m 
after the ofter is flung into the boat as welcome booty. A luxuriant 
vegetation of water and swamp-plants (especially Raupo , Typha 
angustifolia ) borders the channel , and where the river-banks arise, 
there Ti-trces (Cordyline ) , flax-plants (Phormium) and the magni- 
ficent Toetoc-grass ( Arundo ) with its silken flags, mingled with 
violet-blooming Koromiko-buslies (Veronica), form a gayly check- 
ered copse-wood, in the rear of which, at the foot of low hills, 
dusky Ivahikatea- woods are spreading, — genuine swamp-woods, 
for the Kahikatea pine prefers swampy soil. Where the river makes 
a bend towards South, the scene suddenly changes. The Maoris 
ply their paddles more vigorously; swift as an arrow the canoe 
darts over the waters, and with loud shouts of joyful welcome we 
greet the Waikato. 
The impression made by the sight of the majestic stream is 
truly grand. It is only with the Danube or the Rhine, that I 
can compare the mighty river, which we had just entered. The 
Waikato 1 is the principal river of the North Island. Both as to 
length of its course, and quantity of water it surpasses all the 
others. The pieces of pumice-stone, which its waters are con- 
tinually carrying along, piling them up on the banks and at 
its confluence with the sea, point to its origin in the vicinity of 
the extensive volcanic hearth in the centre of the island. Its 
sources spring from the very core of the land ; its waters roll 
through the most fertile and most beautiful fields , populated by 
numerous and most powerful tribes of the natives, who have taken 
their name from it; and no second river of New Zealand lias such 
1 Waikato means literally: running water, or streaming water, in distinction to 
the Waipa , tranquil water, the chief tributary of the Waikato. The average velocity 
of the Waikato in its lower course amounts still to four or live miles an hour. The 
Danube, which is known to be a very swift stream, averages at Vienna likewise 
about four or five miles an hour. The Waikato itself is not abounding in fish; but 
several of his more placid tributaries are. Some sea-fishes are roving far up the 
river; moreover there are eels found, and small species of Elio Iris, Inanga of the 
natives. Very abundant is the river in fresh-water shells. Unio Aucklandicas is 
fished up from the bottom in great quantities by the natives, who are very fond of 
that food. Also species of Hydrobia and Latia (Hydrobia Cumingiana Fisch. , Lalia 
neritoides Gray ) are living in great numbers among the river-grass. 
