482 Transactions. — Botany. 



dying bush, as well as in the " second growth." It is a 

 remarkably handsome tree, with a dark glossy ash-like leaf 

 and bright scarlet berry, and affords an excellent timber for 

 all purposes where toughness and elasticity are required. 



Pittosporuvis. — The Pittosjoorums form a large class, and 

 are distributed more or less all over the country. They are 

 of no great size, and of little account as timber trees ; but, 

 being extremely hardy and perfectly cattle-resistant, their 

 graceful outline and beautiful foliage add greatly to the ap- 

 pearance of the forest. Like the titoki, they are often found 

 in increasing quantities as the old bush dies away, and it is 

 not uncommon to meet with healthy plants springing up in 

 shrubberies and garden-ground from seeds carried by the 

 birds. 



Fern-trees. — Much of the characteristic beauty of the 

 New Zealand bush is owing to the presence of the fern-trees 

 scattered through the undergrowth. Although botanists are 

 able to distinguish a larger number, they are generally 

 divided by bushmen and ordinary observers into three species 

 — viz., the tall waving korau or mamaku, the more robust 

 ponga, and the short thickly growing wheki. The two latter 

 are not much molested by cattle, unless the place is very 

 heavily stocked, but the succulent fronds of the korau are 

 immediately eaten whenever within reach. As, however, this 

 species chiefly affects low and damp situations, it is frequently 

 found in deep, narrow watercourses, where it forms beautiful 

 palm-like groves secure from the attacks of the enemy. 



