occurs in immense abundance, although from growing in exposed situations it does not exhibit the extreme luxuriance which it displays at Rotomahana, and produces sori but sparingly. Schizœa dichotoma and Psilotum triquetrum attain here their southern limit, their occurrence being due to the influence of the boiling springs in modifying temperature. In the north the Schizœa is usually found about the roots of the kauri. Schizœa bifida occurs sparingly and in a depauperated condition, apparently suffering from the increased temperature. Juncus maritimus grows in great abundance amongst the hot springs on both sides of the river, but I am not aware that this characteristic littoral plant has been found in any other inland habitat except Ohinemutu. Lepidosperma concava is found in great abundance and vigour on the right bank of the river, but appears to be confined to a solitary habitat, the only one known south of the Thames. The famous alum cave at Orakeikorako is merely a deep hole sloping downwards from the face of the rock and containing a boiling spring which forms aluminous incrustations on the rocks within its influence, but the cave itself is chiefly remarkable for the richness and beauty of the plant-growth by which it is concealed. The face of the rock above the mouth of the cave is covered with a profusion of a slender climbing rata, Metrosideros hypericifolia, many of its sub-pendent branches supporting a growth of drooping mosses and scale mosses. The mouth of the cave is filled by striking specimens of the silver-tree fern (Cyathea dealbata) and the weki (Dicksonia squarrosa), their delicate tracery producing a most exquisite effect when viewed from the lower part of the cave. Several small ferns of great beauty cover portions of the mouth and detached rocks with a tapestry of the tenderest green, one of the most conspicuous being Lindsœa trichomanoides, which, although singularly local in the district, occurs here in profusion. The Maoris have made sufficient progress in civilization to attach a money value to “show-places.” At the time of my visit posts had been fixed for the erection of a gate which I was given to understand would be kept locked so as to prevent pakehas from visiting the cave until a payment of fifteen shillings had been extorted from each. It is to be desired that visitors on such terms may be few and far between! Oruanui. At Oruanui is an extensive forest, chiefly remarkable for the large amount of totara which it contains. Many of the trees are of large dimensions and excellent quality. The contractors for the telegraph are said to have procured the chief part of the timber used in the district from this locality. The small patches of forest on the hill sides contain a large proportion of matai and miro, and less frequently kahikatea.