370 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Rotorua . 
Rotorua is a nearly circular lake of about twenty miles in dia- 
meter, surrounded by hills from which the timber has long since 
disappeared. Near the centre rises Mokoia, a volcanic island, 
with three conical peaks or craters, and with well-defined terraces 
which mark a previously higher level of the waters of the lake. 
Several native whares or huts, and extensive plantations, are 
found all round the island, which was in former days a very 
important fortress, and is still celebrated in Maori legend and 
tradition. Hinemoa, the maiden, is the heroine of many of 
their songs and stories. Mr. Domett has immortalized her 
history in his poem u Ranolph and Amohia ; ” and Mr. Chevalier 
had a charming picture of this Maori girl at the Royal Academy. 
The seat of active volcanic agency is principally confined to 
the eastern shores of the lake. A narrow ridge of volcanic clays, 
rising about thirty feet above the level of the lake, forms the 
township, where, as at Taupo, the telegraph places us in imme- 
diate communication with the business world. On the slope 
toward the lake is seen the main settlement where the natives 
spend their time in sensual idleness ; the bank of the lake is 
here perforated with thousands of springs, and these form the 
cooking places for the tribe ; every hut has its boiler worked 
by nature as close to the door as is deemed convenient ; and 
kits or baskets of potatoes, fish, beef and other edibles are 
suspended in these pools until ready for table. Over some 
of the hottest portions of the ground, large slabs of stone are 
placed, on which, covered by moist grass or weeds, bread is 
baked ; on other slabs, not quite so hot, the lazy recline them- 
selves, and, wrapped or covered with a blanket, enjoy Vulcan’s 
heat on the coldest day. 
Several of these springs are celebrated for remarkable cures. 
Some are reputed to be arsenical, others are sulphurous, and 
many are impregnated with alkalies. One remarkable pool 
called by the natives Kuirua (see Analysis No. 3, p. 383), which 
is fed by numerous hot springs, is celebrated for its saponaceous 
properties, and is the laundry for the township and settlement. 
Its temperature varies between 130° and 160°F.; it has a strong 
alkaline reaction, and clothes are washed here without any arti- 
ficial admixture of soap or soda. 
The natives, who are said to be afflicted with chronic impecu- 
niosity, persistently importune the visitors for gratuities, but under 
the charge of one of the European residents the tourist is relieved 
from their presence, and can inspect the exterior of their dwel- 
lings without the levy of black mail. The borders of the lake 
are perforated with numerous springs, and bathing at any 
