THE GEYSERS, HOT SPRINGS, AND TERRACES OF NEW ZEALAND. 373 
Several mud holes of different degrees of activity and consist- 
ency present some beautiful examples of the formation of 
concentric rings, miniature craters, radial fissures, and annular 
combinations produced from several centres which will form a 
very interesting subject for closer investigation. Here are a 
few intermittent geysers which require to be teased into activity, 
and sods thrown into them will be ejected with great violence; 
some small cavities, which apparently are perfectly harmless, 
suddenly start into activity, and are so uncertain in their action 
that they are dangerous to approach without a guide. Numerous 
baths to which fancy names have been given, are used by natives 
from all parts of the island for rheumatic or cutaneous diseases, 
and one is used as a cure for syphilis. An alkaline spring called 
the oil bath (see Analysis No. 4) is much resorted to by both 
Europeans and natives. 
Upon a higher elevation by the side of a hill of decomposed 
rhyolitic rock we cross another siliceous plateau with several 
geysers in all stages of activity. Some are furious in their 
ebullition ; the most interesting being the famous Wakiti, a 
huge sinter cone built up of beautiful white circular terraces 
diminishing from one hundred feet in diameter at the base to 
about three feet at the summit. The apex of the cone is about 
thirty feet above the plateau, and can be easily reached. A 
small quantity of steam issues from the funnel, which is a 
narrow opening, and a deep rumbling can be heard from be- 
neath ; but occasionally it throws up a column of water to a 
height of eighty or even a hundred feet. The natives state that 
in certain seasons this geyser is very active, and all the smaller 
ones around play in concert. It is influenced, they say, by the 
direction of the wind, but whether under a high or low atmo- 
spheric pressure has not been observed. We may here recom- 
mend intending visitors to secure the services of a European 
guide from Ohinemutu. Mr. Henshaw accompanied our party, 
and rendered us very material assistance ; but on another visit 
without his protection we were seriously annoyed by the impor- 
tunities of the residents, and could not gain access to this, the 
most important centre of Whakarewarewa, as we refused to 
satisfy the exorbitant demands made upon our exchequer. 
Tarawera. 
From Ohinemutu we start on saddle horses, or light American 
buggies, for Tarawera and Eotomahana, and after a ride of 
twelve miles arrive at the picturesque settlement of Wairoa, 
where comfortable accommodation can now be obtained at very 
reasonable charges. The road has recently been opened and 
