40 
Parallel to this line of eruption , and likewise in the direction 
from S. S. W. to N. N. E. , but a little more Eastward, there runs 
a second zone of newer volcanic eruptions. To it belong the groups 
of volcanic mountains built up of doleritie and basaltic lava streams, 
and varying in height from 2000 feet to 3000 feet above the level 
of the sea, which project peninsula-like from the East coast far 
into the sea, their deep craters open towards the sea, constitu- 
ting the only safe harbours 'on the East-side of the South Island. 
This is Banks’ Peninsula with the four harbours, Port Cooper, 
Levi Bay, Pigeon Bay, Akaroa, and Otago Peninsula with Otago 
Harbour. On South Island, however, volcanic action has entirely 
ceased according to observations hitherto made. Some hot springs 
recently discovered in the Kaikoras may perhaps be considered 
as its last struggling efforts. 
Between the tr achy tic k and basaltic zones, there are extensive 
plains and alluvial tracts most admirably adapted to agriculture 
and pasturage. They attain near the base of the mountains a 
height of from 1500 to 2000 feet above the level of the sea, arc 
in some parts 40 miles wide, and slope gently towards the sea, 
where they are bordered by a long line of sand-hills. They are 
crossed by numerous mountain-streams, which bring large quan- 
tities of detritus from the mountains, rolling them in broad shingle- 
beds into the sea. In these plains, especially in the vicinity of Christ- 
church, Fata Morgana , — mirages, — are of no rare occurence. 
The sea on one side, and the mountains on the other, seem to 
approach together, and ti-trees ( cordyline australis) on the plains 
are seen inverted. 
On North Island, on the other side of Cook Strait, the moun- 
tain-range extending along the East-coast from Cape Palliser to 
East Cape, is to be considered as a continuation of the Southern 
Alps , — at least of their eastern ranges. The various parts of it, 
such as the rugged forest ranges of Tararua, Ruahine, Teha- 
wera, Kaimanawa, Tewaiti, fall far short of the height of the 
Southern Alps, — their highest peaks attaining a height of only 
5000 to 6000 feet — and are almost a terra incognita , that may 
