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scattered in numerous villages about the lake. The settlements are 
nearly all situated at the mouths of the rivers running into the 
lake, the natives preferring to cultivate the fertile river-alluvion. 
The Waikato-delta especially is a perfect granary, while the plan- 
tations upon the pumicestone plains are yielding only scanty crops. 
It is quite characteristic that the Taupo-Maoris, who have hitherto 
kept comparatively most aloof from European influence , are deci- 
dedly to be numbered among the best and stoutest representatives 
of their race, and that here, as I was told, the families are yet 
blessed with numerous offsprings. 
The Fauna of the lake is very scanty. Ducks, sea-gulls, and 
other water-birds are found on the shores; and in the water there 
are only three small kinds of fresh water fishes, Inanga, Koaro, 
and Kokopu of the natives , species of Elceotris , very much like the 
English whitebait. The latter are caught in large quantities by 
the Maoris and are considered quite a dainty food. But strange 
to say, the Taupo district is entirely destitute of eels. The num- 
erous rapids of the Waikato after its leaving Lake Taupo, it seems, 
are the impediment preventing the migrations of the eels to the 
lake. Besides those kinds of fishes also a cray fish, Koura, is found; 
likewise some fresh water shells, Unio, Cyelas, and small species of 
Hydrobia only 2 or 3 lines in size. 1 
On the 19 th April we took leave of Mr. Grace and his amiable 
family; and set out along the East-shore of the lake. After pas- 
sing the Waikato-delta we came to the strand. It consists of loose 
pumice-stone-sand , and pumice-stone gravel interspersed with small 
fragments of obsidian , upon which the walking is both difficult and 
disagreeable. Sometimes pumice stone blocks are found here hav- 
ing a diameter of three or four feet. Those large blocks are gath- 
ered by the inhabitants of the country, cut in square-stones or in 
the shape of bricks , and used for building. Mr. Grace had an ad- 
1 Together with these shells, there is also very frequently found upon sandy 
patches along (he borders of the lake, a brown, slightly curved, tubulous shell, 
belonging to the chrysalis of the Phryganece (dragon-flies). Taylor (PI. III. 9) er- 
roneously placed an illustration of it by the side of the shells, designating it by the 
name of Corniforma. 
