steam -spring, the column of which, is seen already from the East- 
shore of Lake Taupo, at a distance of 12 to 15 miles, Karapiti 
(encompassed , circular). 
The Karapiti i'tirnarole, Taupo country, 
After another mile we came to a second valley with its direc- 
tion towards the A aikato. A little distance off the road, on the right 
side of the valley, there was likewise steam ascending from numerous 
places. The ground about these places appeared of a reddish color. 
No doubt this locality and the one previously referred to are those 
that Dieffenbach visited in Mai 1841 , on his journey from Otawhao 
to Lake Taupo, and of which he has given us a description in his 
u Travels etc. Yol. I. p. 327 — 329.” Yet, various changes must have 
taken place since that time, as Dieffenbach at the first named loca- 
lity does not at all mention the large Karapiti-fumarole, but speaks 
of a powerful fountain, the water of which was thrown out to a 
height of 8 to 10 feet and was heated above the boiling-point. 
Perhaps the fountain has changed to a steam-spring, in a similar 
way as the “roaring geyser” in Iceland, — not to be confounded 
with the great geyser — which in former times had periodical 
eruptions of water, now emits only steam. 
At two j). m. we reached the native village Oruanui, at the foot 
of a wood-clad hill of the same name, and as we found here com- 
modious shelter in a house specially built by a native for travelling 
Europeans,, we determined upon remaining to wait for better weather.. 
