Chap. IV. " THE PLACE OF CLIFFS." 89 
fringed with graceful ferns and mosses down to the 
water's edge, while the wood on the top hangs far over 
the precipice from both sides. In this part, the only 
path to the settlements consists of a rude but strong 
ladder, consisting of trees and kareau, or supple-jack, 
reaching from the water to the top. It is this district 
of the country which is called by the natives Te TValii 
Pari, or " The Place of Cliffs." 
About half-way between the two places we passed 
Mangeao, an almost impregnable position, from which 
the Pf^anganui people have been accustomed to look 
down with security and contempt upon passing war- 
parties of the JVaikato and other invading tribes. 
Coming suddenly round a sharp bend in the river, 
you are in a rapid reach about half-a-mile long, beyond 
which the river again turns to the right. The cliffs 
increase in height as you advance into the reach, so 
that the forest-trees on their edge seem like feathers ; 
the song of the birds among them is only faintly heard, 
and the streams which rush over the steep are frittered 
into the thinnest spray long before they reach the 
water. Facing you, the cliff is surmounted by a steep 
hill of the additional height of some 500 or 600 feet, 
which seems to tower proudly over the trench in which 
the river flows ; and on its top, the natives told me 
afterwards, are cultivations, springs of water, and woods 
of large timber, and ample room to support many hun- 
dred people when compelled to take refuge there. 
Though the river has a considerable descent here, and 
the polers have to work hard throughout the distance in 
ascending, the gradual increase in the height of the cliffs 
combines with the way in which the strata strike the 
water-line, to produce a remarkable optical deception. 
It seems as though you were rapidly descending ; and 
I have more than once noticed that, in returning to- 
