Thunder storms are not uncommon, and lightning is seen in all seasons. Falling stars are often observed, and meteorites reported occasionally.

Earthquakes have been known since the memory of the inhabitants, and tradition from a remote period tells of terrine changes on the earth’s surface in consequence of them. No condition of weather or of atmosphere can be fixed upon as necessary for their production, having been felt on wet and on dry days, on the calm sultry summer evenings, and during the cold rough winds of winter. From the quickness with which they have usually passed, it has been difficult to decide on their direction, but several vertical shocks have been distinctly felt. During the last ten years only three of severity have been experienced, one in 1842 which opened a fissure on the river side, between high and low water marks, the others, (felt also at Wellington, where much destruction of property resulted) in 1845 within a few days of each other. The overthrow of a few ill-built chimneys was the extent of mischief.

Soil.

The low ground most theso is composed of a sandy loam on a clay subsoil, a thick stratum of shingle, or of pumice finely divided, and evidently a deposit occasionally interspersing. Many hills in this part of the district were originally formed by sand drifts and are now thickly covered with fern. At a little distance from the river, and in the interior, a rich loam is everywhere found. In those swamps which have been examined the soil is light and porous, but abundantly rich with a thick substratum of pumice, resting on clay.

Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Productions

will, at some future day, when the advance of civilisation throughout the district shall have rendered necessary the formation of roads, afford an abundant field for the researches of the naturalist. At present our knowledge of them is limited, but it will be only necessary for me to mention such as are more immediately connected with the interests of the inhabitants.

Wild Mammalia

are few in number, the pig, cat, rat, mouse, and probably the dog, being the only terrestrial. A bat is seen fitting about during the summer evenings and the whale may be often observed passing the river.

Of Birds, several Falco and a Shrike are the Accipitres. The Struthious Moasheup, Tardus Motacilla, Tyrgtla, and Philedon families, are the more common Passerinae. The Psittacus, Picus and Cuculus may be mentioned as Scansores. The domesticated Gallinae are Pheasants, Turkeys, Common Fowl and Guinea Fowl, but the only wild members of the order appear to be the large Wood Pigeon, seen in almost every bush, and the rare Kakapo, inhabiting the wooded heights of the upper district. Of Grallae are found the Charadrius, Tringa, Platalea, Numenius, Ardea, Scolopax, two of Himantopus, a Hemotopus, an Apteryx, (the Groteseque Kiwi) and several of the Rallus family, the largest of which, is the Weka or Wood Hen. The Palmipedes are some Anas proper, several of the Carbo and Larus families, a Colymbus, and a bird of the Anser genus (Wiu) about the size of a small duck, possessed of an osseous protuberance on each pinion, by means of which it is enabled to climb the river banks. A Petrel (Titi) is often heard during the summer months on its passage from the sea to its nest inland, but is rarely seen. The domestic members of this order are the Cape and the British Goose, the common and the Muscovy Duck.

Of Reptiles there are only a few small inoffensive Sauria of the Lizard family, but the natives affirm the existence of a very large species among the hills on the upper part of the river, and name it the Mokopeke.

Of Pisces, the quantity obtainable in the river, and off its mouth is sufficient for the wants of a large population, but there being no regular fishing establishment, the supply is limited. The Clupea family are shadant, Clupea Alba being no less entitled to distinction than their British prototypes. Flounders, soles, eels, smelt, cod, gurnard and hream are plentiful. The Caracharia Vulgaris has been seen occasionally, and the Sillium is taken in large quantity by the natives, who consume it as food; the livers of these and other fishes are rejected, and a strong prejudices exists against that of the Hapuku, (a cod) which is considered poisonous, but it has been partaken of by Europeans without inconvenience.

The more common Mollusca are some of Turbo family, several of the Mytulis (salt and fresh water) some Cardiacea, Uniones, Mye and Buccini. Of Annelides it is perhaps only necessary for me to mention a Leech, but not having seen a specimen, whether the Hirudo Officinalis, I am in doubt. Some small crab of the family Telphusae and Pinotheres, the Cancer Astatus, (common in lakes and streams) and Graugon Vulgaris, are the more common edible Crustacea. Of Arachnidae, two called by the natives Katipo are poisonous, the bite of one (a small black spider, with a red spot on the back) being particularly dreaded. The larve of lepidopterous insects inflict considerable injury on the gardens during the early growth and fructification of plants and demand the constant surveillance of the cultivator. A large Gryllus inhabits the fern land, but has not been known to commit the ravages imputed to it, in the northern part of the Island. The Apis mellifera has been introduced, and Musca vomitoria et equina have found a home in the district. The sand fly and the mosquito are the more troublesome Diptera, and the Palex irritans proves an invaluable admonisher to cleanliness.

In the Vegetable department are many trees and shrubs, parts of which are edible; but few or none suited to the European palate; to some, the natives are very partial, and occasionally, in their journeys, subsist upon them; those most in use are the Pituau, or Mamaku (Cyathea Medullaris) an arborescent fern, the stem of which is sweet and pulpy. It is prepared by baking and affords a plentiful meal. The Kie-Kie, (Freycinetia Banksii) the fruit, about the size of a small pine apple, is of luscious sweetness; the blossoms of the Herekeke (Phormium tenax) afford a refreshing nectar in summer, very serviceable to the traveller. The Raupo, (Typha angustifolia) found in all swamps the root of which is slightly farinaceous. The berry of the Poroporo (a solanum) juice of the Tutu, (coriaria sarmentosa) and the fruit of the Karaka (corynocarpus laevigata) but the most valuable is undoubtedly the root of the Aruhe, (Pteris esculenta) or fern, which when baked, pounded and sifted affords a considerable quantity of farinaceous powder, highly nutritious and agreeable.

The apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, apricot, cherry, grape, gooseberry, strawberry and raspberry, are becoming plentiful, their cultivation being attended to by both sexes. Must, rock, Persian and other varieties of melon, are grown without protection from the weather, or the use of hot beds. Esculent vegetables, of nearly every kind used in Britain, are produced with little trouble, those principally consumed by the Aborigines are potatoes (one variety of which is said to be indigenous), the Tara (caladium esculentum)