176 



ME. J. MARTIN OX THE TERRACES OP ROTOMAHAKA. 



argillaceous deposit was broken through, and the softer parts of the 

 interior removed. 



Thermal activity within the cauldron having at length removed 

 the softened rock, the deposition of siliceous incrustation in all its 

 varied forms of elaborate crystalline ornamentation would decorate 

 the foundations previously laid with that enchanting beauty which 

 was the glory of the White Terrace. 



Otukapuaranga, or the Pink Terrace, situated on the opposite side 

 of Rotomahana, about a quarter of a mile further towards the west, 

 had a frontage of 140 feet, and at a distance of 495 feet rose to the 

 height of 85 feet. Of similar but older formation, and resembling 

 the White Terrace in its essential features, it differed in many 

 important details. 



The colour from which its name was derived was characteristic 

 only of the older deposits, which a new smooth white enamel was 

 slowly obliterating. There were also numerous indications of 

 diminution in the activity of its source, and of a probable change in 

 the constituents of its overflow. 



The structure may be considered in four divisions, corresponding 

 to differences in the angle of inclination, viz. : — 



1. The Front Plateau. 



2. The Middle Terrace. 



3. The Upper Platforms. 



4. The Basin or Cauldron. 



(1) . The Eront Plateau extended as a gentle slope 30 feet wide 

 along the frontage, where it rose abruptly about 2 feet above the 

 lake. 



The overflow being confined to a central space 45 feet wide, the 

 other portions were partially overgrown with moss and scrub, 

 except at a narrow channel formed on the eastern margin. 



(2) . The Middle Terrace, or Terrace proper, consisted of sixteen 

 well-defined tabular elevations averaging 4 feet in height, ap- 

 proached by numerous subordinate or intermediate steps, reduced on 

 the margins to rippled and irregular cascades, which formed an easy 

 ascent. 



(3) . The upper levels, a series of wide, smooth platforms, rising 

 by slight elevations, extended completely across the Upper Terrace, 

 a distance of 224 feet. Here were situated the " Baths," a series of 

 eight hot-water basins, which were the only depressions on the 

 Terrace. 



The Baths were smooth shallow cavities, crescentic in outline, 

 averaging 9 feet by 3 feet, with a depth of from 2 to 3 feet, 

 ranging in temperature, according to distance from the Cauldron, 

 from 90° to 130°. 



The four principal bathing-pools were situated near the centre on 

 rising grades, with an elevation of one foot, the massive fronts of 

 the upper baths projecting considerably over the basin-area below. 



(4) . The Cauldron measured about 150 x 160 feet, and was 



