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forest remaining, which the chief, who is the owner of that 
ground, had ordered to be spared. This sylvan grove welcomed 
us to its cooling shade, and was moreover found to be rich in 
small, but also rare land-shells. Besides numerous small species 
of Helix, Recilia ( cyclostoma ) turriculata Pfr. and Daudebardia (He- 
UcophantaJ Novoseelandica Pfr. are found here frequently. 1 
The prospect from the top is grand; but owing to the tall 
bushes we were obliged to shift our position several times, to enjoy 
a view all around. In clear weather, the Ruapaliu, Tongariro, 
and the Taranaki mountain, those three gigantic cones of the North 
Island, are said to be visible. We regretted very much , that such 
was not the case at this time; yet, also the nearer environs pre- 
sented points enough to keep me busily mapping for several hours. 
The beautiful, richly cultivated country about Rangiawhia and 
Otawhao lay spread out before me like a map. I counted about 
ten small lakes and ponds scattered over the plain, and the church- 
steeples of these places were seen arising from among orchards and 
fields. Verily, I could hardly realize that I was here in the interior 
of New Zealand. 
The height of the top I fixed at 1531 feet above the level of 
the sea, or at 1358 feet above the Waipa-plain. Several deep 
ravines runn from the top towards the foot, and two deep abysses 
on the top of the mountain seem to designate the old crater of 
the extinct volcanic cone, at the Southeast foot of which there lie 
trachytic cones of smaller size, the Kawa, Tokanui, Ruahine, 
Puketarata, and others. 
On our return to the missionary mansion we had the pleasure 
of meeting with Mr. Williamson , the Superintendent of the pro- 
vince , who had just arrived here with his travelling companions 
from an excursion to the eastern districts of the province. The 
house of the missionary, therefore, was crowded with guests. 
March 18. — A pure, cloudless sky smiled upon us to-day; 
the atmosphere so clear, that from Mr. Read’s garden the snow- 
1 Daudebardia Novoseelandica Pfr. is a new species established from my col- 
lection by Professor Dr. Pfeiffer in Cassel. 
