214 
Memoranda of an Excursion 
attracting the notice of the most careless observer. Of Ma- 
naia, the inner eminence of five jutting peaks, the natives tell 
a legend, stating that those peaks comprise Manaia, his wife, 
two children, aud slave, who were here turned into stone. 
Paeko, the slave, is seen in a submissive bending position, 
just below the others, on the S.E. side of the eminence, to 
which place he was kicked by his mother ! Among the na¬ 
tives, in cases where a female was suspected of adultery, and 
proofs were wanting, Manaia’s aid was generally invoeated 
in an ancient song. The scenery in this neighbourhood, es¬ 
pecially from the village of Parua, looking over Kaiwa Bay, 
is of a very romantic character. 
Evening overtook us oft' Aotea, or Barrier Island, where 
copper, and subsequently nickel, has been found. The wind 
falling calm during the night, we made but little progress. 
Morning discovered to our view the Mercury Isles, a group 
of small uninhabited islets lying off the northern head of 
Mercury Bay; one of the outermost of which has a gigantic 
perforation completely through, the bases of which natural 
arch are curiously ornamented with two colossal figures, in a 
reclining position. I obtained from these isles, a few years 
ago, fine specimens of menilite, wood stone*', and chalcedony; 
of the latter stone, which was unusually fine, large seals have 
subsequently been cut. Near Mercury Bay, the Dammar 
forests cease; and beyond Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty, 
throughout the whole southern part of the island, a Dammar 
has never yet been seen. The wind being light, we made 
but little way; at evening, however, we had Tuhua, or Mayor 
Island, in sight. This island appears to be of volcanic origin, 
and abounds in pumice, obsidian, slag lava, pitch stone, and 
other vitreous and volcanic substances. 1 use the word 
* B- M*Cormick, Esq., II.M.S. Erebus, when looking over my cabi¬ 
net, expressed his astonishment at my having similar specimens of wood 
stone to those collected by him at Kerguelen’s Land ; assuring me that 
they were perfectly alike. 
