37

THE GEOLOGY OF AUCKLAND. 33

combed into innumerable longitudinal ridges of a florescent
bronze of brilliant and variegated hue.

"Of this island, Captain Drury, of H.M.S. Pandora, gives
the following description in the 'New Zealand Pilot':-

" 'White Island, or Whakari, is about three miles in circum-
ference, and 860 feet high. The base of the crater is one and a
half miles in circuit, and level with the sea. In the centre is a
boiling spring about 100 yards in circumference, sending volumes
of steam full two thousand feet high in calm weather. Around
the edges of the crater are numberless smaller geysers sounding
like so many high-pressure engines, and emitting steam with
such velocity that a stone thrown into the vortex would imme-
diately be shot in the air.

" 'Here and there are lakes of sulphurous water, dormant;
but the whole island is so heated as to make it difficult to walk.
From the edges of the crater to the scene below is only to be
compared to a well-dressed meadow of gorgeous green, with
meandering streams feeding the boiling cauldron; but on
approaching, we find this green to be the purest crystallised
sulphur.

" 'No animal or insect breathes on this island, scarcely a limpet
on the stones, and 200 fathoms will hardly reach the bottom
within half a mile of its shores.'

"Being under the lee of the island and in smooth water,
Captain Bowden, in the most obliging manner, hove the steamer
to, and lowering one of the quarter boats, conveyed us on shore to
enjoy a personal inspection of this grand natural curiosity.
There are two spots at which a landing may be effected, at the
openings of the outer base of the crater; by a very little exer-
tion in clearing away some of the boulders, the landing may be
rendered perfectly easy; but although, this day, the water was
smooth, still there was such a swell that judgment and caution
were requisite to pick out a spot where best to escape the
rollers that tumbled on the rough and broken beach.

"Never shall we forget the grand displays which we beheld in
this sulphurous caldron. Its paintings fresh from Nature's
hand - its lake of gorgeous green - its roaring jets of stormy
vapour - are things to be witnessed, difficult to be described;
but surprassing all these, and as if their central attraction, there