102 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. IV. 
Between the base of the mountain ridge on which we 
now stood, and the banks of the upper TVaikato, a 
curious isolated hill rises to the height of 600 or 700 
feet out of the marshy flat. This hill is called Maunga 
Namu, or " Sand-fly Mountain," and is used as a ceme- 
tery by the natives. Descending from the high ground, 
we now crossed the Tokanuj a stream which flows from 
the northern side of the Pihanga, and, passing between 
the hills and Maunga Namu, glides into the lake near 
its S.W. corner. After crossing a small swamp, and a 
coppice of low manuka, we came suddenly on a novel 
scene. 
A space of about 10 acres on either side of the 
Tokanu stream is perforated with holes and cavities of 
various sizes, from which steam issues in large quan- 
tities. Some part of this space is barren, and whitened 
by the sulphureous exhalations from the hot springs ; 
but in other places, manuka and rich grass grow to 
the very edge of a boiling cavity. In some places, a 
small hole only is perceptible, from which issues a 
stream of steam : here the natives form their ovens, 
and cook food very nicely with great expedition. In 
other spots, cavities from 10 to 30 feet in diameter 
are filled with water of various temperatures ; some 
nearly boiling, others tempered by the cold stream 
which runs through one part of them. In one of the 
latter we all had a delicious bath. The cavity was too 
deep to reach the bottom, though we dived ofl* a bank 
eight feet high ; and the temperature varied from 70° 
to 100° as you approached or not the embouchure of 
the different springs that supply the bath. In all 
directions steam or hot water issues from the ground ; 
and the clouds of steam which cover the spot, and the 
gurgling of the diflerent hot fountains around you, add 
to the wonder excited by the strange sight A stranger 
