308 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



cases or tubs in the open, and were greatly admired by 

 the visitors, but, in the winter time, they were removed 

 under shelter. 



The specific gravity of the Rimu, when seasoned, is 

 about 678. 



THE MIRO TREE (Podocarpus fernigined) 



is found in slightly elevated situations in many of the 

 forests of New Zealand ; it prefers shelter and a damp, 

 although not an excessively moist soil, to bring it to per- 

 fection. It is of straight growth, and reaches the height 

 of about 60 feet, with a circumference of 5 feet. The 

 stem is clean, and rises to 30 or 35 feet clear of branches, 

 above which they are thrown out nearly horizontally. 

 The foliage is dark-green, very thick, and the leaves are 

 about ^th of an inch in width, and I inch in length ; 

 the fruit is a red berry with a hard stone; it is a favourite 

 food of the wood-pigeon. 



The wood varies from light to dark-brown in colour, 

 is close in grain, moderately hard and heavy, planes up 

 well, and takes a good polish. Some logs are nicely 

 figured ; it is, therefore, very suitable for cabinet-makers' 

 work, &c. It would also be useful to the turner, and for 

 any ornamental work, and as it yields timber 10 to 

 1 8 inches square, and 20 to 30 feet in length, it would, 

 no doubt, be fit for civil architecture. 



The specific gravity of Miro in a green state is 1214, 

 but, when seasoned, varies from 660 to 752. 



THE TOTARA TREE (Taxus, or Podocarpus totard) 



is of erect and straight growth, and attains the height of 

 about 80 to 90 feet, with a circumference of 6 feet. It 

 is tolerably abundant, and is found in many of the forests 



