HEALTHINESS. 
253 
above the level of the sea, and this being in the southern part 
of the Northern Island, will enable the reader to form some 
idea of its general temperature. 
FOREST SCENERY. 
From climate we naturally pass to the consideration of the 
healthiness or unhealthiness of the country; and in this respect, 
we shall find New Zealand, perhaps, not inferior to any country. 
It is naturally healthy ; and those who have come to its shores 
in a delicate state, have, in general, been speedily restored. 
The chief diseases of the country are those affecting the 
nerves; but these, in a great measure, are to be ascribed 
to careless exposure;—the climate being so mild, numbers 
sleep out, throwing themselves on the ground without any 
protection from the heavy dews, beyond, perhaps, a cloak. 
This cannot be done with impunity. Rheumatic pains, fever, 
&c., sooner or later, will remind the person of his imprudence ; 
they become so naturalized in the system, as never afterwards 
to be eradicated. But those who take a tythe of the precau- 
