CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



NEW ZEALAND TREES (Continued). 



THE KAHIKATEA OR KAKATERRA TREE (Dacrydium 

 excelsium or Dacrydium taxifolium). 



THIS majestic and noble-looking tree belongs to the 

 natural order of Taxacecz, more commonly known by 

 the name of Joint Firs. It is a native chiefly of the 

 temperate zone, and found abundantly in the close and 

 dense forests of New Zealand, occupying many of 

 the deep ravines, and generally preferring shelter and a 

 low-lying moist situation to bring it to the greatest 

 perfection. 



It is of straight and lofty growth, frequently attaining 

 a height of 150 to 180 feet, with a circumference of 6 to 

 1 5 feet. It is not an , uncommon thing to meet with 

 trees of this description, rising 60 feet and upwards in 

 the stem, without a branch, and from thence to see them 

 spreading out obliquely and forming a splendid conical 

 top. The bark is dark brown in colour, rough, in strips, 

 and also scaly ; the lower portion of the stem being 

 generally covered with moss. 



The leaves are short, dark-green in colour, narrow,, 

 rigid and erect, bristling evenly all round the branchlets. 

 The fruit is a red berry, which the natives are very fond 



