BEAUTY OF THE WATERFALLS 
12 
moss and water-plants : above these are trees and 
shrubs, of numerous descriptions, in the highest 
state of verdure ; being constantly moistened by 
the mist which rises, and which is scattered from 
the water as it rushes down the declivity. About 
twenty feet from the surface of the basin is a 
large cave, or indentation in the rock, covered 
with underwood, growing inside. Formerly, a 
few people resided in this cave ; and, as I was 
gazing with delight upon the beautiful scenery 
before me, its romantic appearance was much 
heightened by my guide passing across the 
mouth of the cavern, and becoming just visible 
through the broken and foaming waters, as they 
fell from above ; presenting no bad idea of one of 
the fabled “ Children of the Mist,’’ concealed in 
their caves, or hovering on the side of their 
mountains. The stream, from the Waianiwaniwa, 
passes swiftly through a deep ravine, for nearly 
the space of a mile ; when it joins another stream, 
and rolls peaceably on for a few hundred yards ; 
but only again to be disturbed by both pouring 
their united waters over another rock, called Wa- 
repoke, about thirty feet high ; and then, rushing 
with great velocity till it reaches the Kerikeri 
Settlement, it dashes itself down a fall of ten feet, 
and grumblingly mingles itself with the waters 
of the southern ocean. 
On another stream, about a mile from the 
Station, is a fall much less powerful and majestic, 
but of a character equally pleasing with that 
