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cate azure tints ; and then another plateau is reached, formed 
of rippled layers of hardened silica, frosted with recent incrus- 
tations. 
The formation here divides into three sections : the centre or 
terrace proper, and the right and left wings ; and before reach- 
ing the lake these sections are separated by clumps of foliage 
growing upon the natural soil, but are re-united in the lower 
plateau. 
(a.) The central section is the oldest formation, and is built 
up of (1) huge overhanging buttresses, tattooed or carved into 
delicate lines, and festooned with incrust ed pendent points, from 
which the water occasionally drips. (2) Terraces, rising tier 
above tier, of various thickness, but all perfectly level, the edges 
and faces of each step being rippled or chiselled into lines like 
the shadows on a woodcut, several grades together appearing 
like a petrified cascade. 
(3) Basins. Near the upper plateau are several basins whose 
overhanging lips drop the slowly cooling liquid into other basins 
below. Evaporation is slowly silting up the basins ; but at the 
same time raising and thickening the outer rim. Where some 
accident has broken through the brim, the increased flow at 
this point builds up smaller steps of similar form, and at last 
the broken part is cemented to its original level. 
(4) Cups. On the lower terrace tiers, thousands of small 
cups are formed, all bearing the same characteristic sculpture 
which gives the name of Te Terata, or the tattooed rocks. 
The evident tendency of the whole deposit is to form (5) 
slopes, which are seen in various stages of transition from the 
terraced stairway to the even slope which follows the medial line 
of obliquity. These slopes are very beautiful, as in them can 
be seen the gradual filling up of buttresses, terraces, and basins, 
and the ultimate reduction of the whole at some distant date. 
Some of these slopes are more rounded and steeper than others, 
but all present the same rough surface ; and a passing shadow, 
or the rays of the setting sun, illuminate these prominences 
with pleasing effect. 
In the central section, and immediately above the lowest 
plateau, are several tiers of cold-water basins, low and shallow, 
but discoloured and mottled by confervoid growth. The water 
in these basins is of a greener tint, and contains a perceptible 
amount of lower vegetal life. The middle of this central divi- 
sion is broken by an irregular deposit of a different character, 
apparently caused by some obstruction — a prominence bearing a 
fancied resemblance to a “ boar’s head ” is formed, and the 
terrace steps are rounded and broken. 
(6.) The right wing is an irregular slope broken into steps 
in several parts of the descent, and containing a large quantity 
