Page:Mannering - With axe and rope in the New Zealand Alps.djvu/20

2 Island (or Middle Island as it is sometimes called), where the High Alps and their wonderful glaciers are situated.

Speaking generally, the highest mountains of New Zealand may be said to run in a north-easterly direction from the southernmost point of the South Island through the whole country, like a vast backbone, to the north-eastern point of the North Island.

The main formation of the mountains dates back to Jurassic times, so that the geological structure may be said to be one of great antiquity.

Volcanic action has long since ceased throughout the South Island; but there are many active volcanoes in the North, where a perfect wonderland of hot-springs, solfataras, and silica terraces exists.

As a whole, the country is heavily timbered—more thickly on the western parts, where the greater rainfall occurs. This is notably the case in the South Island, where the hot and moisture laden winds from tropical regions are deprived by the Alpine chain of their aqueous vapour.

The Southern Alps proper may be said to extend over a distance of about one hundred miles of the middle part of the South Island, the chain being situated closer to the western than the eastern ocean. The slopes on the western side are the more precipitous, and are clothed with heavy timber and intersected by innumerable mountain torrents, fed in most cases by glaciers, some of which descend to within 600 feet of sea-level.

Ranges of outlying foot-hills occur on the eastern side, snow-covered in winter, amongst which many