1889-90-] The Kaiirie Pine. 359 



of the northern hemisphere. The glaucous or cinereous hue 

 of the bark under certain atmospheric conditions appears to 

 surround the trunks with an undefined haze, an effect which 

 is only to be found in a Kaurie forest. The bark scales off in 

 large flat flakes, and as it decays forms a mound of humus 

 surrounding the base of eacli tree, and is highly charged with 

 resin, which exudes from the slightest wound on the trunk 

 or leaves, ail parts of the plant being excessively resinous." 

 Though from 80 to 100 feet is the average height of these 

 trees, specimens are to be found here and there very much 

 higher. Some are recorded as being 150 and even 200 

 feet, with trunks varying from 20 to 60 feet in circum- 

 ference. 



Along with its great value as a timber tree, the Kaurie is 

 important for the immense quantity of gum which it produces, 

 and this is obtained by a different process from that we are 

 accustomed to associate with other trees of a similar character. 

 Instead of tapping as the only mode of obtaining the precious 

 article, Mr Kirk informs us that large quantities are also dug 

 up at a depth of from six to seven feet from the ground once 

 covered by primeval forests of this tree. " Gum digging," he 

 says, " is a standard resource for the industrious, and the 

 Auckland gum-fields have proved, it is said, far more beneficial 

 to the district than its gold-fields, no capital or machinery 

 being required beyond a gum spear or spade." As regards 

 the gum itself, it is described as similar but far superior to 

 copal, which is the produce of the Ehus coppalina, a North 

 American tree. 



I may add that in this country the Kaurie can only be 

 cultivated under the shelter of a conservatory, and there it 

 forms a peculiarly graceful evergreen specimen, quite distinct 

 from the other shrubs and trees usually seen in such struc- 

 tures. 



