14

10 THE GEOLOGY OF AUCKLAN.

ally MM. Dieffenbach and Dana, had already visited and
described at length some parts of the Northern country.

Through the liberality and excellent arrangements of the
General and Provincial Governments, I have been enabled in
a comparatively short time to travel over and to examine the
larger portion of the Province South of Auckland, extending
as far as Lake Taupo and Tongariro Volcano, the boundaries
between this Province and those of Wellington and Hawke's
Bay. I have thus obtained materials which will enable me, on
my return to Europe, to construct a Topographical and Geolo-
gical Map of the central part of the Northern Island.

My observations have, with the able assistance of Mr. Drum-
mond Hay, extended from the East to the West Coast; and the
numerous peaks and ranges have afforded facilities for fixing
with satisfactory accuracy, by means of magnetic bearings, on
the basis of points previously fixed by the nautical survey of
Capt. Drury on the coast-line, all the great natural features of
this portion of the country. A great number of barometrical
observations have afforded me the means of ascertaining the
heights of mountains and plains in the interior, which I shall
be able to calculate with accuracy by the aid of corresponding
daily observations, taken in Auckland by Colonel Mould, who
has kindly forwarded me a copy of his tables.

I have also obtained photographic and other views of great
interest, many of which were taken by the gentlemen who
accompanied me on the expedition for this purpose; and a large
number of exceedingly valuable sketches have been contributed
by the talented pencil of our president, Mr. C. Heaphy, for
future publication in a geological atlas. Many of these are
decorating the walls and others are lying on the table, and I shall
be happy to show them to any ladies and gentlemen who may
feel any interest in seeing them, at the conclusion of this lecture.

My collections have been growing from day to day, and
include specimens of great interest in most branches of Natural
History. I owe a great deal to the indefatigable zeal of my
friend and fellow-traveller, Mr. J. Haast, who assisted me in
collecting during our expedition. I am also much indebted to
Mr. J. Crawford at Wellington, Mr A.S. Atkinson of Tara-
naki, Mr. Triphook of Hawke's Bay, Mr H.T. Kemp of the