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80 feet deep, bridged over by a Totara-bridge; and then it dis- 
appears for a distance of one to two miles, to reappear again at 
Mangawhitik au . 
The river bed is formed by the clayey strata underlying the 
limestone formation. The limestone contains the same fossils, 
that are found at Whaingaroa and on the Kawhia Harbour, 
attaining however in these parts a thickness of 300 to 400 feet. 
The limestone formation between the West Coast and the Upper 
Waipa and Mokau districts forms a plateau, rising to a height of 
1000 feet above the level of the sea, remarkable for subter- 
raneous water-courses, caves and deep funnel-shaped holes, called 
by the natives Torno. 1 Some of them are filled with water, as 
the Rototapu (holy lake) near Mangawhitikau, which, as the 
natives say, was made by evil spirits for the purpose of catching 
men in it. In several of the caves repose the bones of generations 
past and gone; they are therefore held sacred, and Pakehas are 
not allowed to enter them. It is really astonisliing to observe how 
minutely the Maoris know their country, and how they have named 
not only each plant , bird , or insect , but also nearly every place. 
Every single cave and cleft, every rock and every hole in these 
parts has a special name with some legend or other attached to 
it. In order to learn the names and legends, it is necessary to 
inquire of the older chiefs; the common man knowing but little, 
and the younger generation caring no longer for them. My source 
of information was in Mangawhitikau the Chief Reihana te Hua- 
tare, a stout man, kind-hearted, and of intelligent countenance, 
who , on my asking him the geography of the surrounding country, 
traced me a figurative map upon the ground, representing the rivers 
by little sticks of wood, and the mountains by small stones. 
In winter, at a high water level, the Mangapu river is 
navigable for canoes establishing during that season an uninter- 
1 Tomo signifies crumbling, sinking down, and is therefore very appropriate. 
This limestone region also abounds in land-shells and lizards. The natives told me 
of a large green lizard, said to be found here. I, however, could observe only the 
little Moko-Moko ( Mocoa Zelandica Gray, or Lampropholis Moco Fitz.). 
