THE TIMBERS OF COMMERCE 



plentiful, up to 50 ft. long by 2 ft. in diam." (24). " A tree 

 about 80 ft. high by 2 to 4 ft. in diam." (57). " One of the 

 hardest and toughest of the Coniferae, . . . hardens upon 

 exposure and becomes greasy in the course of time, . . . 

 outdoor-work, . . . extremely durable, . . . fencing posts, 

 building- timber, weather boards, sleepers, bridge-building " (91). 

 " Suitable for cabinet purposes and architecture " (60). Works 

 readily and sweetly though not easily: the grain ''picks up" 

 badly when planed. 



Authorities, Perceval (91), pp. 14 and 39. Laslett (61), p. 434. 

 Kew Guide (57), p. 77. Collinson (24). 



Colour. Heart- wood " bright, rich cinnamon colour and occa- 

 sionally of a brownish hue " (91). " Yellow " (61). Reddish or 

 reddish-brown sharply defined from the ecru or brownish-white 

 sap-wood, which is about I to i inches wide. 



Anatomical Characters. As those of Podocarpus dacrydioides 

 No. 219. Ring-boundaries as narrow, but fading gradually 

 into the Summer wood of the same ring like those of P. 

 spicata. Rays on the limit of vision, yellow or brown : in 

 Radial section readily visible though not conspicuous on a 

 planed surface. 



Type specimen authenticated by the Forest Officer to the 

 Government of New Zealand. 



No. 222. TOTARA. Podocarpus Totara. G. Benn. 



PLATE XVI. FIG. 140. 



Natural Order. Coniferae. 



Synonyms. P. Totaro. A. Cunn (61). 



Alternative Names. New Zealand Yew. 



Source of Supply. New Zealand only. 



Physical Characters, etc. Recorded dry-weight 28-37 Ibs. 

 per cu. ft. Hardness, Grade 7, compare Spruce. Slightly 

 fragrant when worked. Taste very little. Burns very well 

 with a long smoky flame and little aroma : embers glow in still 

 air. Solution colourless : potash gives a copious, pale, brownish 

 ppt. with aqueous solution. 



Grain. Extremely fine, uniform, close and even. Surface 

 shining, crystalline under the lens : slightly sticky to the touch. 



Bark. Deep red or brown : about ij inch thick, soft, ragged, 

 fibrous, laminated, stripping in strings : uniform in structure. 



Uses, etc. " Of short fibre, breaks easily, shrinks a good deal 

 laterally and endwise, splits easily into shingles and laths, . . . 

 greasy, . . . most durable when worm-eaten : useful in joinery 

 but not in carpentry . . . the most valuable wood in N.Z. for 

 building, fencing and furniture, for it is not affected by wet,which 



252 



