2102 



ARBORETUM AND FKUTICET UM. 



PART III. 



2001 



harder than that of any of the New Zealand Conl ferae, and is much valued 

 either for planks or spars. In colour it is an intermixture of white and 

 red ; and no green resin exudes from it. The fruit, which U a small red 

 berry, containing a black seed, is eaten by the natives. The tree is not 

 abundant, having its habitat only in particular districts. Dacrydium 

 cupressinum was introduced into England in 1825, and there are now 

 plants in several collections. From its native country, we think it not un- 

 likely to prove hardy ; and, without doubt, it will stand our winters against 

 a wall, with very little protection. It is propagated by cuttings, like heaths. 



D. taxifblium Soland., Lam. Pin., ed. 2., No. 69., is mentioned in Cap. 

 tain Cook's First Voyage as growing in swamps, and forming a very tall 

 tree, with a leaf not unlike a yew, and berries in small bunches. Captain 

 Cook's carpenter thought it fit for masts for vessels of any size. It has 

 not yet been introduced. 



D. excelsum Don, Lam. Pin., ed. 2., the kahikatea, or swamp pine, 

 was observed by the late Mr. Richard Cunningham on the Hokianga 

 River, in January, 1834, " laden with the climbing freycinetia, whose 

 rooting rope-like stem, with here and there a tuft of leaves, wound itself 

 spirally to the summits of those straight and lofty trees." (Camp, to Rot. 

 Mag., ii. p. 217.) Mr. George Bennett says that this species attains a height 

 of from 120 ft. to 130 ft., with a trunk from 12 ft, to 18 ft. in diameter, being 

 the loftiest timber tree in New Zealand. The wood is soft, and used for 

 making the common canoes; the great length of the trunk enabling 

 them to be constructed of a large size for carrying provisions. 



1) ? plumbsum D. Don, the kawaka of the New Zealanders, is a tree 

 attaining the height of 60ft. or 70ft., and regularly furnished with 

 branches, which, Mr. Bennett informs us, is the meaning .of the name 

 given to it by the natives. The timber is red, and of an excellent quality 

 for either plank or spar. 



D. eldtum Wall, Juniperus elkta Roxb., is a lofty evergreen tree, a native of Pulo-Penang. Intro- 

 duced in 1830. There are plants at Messrs. Loddiges's, and a very handsome one in Knight's Exotic 

 Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea. 



Phyll6cladis Rich. Mem, Conif., p. 129. ; Podocarpus 

 sp. Labill. This is a monoecious genus, with small obscure 

 male and female flowers in separate catkins. The fruit 

 resembles that of T^axus. Only one species is known. 



P. rhomboidalis Rich. Mem. Conif., p. 2a t. 3. f. 2. and 

 our figs. 2002,2003. ; Podocarpus asplenifolius Labill. Spe- 

 cim. Nov. Holl., 2. p. 71. t 221. A branchy tree, according 

 to Labillardiere, from 40ft. to 50ft. in height. The 

 branches are spreading ; the leaves angular, with foliaceous 

 wing-like appendages at their base, and varying so much 

 in the manner in which they are cut, as occasionally to 

 appear pinnatifid. At their apex, there are sometimes 

 little leafy appendages, which at length become leaves. 

 The flowers are monoecious ; the male and female on 

 different branches, and terminal. The leaves appear to be 

 compressed branches, in manner of those of Xylophylla. 

 It is a native of Cape Van Diemen ; and only dried speci- 

 mens have hitherto been introduced. 



P. tricfiomanb'ldeiR.'-.Br., and D. Don in Lamb. Pin., ed. 

 2., vol. ii., the tanakaa of the natives, is described by Mr. 

 G. Bennett, as having pinnate frondose leaves, and at- 

 taining the height of from 60ft. to 70ft., with a trunk 

 from 14 ft. to 16ft. in circumference. The timber is hard, and so heavy that it sinks in water. The 

 bark u used by the natives for dyeing the New Zealand flax of a red or black colour ; the black New 



mat;. 



2003 



Zealand mate being dyed by simply immersing them in a decoction of the bark of this tree. Mr. 

 Richard Cunningham describes P. frichomandldes as of " graceful regular growth," and as " fur- 

 nishing an exceedingly valuable timber, which is much sought after for the decks of ship*." (Comp. 

 to the Sot. Mag n ii. p. 218.) 



