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splendid sport; and I believe the grass tops of the Westland Eanges would suit them well, and there is little prospect of any one finding many tops suitable for sheep, so the chamois would not interfere with settlers; while in Canterbury the Malte Brun and Leibig Eanges would be an admirable home This is I think, all to be said of the Franz Josef in a short report of this sort, but it will attract more attention, I believe, from scientific men than any we have, not even excepting the Fox Glacier. In it they will find study of ice-worn rocks, obstacles in the path of the ice, and the effect of the ice on them illustrated in a manner which is, I imagine, almost unique. With regard to the names put on the various tributary glaciers, we have used the names of Swiss guides, and on the Dome, next to Boon, placed the name of " Anderegg," after Melchior Anderegg, one of the finest specimens of Swiss guides, and as good a man as ever wielded an ice-axe. Aethur P. Haepee.

SOUTH WEST OF LAKE MANAPOURI. For some years past it has been the wish of Mr. W. S. Pillans and myself to make an excursion into that portion of country lying south-west of Lake Manapouri, which is the largest part marked unexplored on our maps, to endeavour, if possible, to find a practicable _ pass through the mountains to the West Coast, and also with a view to obtaining some information regarding that unknown country. We made the excursion in March, Messrs. W. Earnshaw and Robert Murrel ioinina the expedition. Crossing Lake Manapouri, we pitched our main camp on the west arm of that lake and then followed the course of the Spey River to its source. An unfortunate mishap occurred on our third day's journey, when Mr. Pillans was overturned by the river and our prismatic compass lost. This was most serious, as our observations then depended on ordinary pocketcompassesf which were less reliable. The river, which had been high for a day or two was now in splendid condition for following, being low enough to cross and recross, thus enabling us to make use of the beaches. After passing several tributaries, early on the third day we reached a spot where a branch from the south comes into the main river. After traversing the south, or interior branch, for about half a mile, we were met with a succession of waterfalls, which forced us to leave the stream and strike up a steep face to the right. After rising about 2,500 ft. we camped Early next morning we reached the bush-line, coming out on a small plateau. From this point we obtained a good view of the course of the south branch to its source—a pretty lake surrounded by an amphitheatre of cliffs, except to the right, where a grassy shoulder made an exit easy to what appeared to be a good saddle beyond. Continuing to ascend, we soon reached the top of a mountain which we named the Pinnacle. The mountain drops almost sheer down towards the north, and 'there are a series of deep rents for some distance back, leaving great pinnacles standing. 1 rom this point we obtained a good view of the country. Beyond we saw what appeared to be a.good saddle to the left, and a pass to the right, divided by a round-shaped hill a little oyer- 4,000 ft. high The left-hand saddle we could not reach from where we stood, being barred by cliffs, but we could see an easy approach from the lake. We therefore made for the right-hand pass This proved to be merely a rent or gulch in the mountain, the travelling being exceedingly difficult ana the ascent steep, with rocks projecting from the left, smooth and slippery, with scarcely a ridge to cling to, and running on the right under overhanging ledges. At the upper end the gulch is being rapiQlv filled up by great falls of rock from Mount Memphis, some fragments weighing fully fifty tons The gulch at one time must have been a lower pass. This gulch can never be of any service as a hignway, the height being 3,800 ft. After going through, we had an opportunity of seeing the lower saddle on the left, which was some 500 ft. or 600 ft. below us, and could be maue into a good road with some side-cuttings. We had now reached the watershed dividing the east from the west. A small stream flowing away towards the sounds, bearing south 20deg. west, was soon ioined by one coming over a rocky face from a lake on the top of Mount Memphis. Two days were devoted to exploring the western watershed from that pass, and observations were taken from Mount Memphis. We then struck for the west branch of the Spey, skirting Ihe Pinnacles, reaching the river at an altitude of 1,500 ft., just at the junction of the Wynnburn. There is an open clearing at that spot for about half-a-mile, and it is very boggy. Following the river we reached a gorge between two high bluffs which terminated in three waterfalls. At this point the river was left, and the bluff scaled about 400 ft.; after that the work became easy. Two saddles were then ahead—one straight on, the other, and much the easier, trending towards the north This proved to have a fine valley leading up. On the saddle were two small tarns or lakelets the water from the first running towards the east, from the other flowing west. The pass was open, the western side gradually falling away; then a lovely valley opens out wide grassy and sunny, with streams meandering through groups of shady trees. Hillocks rise here and there It resembled a pleasant park. Pretty waterfalls come trickling over granite faces from sparkling lakelets and tarns nestling in sunny nooks in the mountains. The whole is unlike all the other passes which we have seen. They are all rocky accumulations and steepish faces of the character of McKinnon's Pass to Milford. This valley runs due west for about two miles, then joins the Seaforth at right angles, and follows a southerly course until it unites with the valley of the Kintail coming from Pillan's Pass. The general course of the valley there for about six miles is south twenty west. It then strikes due west for some four miles until Dusky Sound is reached. The average width of the Seaforth Valley is about three-quarters of a mile. It is all heavilytimbered, as are also the mountain-sides up to the bush-line. There are some swampy openings and two small lakes in the valley. , ~ At Loch Maree we had connected with the most north-westerly explorations and observations of Mr District Surveyor Hay (a most arduous work undertaken by that gentleman in 1882). We were unable to go through the remainder of the way, as it was unsafe to venture further with our diminished supply of provisions, which were quite insufficient to do that distance and enable us to