This fascinating book by noted naturalist and explorer William Swainson provides a vivid account of life in New Zealand during the mid-19th century. With detailed descriptions of the country's natural beauty, its flora and fauna, and its people, as well as an account of the gold rush that transformed the country's economy, this book is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of New Zealand. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.