EXPLANATION OP THE MAPS. 
70 
limestone which appear at the Aotea and "Whaingaroa Harbours 
appear also at the northern hank of the "Waihaiakek© 
Eiver, forming the border walls and distributed in almost 
horizontal strata over the whole south-eastern side to 
the Aw a roa Eiver. At the Eakaunui Elver these chalk banks 
reach to the water’s edge, and form along the coast the most 
picturesque rocks in the shape of towers and ruins, in conse¬ 
quence of which this part of the Ivawhia Harbour has been 
designated the New Zealand Switzerland. The romantic and 
various shapes assumed by the torn and worn masses of 
rocks surprises the eye everywhere, while in the valleys, 
where lie the villages of the natives, the rich fields of corn 
and maize delight the beholder. I consider this as one of 
the most beautiful and fertile districts of New Zealand which 
I ] ia ve seen. The character of thdlandscape remains the same 
far up into the mountains, and 1000 feet above the harbour 
white masses of rock penetrate through the verdure of the 
forest and bush. Hence the name of Castle Hills for these 
mountains, which the natives call AVhenuapu. This neigh¬ 
bourhood also possesses numerous caves. This limestone 
formation appears also on the north side of the Kawhia 
Harbour, in the Towara Bay, and on the Puti Eiver ; it is 
rich in large oysters and terebratulse. 
The east side of the harbour consists partly of scattered 
volcanic tufa and conglomerate, which are connected with the 
trachy-dolerite chain of Pirongia. Over these mountains, 
paths thickly covered with bush lead inwards to the Waipa 
