A CLIMB ON MOUNT CAMEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9325, 30 March 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

A CLIMB ON MOUNT CAMEL.

[By Endymion.] Thus up the mount, in airy vision rapt, I stray. —Thomson'* beason&. THE SIIAPK. Mount Camel is a strangely-shaped hill, situated in tho far North, and jib faces Rangaunu Bay. Captain Cook so named it from its remarkablo resemblance to tho form of a recumbent camel. It has two humps and a long neck, terminating in a point remotely like tho head of such an animal. By tho sides are ridges bent at an anglo of so many degrees, and representing the folded legs. Tho eyes, cars, tail, and other particulars of a camel are not figured. Those aro left to the imagination. You cannot expect, a hill to correspond in every point of resemblance. hen you come to look at the stunted vegetation on its sides, by not a great stretch of fancy, that stands for the hair. Tho two humps give it tho distinctivo form. But for them it would bo a common kind of a hill, with no particular ideas associated with it. Thero is a fair harbour inside of it, and it occurs to mo that thoro is no harbour of any account in New Zealand without a big hill for a dofence, or flagstaff station, at its entrance. If there is, it is a defect. By a coincidence, as camels aro found near tho desert, this camel-shaped heap of stono and clay adjoins tho only portion of sandy desert I know of in Now Zealand. Its height is estimated at over 800 feet, and it is rather steep overlooking tho sea at one side, aud Ohora Harbour at the other. THE ASCENT. Our only companion for tho ascent was a little man whom nature did not intend to be a traveller. lie had short legs and wore slippers. But as ho was willing, and was furnished with spectacles, from which it could be inferred that he was a sight-seer, he came. It was wai m weather, and as we scrambled through the scrub and. up tho steep sides, wo found it to be 110 eaisy task. Half-way up our friend paused, and inquired for water. Wo thought it as well to inform him he might as easily find it in a fire as 011 that dry hillside. We arrived at tho summit. The first view produced a deep impression. Then the little man broke the silence with the extraordinary remark, " Well, this is the first time I was on a hill before !"

In the distance projected the form of tho North Cape, and near to it is the celebrated Reinga, famous for its tradition that the departing spirits of the " aborigines thence took their flight for the next world. The Romans had their mythological Hades and their river Styx, and old Charon to ferry them across, and the three-headed dog of Cerberus. It is wonderful how the olden Maoris got part of this idea. But man is hardly ever at a loss to account for something he knows very little about, and if it relates to the supernatural ho is often rarely at a loss for an explanation, risking tho absurdity. There is no practical contradiction. Of course I refer to mythological and its kindred representations that have deluded humanity so long, and do still find innumerable believers. Besides this tradition, the Maori sage had the convenient theory of the spirit revisiting the earth in the form of a little bird, or it became embodied in* a lizard ; but I wish that superstition took its departure over the rock of the Reinga, or became such a harmless thing as a gentle bird or lizard.

