31

C—3.

P. Colensoi can only be considered a variety of this species. All the large New Zealand Pittosporads are called tarata by the Natives, and turpentine trees by the settlers. 41. Mahoe. — (Melicytus ramifiorus.) A common tree in lowland districts throughout the colony, sometimes 40 feet high, with a trunk 2 feet in diameter, but usually smaller. Wood soft, white, not durable. Foliage eaten by horses and cattle. 42. Houi. — (Plagianthus betulinus.) A graceful tree, 30 to 50 feet high ; trunk, Ito 2\ feet in diameter; more closely resembling the European birch in appearance than any other tree in the colony. Wood white, compact, remarkably fissile, but not durable. Has been used for shingles, &c. One of the trees termed ribbonwood by the settlers. 43. Whaeangi pieou.— (Melicope ternata.) A small tree, or more frequently a shrub, with pale green trifoliate leaves. Wood of a peculiar satiny lustre; used in Auckland for inlaying. 44. Kaikomako. — (Pennantia corymbosa.) A small tree, 20 to 30 feet high, bearing a profusion of handsome waxy white flowers. Trunk, 1 foot or more in diameter. Wood, dense, compact; sometimes used by cabinet-makers. 45. Akeake. — (Dodonaeaviscosa.) This sometimes attains the dimensions of a small tree, 30 feet high, when it affords a dark, heavy timber, of even compact grain and great durability. 46. Kaeaka. — (Corynocarpus laevigata.) A well-known tree, with large ovate, glossy, coriaceous leaves. Height, 30 to 40 feet; trunk, Ito 2 feet in diameter. Wood white, compact, but not durable. Foliage avidly eaten by horses and cattle. 47. New Zealand Lilac.— (Quintinia serrata.) The typical form of this tree is confined to the kauri district, where it varies from a shrub with viscid foliage and lilac-coloured flowers, to a tree 40 feet high, trunk 12 to 18 inches in diameter. In the south lowland district, the variety B forms large portions of the forest, attaining greater dimensions and forming clean, well-grown trunks, adapted for a variety of purposes, as tramway sleepers, fence stuff, <fee, &c. Its durability is probably about the same as that of tawhero, to which indeed it is closely allied. 48. Pibipieiwhata.— (Carpodetus serratus.) This also is closely allied to the tawhero, but it is a much smaller tree, with slender straggling branches, bearing clusters of small white flowers. Trunk rarely more than 9 inches in diameter; wood, compact and tough. 49. Makamaka. — (Ackama rosaefolia.) A handsome tree, with foliage resembling the mountain ash (Pyrus aucuparia) of Europe. Trunk sometimes more than 2 feet in diameter, producing a timber similar to the tawhero, with which it is closely allied. Bark used for tanning. 50. Manuka —Tea-teee. — (Leptospernium scoparium.) This well-known plant attains the dimensions of a tree but rarely; it is usually a shrub from Ito 15 feet high, but occasionally forms a trunk 12 to 18 inches in diameter, affording a deep red timber, inferior in strength and durability to the rawiri (L. ericoides). 51. Eamabama. — (Myrtus bullata.) 52. Eohutu. — (Myrtus pedunculata.) The ramarama is almost confined to the North Island, where it varies from a shrub to a tree, with a trunk 10 inches in diameter, the wood of which is valued for purposes requiring density and toughness ;it is also used for cabinetwork. Its brown inflated foliage and myrtle-like leaves render it an attractive plant. The rohutu yields a timber of similar quality, but rarely attaining such large dimensions ; it is plentiful in Otago. The wood of M. obcordata is doubtless of equal value with the above. 53. Kohutuhutu. — (Fuchsia excorticata.) This attains large dimensions in many districts ; the twisted gnarly trunk is sometimes 10 or 12 feet long, and over 2 feet in diameter. The timber is certainly durable, and well adapted for house blocks, which are found sound and good after being down upwards of twenty years. 54. Lancewood —Hoboeka. — (Panax crassifiolium.) A shrub or small tree, sometimes 20 to 30 feet high, with a trunk 10 or 12 inches in diameter. The timber is compact and firm, but not durable in ordinary circumstances, although Mr. Blair states that small piles, driven in a jetty at Port Chalmers twenty-seven years ago, are still in good preservation. Panax Colensoi and P. Edgerleyii afford good firewood.