1 
EXPLANATION OE THE MAPS. 
69 
fissures of the rock, hot steam bursts forth, which we used for 
cooking our potatoes and meat, spreading them on ferns, 
according to native custom. • 
The centre of attraction and of interest is the eastern bank, 
where are the most important of the springs, which indeed the 
lake has to thank for its renown, and which are the most 
magnificent and grand ot all hot springs at present known. 
Te Tarata is situated at the north-eastern end of the lake. 
It lies 80 feet above the level of the lake, within a crater which 
is open towards the side of the lake, and forms the principal 
basis of this mighty bubbling spring. It is 80 feet long 
by 60 feet broad, and filled up to the brim with clear boiling 
water, which issues in the centre several feet higher, looking 
beautifully blue in its snow-white incrusted basin. Enormous 
clouds of steam, rising upwards, are reflected in the blue 
mirror of the basin. The temperature of the water, which pro¬ 
bably reaches to boiling-point in the centre, was 84° c. (183*2°E.) 
near the rim of the basin. The water is neither alkaline nor acid • 
it has a slightly salt taste, and possesses in a high degree the 
property ot petrifaction, or rather of incrustration. The sedi¬ 
ment consists, as in the hot springs of Iceland, of silica, and 
the overflow has formed on the slope of the hill a system of 
crystal terraces, which, appearing almost as white as marble, 
present a sight which it is -impossible to describe. It is as if a 
cascade, rushing over steps, had been suddenly arrested, and 
transformed into stone. Each of these steps has a small 
elevated rim, from which hang delicate stalactites ; and here 
and there, on the smaller and broader steps, are formed water 
basins. These blue basins, filled with crystal water, form 
natural baths, which could not be surpassed by those con¬ 
structed by the most refined luxury. One can select his 
bathing-place either deep or shallow, small or large, and of* 
every temperature according to his taste, as the basins situated 
on the heights near the source contain warmer water than 
those of the lower steps. Home of the basins are so large that 
a person can swim in them with comfort. Such is a description 
of the celebrated Te Tarata spring. The natives assert that 
the whole water in the principal basin is sometimes ejected 
suddenly with vast force, and that it is possible to look into 
the empty basin, thirty feet deep, which fills again speedily. 
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