318 THE KAHIKATEA-PINE. [PART Ih 



swampy ground. It grows rapidly, and attains a 

 large size, but its wood is less durable than that 

 of any other pine. Nevertheless, many small coast- 

 ing-vessels have been built of it ; and it is well 

 adapted for the inside wood-work of houses : but if 

 exposed to the outer air and to the humidity of the 

 climate, it requires a good paint to preserve it from 

 rotting. The kahikatea bears very numerous seeds 

 in bunches : the fruit is double ; the upper part, 

 which is the seed, is blue, and of an aromatic taste ; 

 the lower part is a sort of fleshy receptacle, not 

 however a mere hollow cup-shaped cover, but en- 

 tirely distinct from the seed : it is of a crimson 

 colour, and is slightly acidulous : both parts are of 

 the size of pepper-corns. According to the natives, 

 these berries, which they call koroi, ripen only 

 every third year. They are eaten with avidity by 

 the birds, and are considered a great delicacy by the 

 natives, who also press out the juice and drink it 

 unfermented. 



About ten Europeans are settled in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Otawao ; and in numerous dispersed 

 and fortified villages live several distinct tribes, all 

 belonging to the Waikato nation. On Sunday I 

 witnessed the assemblage and catechizing of the 

 Christian natives who live opposite the mission- 

 station. An old blind native, Haramona, or So- 

 lomon, as he has been christened, acted as catechist 

 to the men, feeling his way from one to the other 

 with his staff, and evincing excellent powers of 



