2604 



SUPPI RMKN r 



had arrived at Plymouth, for the use of the dockyard there, which 

 were found fully to sustain the high reputation the wood had pre- 

 viously attained. Mr. Yate, in his Account of Nciv Zealand, &c., 

 describes the tree as affording trunks from 85 ft. to 95 ft. long without a 

 branch, and sometimes 12 ft. in diameter ; yielding a log of heart timber 

 1 1 ft. in diameter. One which he measured, and which was perfectly 

 sound, was 40 ft. 11 in. in circumference. The wood has the appear- 

 ance of deal, works well under the plane, and smells strongly of resin. 

 The general appearance of the tree in its native forests is most remark- 

 able ; the small size and great number of its leaves giving it somewhat 

 the apijcarance of a box tree. The resin, which is too hard to be 

 scratched by the nail, was found by Mr. Prideaux to be very inflamma- 

 ble, and to burn away with a clear bright flame, but not to drop. On 

 attempting to melt it, it was found to Ti-oth and swell, giving out water 

 and aromatic oil, and becoming transparent, but not liquid. After 



