278 
Memoranda of an Excursion 
Proceeding hence, we suddenly came upon a most 
remarkable subsidence of the earth in the midst of a 
large plain. Descending through a rapidly-inclining 
and narrow defile, having sandy slopes on either side, 
I came to a level, also of sand and destitute of the least 
blade of vegetation; thence I descended, an almost 
perpendicular descent knee-deep in sand, to another 
level, where a subject for contemplation and astonish¬ 
ment presented itself. On all sides rose perpendicular 
and sandy cliffs, varying in height from 150 to 200 feet, 
for the most part white and sterile, and composed of 
volcanic sand and pebbles to their very bases. At the 
bottom of this immense ravine, a gentle stream wound 
its silent way; while, a little further on, whole trees, 
dead and charred (from whose sides the loose sand, &c. 
had been removed by the action of the winds and rains), 
stood erect, in the places where many ages ago they 
once grew; at a depth of from 100 to 200 feet below 
the present level of the soil! I greatly regretted my 
being so much pressed for time in passing this place, 
called by the natives, Piarere; but the sabbath drew 
nigh, we had no provision, with several miles yet to go 
ere we should reach a village; and the loose sand, 
through which we were now toiling, we often sank in 
up to our knees. 
Quitting this hollow', and ascending its S.W. side, I 
was again agreeably surprised in seeing the noble river 
Waikato, with its blue waters (here wide, and swift, and 
deep), rolling majestically along. This is the largest 
fresh water stream I have yet seen in New Zealand. 
This river the natives navigate in their canoes from 
above this place to where it disembogues into the 
Southern Ocean on the W. coast, a distance of nearly 
