466 
A VISIT TO ROTO MAH ANA. 
the surface cracked under the feet like thin ice, but being 
formed of successive laminae, was firm ; as I advanced, I 
discovered that the centre was occupied by an immense gulf 
of hot water, of a very fine pale blue, so remarkably clear 
that, although the bottom could not be discerned, it was 
evidently of great depth ; having cautiously approached the 
edge which over-arched this awful abyss, and looking down, 
I beheld a large rock of a pure white substance rising from 
the vast profound to the surface, which formed a beautiful 
contrast with the azure water ; a tree also which had fallen 
in was petrified, and added to the scene, but I found the 
pavement I was standing upon was stretched over the boiling 
abyss, I could see far under the opposite side, which imparted 
a very unpleasant feeling of danger ; upon one portion of the 
pavement, over which the water flowed, a thin deposit of 
sulphur was left, which tinged it with a bright yellow ; some 
of the steps were of a rose tint, and others of pure white, 
which increased the general effect ; numbers of petrified 
manuka seeds were scattered about in every direction ; the 
height of the flight of steps which I have described might 
be sixty feet ; the name of the boiling spring is “ Tukupua- 
rangi or the Cloudy Atmosphere, from its always being 
shrouded in vapour ; the surrounding hills were covered with 
dark green fern, which set off this wonderful work of nature 
to greater advantage ; so large a number of boiling springs 
in so small a space, I never beheld ; indeed, I could distinctly 
hear the noise of several at the bottom of the lake, and others 
boiling up furiously from their subterraneous receptacles, all 
which conveyed to the mind a feeling of awe and insecurity ; 
it is not without some hesitation that the visitor treads the 
ground, fearing at each step lest the crust should give way 
and plunge him into the hidden depths below. 
The sun had set when we returned to the island, and 
finding that our natives had gone on to Piripai we followed 
by canoe, gliding amongst islands covered with rushes, and 
every instant starting the wild fowl from their warm retreats ; 
we landed in a retired nook shaded with trees, and after 
securing the canoe walked to the village, which is seated 
