152 Lecture on the Geology of [No. 9, new series. 



tatory motion through the air. That the eruptions of the Auck- 

 land volcanoes have been of comparatively recent date, is shown 

 by the fact that the ashes everywhere occupy the surface, and that 

 the lava-streams have taken the course of the existing valleys. 

 (*This is beautifully exemplified by the probably simultaneous 

 lava streams of Mount Eden, the Three Kings, and Mount Albert, 

 which, flowing through a contracted valley, meet altogether — on 

 the Great North Road — and form one large stream to the shore of 

 the Waitemata, terminating on the well-known long reef West of 

 the Sentinel Rock.*) But many thousand years may have passed 

 since Rangitoto, which is probably the most recent of the Auck- 

 land volcanoes, was in an active state. 



I have been frequently asked whether it is true, as a country- 

 man of mine who some years ago travelled in New Zealand is said 

 to have told the European settlers, that New Zealand is a pleasant 

 country, but that they had come a thousand years too soon. In 

 answer to this I have to remark that any one who knows anything 

 of geological science must be aware, that " a thousand years" is 

 an almost inappreciable space of time in reference to geological 

 changes. And I would rather say, that it would have been better 

 for New Zealand if it had been colonized a thousand years ago, as 

 there would then have been no cause for the discussion of the 

 •« Land Question." 



I should have much pleasure in saying a great deal more on the 

 Geology of New Zealand, but time will not permit me. Many 

 subjects I have been compelled to omit altogether — such as the 

 Quartary formation in the Drury, Papakura, and Waiuku flats ; 

 the Basaltic Boulder formation ; the Alluvial formations in the 

 Middle and Lower Waikato Basin, and other places ; and I have 

 said nothing of the changes which are now going on. 



The materials which I have accumulated during my six months' 

 sojourn in New Zealand will, I expect, require several years of 

 labour to prepare for publication ; and, unless the war which now 

 threatens my own country should unhappily interfere to prevent 

 the completion of the peaceful scientific undertaking of the Ex- 

 pedition to which I belong, it will give me great pleasure to for- 

 ward to Auckland copies of our publications respecting New Zea- 



