golden fruit, which alt'ords a ready supply of nutritious food to the "Wild Pigeon, and the 

 Kaka. The fruit, or drupe, as it is t«>clinically called, is ordinarily ahout the size of a 

 plum, and shaped like an egg, turning from a dark green into a rich golden colour as it 

 ripens. The Natives in many j^arts, even to this day, gather it in large quantities, as an 

 article of food, Init in olden times it ])r()ved a staple article of suljsistence, and on that 

 account, as Avell as for its handsome appearance around their villages, the Karaka was 

 h(>ld in much veneration by them. 



"... Umbrageous, cool, and green. 

 Branches well-clothed, and jjolden fruit, 

 Reflecting back the sun's most ardi'nt slieen. 

 A very tree of life and joy." 



It was customary with the Maoris, wlu'n approaching, on important occasions, the 

 graves of their ancestors, to adorn their heads with a chaplet of the leaves of this tree. 

 The fleshy j^ai't, or covering of the kernel, is edihle, l)ut it has a sweet insijjid flavour, 

 which is much ap2)reciated hy the Maori, but is rather distasteful to the Eurojiean. 

 The raw kernels are ])oisonous, and when eaten in that state produce spasmodic [)ains, 

 giddiness, and partial paralysis, to obviate which efl'ects they are steamed for twenty-four 

 hours, and then either buried in earth, or allowed to soak in running water for some 

 days. The kernels thus jsrepared 1)ecome quite innocuous, and remain sound for a length 

 of time, in a dry store. The Karaka is in eadtivation in the south of England, and is 

 much admired as a handsome ti*ee. It may be grown from cuttings, but is best and 

 easiest raised from seed. It luxuriates in a rich damp soil. Seedlings should be 2)lanted 

 out Avhen they are about six inches high, and in cultivation are generally hardy. It is a 

 very excellent addition to a garden, and ])eing an evergreen, is always fresh and beautiful. 

 The tree is not known to possess any useful medicinal properties, Init this is amply 

 compensated for l)y its fruit-producing character, and its great beauty. 