A STRANGE COUNTRY. To the south-east the irregular form of the land enclosing Doubtless Bay stretched, and to the west extended a narrow tract of land about seven miles across from coast to coast. The great forest in remote times occupied this area, as tho quantity of kauri gum found in it, testifies, but fire devastated it, and the scrub and heaps of sand now occupied "where flourished once a forest fair." The sand drifts are insatiably encroaching yearly, forming great mounds, and gradually moving into tho lakes, that are many in this long region. At every breeze, its fine drift sweeps on the edge of the huge sand banks. The land is gloomy in look, and abounds in swampy places, and creeks, where, I believe, all tho groat families of rushes, reeds, and sedges arc triumphantly represented. As wo were in an interesting locality, "Spinifex" and I rambled about to inspect the local botany, and we left our companion to rest on account of the slippers, and to contemplate the scene at leisure. REMARKABLE LOCAL PLANTS. The peculiar plant of this latitude is tho Cassytha Paniculata, or dodder laurel, also known as scrub vine. It is a parasite, and it looks like a russet-green coil of string wound repeatedly around tho shrubs, generally tea-tree. Its roots are not found in the ground like any other reasonable plant, but its little root-like clasps adhere to tho twigs of the sustaining plant, whence it derives its nourishment. It is also found in Australia., and the genus was known in ancient times, being mentioned by tho writer, Theophrastus. As it is-sensible to temperature, it is not found much further to the south. The Pimdia, another class of plants, also extensive in Australia, is numerous here. It is known as " ricsflower," from its small white blossoms, and the toughness of its bark. Hence in the penal settlements where the material was scarce, its fibre was twisted into whiplashes. They got their system of persuasion that timo from the saddler's shop, but now they appeal more to your reason. Who would ever think that such an innocent-looking plant was so used as an instrument of punishment? We hasten through it, while, true to its nature, it seems to lash us on the legs. In the gullies around the Mount are some remnants of the forest that havo always escaped fire and destructfon in those moist and sheltered hollows between ridges that are common to Is ewZealand. What a magnificcnfc mount this must havo been when covered with forest, and even with the great kauri, as tho soil contains gum. One of the handsomest trees when in blossom is tho Kohekoho the cedar of New Zealand (Dysoxylm gjKctabile.) The leaves are large and bitter. But its peculiarity is that the long racemes of pretty flowers are not attached to the leaf-stalk where they are generally found in any other plant, but 1 they grow quite independently from the trunk of tho tree, as if it were of opinion that tho leaves had enough to do to support themselves, though it may be it springs from the main stem to forestall the leaves in having tho first sharo of the sap. Tho corolla of these abundant flowers is white ; the petals are recurved, and of a light green. They emit perfume. The fruit are of tho size of a small walnut, and are hard, and russet green in hue. The pukapuka (Brachy glottis reparida), having a paperlike white surface under the leaf, is a common shrub on the Mount. I notice the roots slightly project from the soil, and sustain thereon the main stems. The aralias with their ornarnontal palmetto leaves, and dark berries, are occasionally found. The coprosma, or the New Zealand currant, in a variety of form ; tho tupakihi, the myrsine, or birch; the mahoe, the native laurel, the privet-leaved geniostoma, and the pohutukawa are the principal flora. We encountered also the beautiful whau (Eutdea arboresccns), several ferns, and much flax, and bunches of plume grass, OHORA. The harbour of Ohora is very picturesque. In the centre, the rocky islet of Takaroa, cone-shaped and grey, bearing sparse vegetation, rises some 100 feet nigh from the deep blue water on whose surface the shades of colour are beautifully shown. Some rare plants are found on the islet, saved from devouring cattle; and the writer was the first to discover on its summit ft plant rather rare, of the lycopod order*

named the psilotum triquctritm, and which was hitherto never known to be found north of Rangitoto. It has got a broom-like appearance. On the inland sido of the harbour, stands the residence of Mr. Subritzky. It is a solid, commodious building of stono, and is a remarkable monument of the industry and skill of tho brothers who founded hero their comfortable homo with their own hands. There is a row of blue gums fit each side, and a fine open space in front. On a particularly fine day, you may see thereon a peacook and a domesticated Australian swan.

GEOLOGY. The geology of tho Mount is interesting, though not much explored. Sir J. Hector stated that there were indications of copper and coal. The formation of tho neighbouring district is of carboniferous sandstone. Somo entertain a firm belief from quartz reefs, and auriferous indications, that there is gold near this hill. An enthusiastic geologist (amateur), the dream of whoso life was the precious metal, was conducted there one day by " Spinifex." They came to where a little moisture oozed from tho bank. In this, to tho intense joy of the amateur geologist, they found a pinch of gold dust. It was procured from a small bottle of J udson's gold paint, and previously placed there by "Spinifex." A pan was used, and the stuff washed and scrutinised by the enthusiastic prospector, while my tricky friend was actually sifting down over tho other's head brass filings, which came down in a line shower into tho pan and made its appearanco in the mud. "lam a mado man !" cried tho geologist, and he already entertained visions of wide acres, and a noble mansion, and a retinue of menials ; but he returned a disappointed man on discovering the fraud, by some awkwardness on tho part of "Spinifex," and gavo expression to severe remarks upon his conduct. At tho base of the hill was formerly a famous cooking camp, as tho numerous remains of stono ovens testify. Thero you find obsidian, or volcanic glass, tho red jasper, crystal quartz, felspar, and occasionally you may pick up native adzes. It is not a bad place for shells. There you seo numbers of the silvery Impcrator Cookii (Cook's Emperor shell), tho pecten, and the largo volute, Dolium Yciriegatum, the Southern triton, and the mutton fish shell, haliotis ir'w. On tho summit of tho hill is a hardy windy ridge ; we saw two skulls just peeping above tho surface. By removing a little of tho sand we came to the neck bones, and still in position perpendicularly, which led us to infer that the body had been buried generations ago, either in a sitting or in a standing posture. This reminded " Spinifex," "Dirt you ever remark," ho observed, " that if ever you owe a Maori anything ho will constantly dun you for it? I remember one time I offered a Maori a shilling to help mo to catch my horse. I had nob tho sum with mo, and I promised to return soon with it if ho would wait for me. When I got homo something diverted my attention, and I forgot all about it until years afterwards. As I happened to be again going that way,' when what do you think my astonished eyes saw? —the skeleton of tho poor Maori holding out his hand for the shilling ! " WILD I'IGS.

