ered a great number of beautiful mosses and ferns, especially various 
species of Hymenophyllum , with which the mammoth-trunks were 
covered all over. The mountain-ridge itself is a southern spur of 
the 2381 feet high Pirongia range, and consists like the latter of 
volcanic rocks, especially of trachydolerit with crystals of pyroxene, 
and of basalt. In the dusky woods and gloomy ravines of this moun- 
tain-stock the Kiwi ( Apteryx MantelliJ and the AVeka ( Rallus austra- 
lis] are said to bo still quite frequent. The natives told me also 
of a large kiwi resembling a cassiowary, which they said was 
sometimes found here. 
From the height of the pass we were obliged to descend into 
a deep, wild ravine, called Ngutunia. Hence once more up-hill 
to a second , broader ridge , and for about four miles through the 
dark bush. About 5 o’clock p. m. we reached the end of the 
woods — and there, radiant with the soft light of the evening 
sun, lay before our wondering eyes the landscape on the AVaipa, 
With pleasure we greeted once more the Kakepuku and the mis- 
sionary’s house, which was blinking up to us so cheerfully. But, al- 
though it appeared quite near, we had yet a long distance to 
go. A second, deep ravine had to be passed, then after a walk 
over extensive fern -heaths , we came to a tributary of the AYaipa, 
and it was not until 9 o’clock in the evening that we reached again 
our hospitable quarters at Mr. Read’s. 
