led to hope I should be enabled to collect some 

 information through specimens forwarded to me for examination, 

 and from the verbal descriptions of those who are well acquainted 

 with the various localities. 



My hope was not unfounded in either respect. 



I have received many specimens of interest from various locali- 

 ties : also some valuable information from different settlers, and 

 especially from my friends, the Rev. A. G. Purchas, and Mr. C. 

 Heaphy, who in the last few months have had opportunities of 

 visiting several parts of the Northern portion of this Province, 

 and of collecting very valuable specimens. In addition to this 

 must be remembered the fact, that other scientific men, especially 

 MM. Dieffenbach and Dana, had already visited and described at 

 length some parts of the Northern country. 



Through the liberality and excellent arrangements of the Gene- 

 ral and Provincial Governments, I have been enabled in a compa- 

 ratively short time to travel over and to examine the larger por- 

 tion of the Province South of Auckland, extending as far as Lake 

 Taupo and Tongariro Volcano, the boundaries between this Pro- 

 vince and those of Wellington and Hawke's Bay. I have thus ob- 

 tained materials which will enable me, on my return to Europe, to 

 construct a Topographical and Geological Map of the central part 

 of the Northern Island. 



My observations have, with the able assistance of Mr. Drum- 

 mond Hay, extended from the East to the West Coast ; and the 

 numerous peaks and ranges have afforded facilities for fixing, with 

 satisfactory accuracy, by means of magnetic hearings, on the basis 

 of points previously fixed by the nautical survey of Capt. Drury, 

 on the Coast-line, all the great natural features of this portion of 

 the country. A great number of barometrical observations have 

 afforded me the means of ascertaining the heights of mountains 

 and plains in the interior, which I shall be able to calculate with 

 accuracy by the aid of corresponding daily observations, taken in 



