A VISIT TO ROTO-MAHANA. 
249 
of moss, slightly petrified. As I ascended I found the steps 
increase in height and width, each containing one or more baths, 
some of cold water, others of warm, and some of both in the 
same basin. In one of the largest my companion and two or 
three of the natives who accompanied us entered. This noble 
bath was nearly fifty feet in length, and in parts too deep to 
wade through. As I wished to ascend to the higher steps to 
get a view of the boiling gulf, I requested my companion to 
call his dog which was following me. In going up I found 
the water almost too hot for the naked feet, and therefore 
crept up along the sides where the manuka and fern were 
growing very luxuriantly, and, strange to say, although over¬ 
hanging the steamy water, it felt icy cold to the feet. On 
reaching the top of the flight of steps, I found the silicious 
deposit had formed a level pavement, over which one or two 
inches of water, nearly boiling, flowed, beyond was a small 
pool, close to the gulf, which occupied the centre, and sent 
forth volumes of vapour, completely concealing its form from 
view. In the middle of the platform, was a rocky mound 
overhanging the chasm, where those who reached it obtained a 
nearer sight of the abyss; to facilitate which, a row of stepping- 
stones had been laid for travellers to pass over. As I was 
advancing along these, the poor dog, who had broken away 
from its master, ran past me, and finding the water scald his 
feet, he bounded on with a yell of pain, and, in an instant, 
plunged into the pool of hot water. The poor animal made a 
vain attempt to escape, it rolled over, and in an instant was 
dead, and sank to the bottom; its agonizing struggles quite 
unnerved me; it was one of the most distressing and painful 
sights I ever witnessed. I could render no aid, and knew 
if I had rescued the poor creature, its torments would only 
have been prolonged. After seeing it at the bottom of the pool 
which had thus suddenly become its grave, I retraced my steps. 
I afterwards learned that two poor children met a similar end 
some few years back in a neighbouring jmia ; the elder one, 
who was carrying an infant, went to take out a basket of 
potatoes which had been cooking in it; when, standing on the 
verge, the infant struggled in its bearer’s arms, and it is 