Mount Camel is over-run with wild pigs. In tins state it is remarkabio how they develop erect crests, long curved tusks, and with them, an enmity to men and dogs. When you meet them the best plan is to leave the country for awhile, by quickly ascending tho nearest tree. They make beds in the most comfortable situations they can find, generally under some low projecting branch, and lor softness and cleanliness they are superior. They have besides fern roots, crickets in summer, and you can see the in turning: over stones in search of them; and during tho peach season you find them usually under the trees awaiting the fall of the fruit. When tho weather is threatening for rain they assemble on tho ridges of the hills, making speedy preparations against the coming tempest, each having a few straws in his mouth ; and then they lose their temper, and get abusing and jostling one another, snapping and pushing and biting in a very bilious mood, and making the place disturbed with their angry cries. LIZARDS. We encountered two other objects common on Mount Camel, tho crreen lizard, Nault.inus Elecjanx, which wears a beautiful velvet-like skin of bright green, tho female having additional yellow spots. " Spinifcx" posted one of these lizards alive to a naturalist in Australia. Ho put tho creaturo into a secure box, punctured for air, and inclosed a month's provisions. After posting him, as ho and tho postmaster were discussing the present polite state of learning amongst the Maoris, tlioy heard a most unearthly cry from tho post box. The postmaster started, and asked tho other, " Did you hear a cry now as of somo one in distress in the distance ?" Then "Spinifcx" left, Tho Maori mailman also heard tho cry as ho was conveying the bag of letter's to Mangonui, and as the natives regard the lizard with dread, tho awe and horror he experienced on hearing that unnatural sound was wonderful. He hastened on, hoping it was only tho voice of the wild cat he had heard, quickly gave up the mailbag, returned and told his friends that he was bewitched. Tho other object to arrest the attention of tho naturalist Is the praying mautin frequently seen on the twigs, their green colour corresponding with the foliage. They are so termed from their long forelegs being placed togothor, and clasped claws, reminding of a devotional attitude. LOST IN' THE BOSK. Wo returned towards our companion, bub at first couldn't find him. Doubtless ho was lost in some clump of tea-tree. Now, getting lost is most trying to an inexperienced traveller in the bush. At first a sense of consternation seizes him, confusion follows, then he gets crazy, and, instead of calming himself and reasoning out tho situation, he flurries and rushes about like a big fish on a hook, and runs into places he has no business to run, and does a lob of cranky thing 3 he has no business to do, until he bocomes more and more bewildered. Ho is inclined to offer a large reward for his discovery, and bowails himself as the most unfortunate man 00 earth. It might liave beon a long search after our lost friend, until we saw a hawk swooping down in a very persistent and spirited manner on ono of the peaks, and we went to the rcscuo of the victim as humanity plainly prompted. A hill bo remarkable as this must havo had legends attached to it, but these record? are now as silent as its desolation. Tho remarkable hills of the old country havo their peculiar traditions attached to them. But Mount Camel in the far future must bo invested with the romantic associations of being the haunt of a long-departed race that never went over the rock of the Reinga to " the great majority."