3io TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



THE RATA TREE (Metrosideros robustd). 



This magnificent tree is found in the denser forests of 

 New Zealand, where it reaches its greatest perfection on 

 a rich soil, and with a moderate degree of moisture. In 

 such situations it very commonly attains the height of 

 80 to 100 feet, with a circumference of from 9 to 12 feet. 



It often rises with a clear stem to 30 and even 40 

 feet without a branch, and then puts out very ponderous 

 and robust arms, forming a heavy top. The leaves are 

 marginate, and of a light-green colour, i^ inch in 

 length and ^ inch in width. In December and January 

 this tree puts forth very beautiful crimson polyandrous 

 flowers, which render it conspicuous at a considerable 

 distance.* 



The Rata tree yields timber 12 to 30 inches square, 

 and 20 to 50 feet in length. The bark is ragged in 

 appearance and dark-brown in colour; the wood red 

 hard, heavy, close-grained, strong, and not difficult to 

 work. It is fit for employment in ship-building, and for 

 any work in civil architecture requiring timber of straight 

 growth and large dimensions ; the natives assert that it 

 is very durable. 



The specific gravity of the Rata, freshly cut, is about 

 1228, but when seasoned only about 786. 



THE POHUTUKAWA TREE (Metrosideros tomentosd) 

 is found only on the rocky shores and outlets of rivers 



* There are some very fine creepers growing up the stem and over the 

 tops of the tallest trees in the New Zealand forests, that are so exceedingly 

 like the Rata in wood, bark, leaf, and flower, that I could never distinguish 

 any difference between them. The natives say, with reference to the Rata 

 tree, that in some districts it sends down tendrils from its branches, which 

 take root in the ground, and assume in time the form and solidity of stems. 



