river, and the river-bank is steep and brush-covered. The entrance, though hidden from view by foliage, is quite large, being some 10 ft. high, while inside the roof would be 15 ft., and the measurement across about the same.

The roof and walls were hung and cased with stalactite formations, while the floor, but for places here and there, was under water. On a ledge near the roof on the right on entering are to be found what are described as petrified ferns and twigs. These, however, were simply covered with the same deposit which formed the stalactites.

The passage portion enters the main part at the top, and a primitive wooden ladder had been placed to assist the explorer, but at the time of my visit this had become useless, so it was necessary to return to outer air, scale the cliff-side, and find the entrance to the passage-way.

The gully in which it was situated was a blind one and small, and, instead of opening out into a larger waterway, it had its course barred, and the water which it led away passed into the cave, and so found its way into the Manawatu. It may be that the gully itself was formed by the falling-in of a considerable underground passage.

For the purpose of measurement a reel of cotton was used here, as well as to give a feeling of security, for I had to do the exploration without assistance, the owner of the property not being able to accompany me.

The entrance is exceedingly confined, and inside there was a strong draught, which made an unprotected light an impossibility. I had been warned that there was an awkward hole some distance on in the passage, so this added to the interest.

A little way in there was room enough to look round. The walls, roof, and floor were composed simply of shells; indeed, the land in this district consists largely of shell deposits. Through this shell water percolated, and the shell was quite crumbly and rotten.

Inside the passage, by the aid of a large stock of matches, a weta was secured; it was one of several which struck against me, and its body now rests in Mr. Hudson's collection.

Finding my way out, I returned to the main cave to secure what specimens could be obtained without playing the part of a vandal. This, however, has not been guarded against to the extent it should have been.

Some years ago there was read a paper in which it was asked whether plaques could not be made in some of our New Zealand caves similar to those produced in the South of Europe; and this it appears to me could easily be done with the water holding the necessary matter in solution, which drops from the roof and runs down the sides of the Papatu Cave.