306 INDIGENOUS PRODUCTS. [1840. 



nevertheless are really magnificent; they are mostly of the 

 pine species, and are regarded as among the most valuable in 

 the world for ship building. The Kauri pine attains an enor- 

 mous size : in 1841, one was cut and shipped which meas- 

 ured twenty-five feet in circumference at the base, and was 

 one hundred and fifty feet long; and quite lately there was 

 another standing on the eastern coast of New Ulster, seventy- 

 five feet in circumference, and estimated to be considerably 

 more than two hundred feet high. The Kaikotia pine does 

 not grow as large as the Kauri, but it is highly valued for 

 spars. 



The plains and low lands of New Zealand, in their natural 

 state, are overrun with masses of tall impenetrable fern 

 (pteris esculenta,)a.ad with thick bushy shrubs, while the 

 swamps and marshes produce rushes and the native flax 

 (jphormium tenax). From the latter is procured what has 

 already become, and what will henceforth be, one of the most 

 important staples of New Zealand. The flax is obtained from 

 the leaves, and not the stem, of the plant. It is remarkable 

 for the length, strength, and flexibility of its fibres ; and when 

 the necessary improvements shall have been introduced in its 

 preparation, it must yield a handsome profit to the grown-. 

 The preparation is now left to the native women, who cut it, 

 ;md after dividing it into strips an inch wide, separate the ex- 

 ternal epidermis, while still in a green state, from the inner 



is, by means of a muscle-shell or a pi glass. Gr 



can is re juired to keep the inner fibres straight, in order to 



I r< * srve their beauty : an I when the s sp iration is completed, 



ire hackled and divided, washed, and then b a •!,. 



i sun. 



■\ . r indigenous products of New ','. iland 



ku lara, or sweet potato ; a spceies if arum i ■. • \, 

 \ n -is • ■ i ■ r ed.loes ; I va Is '■ rv»d 



, . ■ • ' ra N'"v 



. I ; : t 1 . .' 



America, lr. is a. succulent trailing plant, having no preten- 

 sions to beauty, but possessing this advantage over the coin- 



