Goldie. — Maori Medical Lore. 119 



Podocarpus ferruqinea. (Miro, Toromiro.) 



The oil expressed from the drupes is given to patients re- 

 covering from fevers. It is also applied to the skin as an in- 

 secticide. The gum which exudes from the bark is applied to 

 wounds and ulcers. A liquor prepared from the leaves and bark 

 is taken internally for paipai (gonorrhoea) by the Tuhoe natives 

 (Best). 



Dacrydium cupressimum. (Rimu ; Red-pine.) 



This excessively astringent gum, obtained by making incisions 

 in the bark, is applied to wounds as a haemostatic. The inner 

 bark is bruised to a pulp and applied to burns. 



LiliacecB. 

 Phormium tenax, Forst. (Harakeke ; Flax.) 



The root is used as an anthelmintic and cathartic. It is 

 applied to ringworm, and to the skin of young children to prevent 

 chafing. The roasted root, beaten to a pulp, is applied to ab- 

 scesses and swollen joints, in the form of a poultice. A decoction 

 of the root with an equal portion of the juice of the kohia-heivy 

 is taken internally for flatulency. The alkaline gum is applied 

 to wounds and burns, and is taken internally in cases of 

 diarrhoea. 



Rhipogonum parvifl,orum. (Kareao ; Supplejack.) 



A decoction is used for the secondary symptoms of syphilis, 

 and to produce abortion. The young shoot is eaten to cure the 

 itch (hakihaki) ; the long underground rootstocks skinned and 

 then beaten to a pulp and steeped in water and strained, the 

 liquor being used medicinally. 



Cordyline australis. (Ti.) 



A decoction is used by the Maoris for dysentery and diarrhoea. 



Palmece. 



Areca sapida, Soland. (Nikau.) 



The slightly laxative pith is taken by pregnant women to 

 relax the pelvic ligaments and thus facilitate parturition. 



Graminem. 



Hierochloe redolens. (Kareta.) 



Used in the medicated vapour baths. 



Arundo conspicua. (Toetoe ; Feathery-grass.) 



The feathery part of the plant is applied to wounds, acting 

 mechanically as a haemostatic. The ashes of the burnt plant 



