230 
Memoranda of an Excursion 
On the morning of the 9th, I once more recommenced 
my journey, crossing the Uawa at its mouth in a canoe. At 
first my route lay inland, but I soon found I had to descend 
again to the sea coast. In descending a high hill near the 
sea, I was gratified and rewarded, in discovering an elegant 
little Arthropodium in flower. This very distinct species, 
only 6-9 inches high, I only detected in this locality, although 
I sought it assiduously throughout the remainder of my 
journey. Close by it, a fine shrubby Pimclea flourished. 
A very shy and peculiar bird, closely allied to the cuckoo 
tribe (perhaps a species of Eudynamys ) was to be met with 
in these parts. This bird has a remarkably attenuated body 
and tail, with a silky spotted plumage, and a very sweet note. 
I have heard it, occasionally, in the middle of the night; the 
natives call it, Kohaperoa. Proceeding on, over long sandy 
beaches, I was soon overtaken with rain, from which I en¬ 
deavoured to shelter under some fine trees of Corynocarpus 
laviyatus , Forst ., which often grow in clumps near the 
shore; but the rain continuing, I was obliged to proceed. 
From some natives whom I met I obtained a basket of fresh 
Haliotes , the black fish of which, my baggage bearers ate 
raw with great zest. On their shells I found a peculiar little 
Patella , identical with a species discovered by Dr. Joseph 
Hooker, at Auckland Island.* At4p.m., we arrived at Pa* 
rinuiotera, the high bluft* promontory commonly known, from 
its appearance at sea, by the not inappropriate, though quite 
unclassical, cognomen of Gable-end foreland. This remark¬ 
able headland, of not less than 200 feet in perpendicular 
height, is entirely composed of white indurated clay, on whose 
face and sides grew not so much as a single moss or lichen, 
from the continual crumbling down of the clay of which it is 
composed. Here, in the pelting rain beneath this towering 
* B°th the botany and conchology of Auckland Island, appears not 
only to be closely allied to those of the New Zealand groupe, but to con¬ 
sist of the very same genera, and, in many instances, the same species. 
