THE GEOLOGY OF NEW ZEALAND. 
237 
Another proof to be adduced in favour of this hypothesis 
is the Moa (Dinornis), the gigantic ostrich of these islands. 
The struthious race of birds exclusively belongs to a mild 
climate; a warmer one than that where the remains of the 
Moa are now found. Formerly, not only were these birds 
numerous in the southern parts of the North Island, but in 
every part of the Middle Island as well. The remains of the 
gigantic Moa are seldom found without their being inter¬ 
mingled with those of several different sized species of the 
same bird. Hence it is to be inferred that the climate was 
once suitable for them, since they abounded, and at a com- 
of the natives. We got up the hill after a dangerous and most laborious ascent 
of thirteen hours, from the nearest point to which we could get the camp, but it 
was past seven in the evening, and although one- quarter of an hour would have 
placed me on the summit of the highest point, I could not spare that brief 
period, and was obliged to descend, ivithout going up the last slight rise 
(probably 50 feet in elevation and 300 yards in distance), which would have 
given me a view over everything. I consequently did not see the southern, but 
had a magnificent view in every other direction. We had to halt on the hill, 
about 700 feet below the summit, without fire, and in the midst of snow, but 
the weather fortunately was fine, and the cold less intense than I anticipated. 
We did not get back to camp until about six in the evening of the following 
day. The sad event of losing one of the party, added to other considerations, 
made me give up the idea of trying to cross to Port Cooper, and I at once 
returned to Wellington; but I believe there is no impediment in the way of 
such a journey; and I feel sure that if I had gone on, ten days from where I 
turned, would have brought me to Port Cooper. Little vegetation on the hill, 
but mosses and lichens, and some coarse grasses, besides prickly plants, of 
which the “ Taramea ” is the chief; but the singular part was, that on so steep 
and high a hill, where now nothing but mosses and lichens grow, were the 
charred remains of large totara trees, evidently shewing that the ground once 
has been low and has been covered with forest, and that it has been pushed 
up within a comparatively recent geological period. There was grey granite 
on the highest ridge. 
I will never willingly try to ascend any snowy mountain again. 
Believe me in haste yours very truly, 
Rev. R. Taylor. E. Eyre. 
Mr. Clifford, jun., stated the same to me, and further, that the totara is not 
now to be found anywhere in the vicinity of the mountain, although there, large 
trunks of totara trees, generally charred, are found beyond the region of 
grass, where nothing but moss and lichens grow. This gentleman stated that 
these remarkable remains of trees are generally laid in lines, and gave him the 
idea of drift timber, laying in such large quantities on the precipitous sides of 
the mountain. 
