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the background, shut in by half naked walls tinged with various 
colours, red, white, and yellow, lies the large spring-basin, a great 
cauldron 40 to 50 feet in diameter, and probably very deep. The 
water is usually quiet, shining blue, merely steaming, but not 
boiling, and has a temperature of 179° F. ; the ascending vapours 
smell of sulphurous acid. Round about the basin a light tincture 
of sulphur is also noticed, and here and there on the side- walls 
of the crater thick crusts of sulphur have been deposited. At the 
northern foot of the terraces is the great solfatara Te Whaka- 
taratara, 1 a crater-shaped hole, open towards the lake and full 
of hot, yellowish- white, muddy water, of a strong acid reaction, 
— - a real sulphur-lake, from which a hot, muddy stream flows into 
the Rotomahana. In the crevices of the walls enclosing the sulphur- 
lake very tine sulphur-crystals are to be found. 
A little beyond the lake, in a small side-valley, lies the Ate- 
tulii; and in the marshy flats, at the N. W. end of the lake, the 
Te-Waiti fountain. Also at the outlet of the Rotomahana towards 
lake Tarawera, on both sides of the Kaiwaka river, there are still 
numerous Ngawhas observed, which have special appellations such 
as Te aka manuka, Te mamaku, Te poroporo, Tamariwi, Ma- 
krowa, Te karaka etc., which, however, T had no opportunity 
of examining more closely. 
Altogether about 25 large Ngawhas may be counted on the 
Rotomahana; the number of smaller springs, coming to light at in- 
numerable places upon an area, occupying about two square-miles, 
I do not even dare to estimate. As those hot springs according 
to the experience of the natives have proved very effective in the 
curing of chronic cutaneous diseases and rheumatic pains , I have no 
doubt, that, at no very distant period, this remarkable lake will 
become the centre of attraction not only for tourists of all nations, 
but also a place of resort for invalids from all parts of the world. 
Moreover the Rotomahana has been repeatedly used as a climatic 
place of cure. Mrs. Spencer told me, that some years ago she 
took fifteen Maori children, affected with the whooping-cough, to 
1 The name refers to the broken, rugged appearance of the cliffs. 
