54 Mr William Gorrie on New Zealand Plants 



ribbon-tree in order to ensure its early and extensive 

 introduction to British forest culture. As to the fore- 

 mentioned worthless and non-durable character of its wood, 

 it may be remarked that in young colonies the timber of 

 unknown indigenous trees is generally judged of by its 

 capability of withstanding the weather when employed for 

 fencing and other out-of-door constructions, without regard 

 to, or in ignorance of, its durability when kept dry ; hence 

 it may be presumed that the fissile or splitting properties 

 and toughness of the ribbon-tree timber may recommend 

 it for making riddle rims, basket handles, barrel hoops, 

 and many other purposes. A keen angler, on testing some 

 small twigs that I gave him, remarked that they would 

 make excellent points for fishing-rods. 



3. Plagianthus divaricatus. — A small shrub, with many 

 slender, spreading, tough branches. In all respects very 

 different from, and much inferior to the last, but equally 

 hardy, and would seemingly make good sweeping brooms 

 and pot scrubbers. As it is only found in salt marches, 

 where very few shrubby plants thrive, its cultivation in 

 u ch places might be found beneficial. 



4. Aristotelia racemosa {3IakomaJco and 3Iako of the 

 natives). — " A small, handsome tree, 6 to 20 feet high. 

 Wood white, very light, makes veneers." Has grown for 

 seven years on a south wall, where its branches have fre- 

 quently been partly killed down, but were reproduced in the 

 following season without any apparent diminution in vigour. 

 The very elegant, largish, irregularly-formed deciduous 

 leaves of this plant fully entitle it to a place on ornamental 

 garden walls. Some plants which I gave to Lady Orde, 

 four or five years since, have proved perfectly hardy in the 

 mild west coast climate of Kilmory, Lochgilphead. 



5. Discaria toumatou (the "Wild Irishman" of 

 settlers). — "A thorny bush in dry places, becoming a 

 small tree in damper localities, with spreading branches, 

 and branchlets reduced to spines 1 to 2 inches long, which 

 were used in tatooing" (Hooker), This curious and very 

 interesting plant has stood in the open ground with me 

 perfectly unharmed for five or six j'^ears, as have also plants 

 which I gave to Miss Hope of Wardie, and Charles Jenner, 

 Esq., Easter Duddingstone Lodge. The seeds from which 



