On Tiinher Trees of New Zealand. 237 



assumes a conic form, is seldom more than 30 feet in 

 height, and not more than \\ feet through.) 



2. Rimu, or Bed Pine. — (Order Coniferce, Dacryditim 

 ciqjressiii'umj . Is a pine of a red-brown colour, with dark- 

 brown veins ; it has a long fibre, and frequently contains 

 resin, but does not burn well. Polishes something like a 

 coarse mahogany ; it shrinks laterally in drying. The heart 

 of it is a durable wood. From its strength and quantity it 

 is more used in carpentry than any other wood in the south 

 part of New Zealand, and is good for all descriptions of 

 carpenter's and joiner's work. 



It grows, I believe, all over New Zealand, but chiefly 

 south of latitude 39°, replacing the Kauri, which stops 

 about that latitude. It is found both on flat and hilly 

 ground, but most luxuriant on the hills. 



It averages 3 feet in diameter and 80 feet in height, growing 

 to a peak with pendulous leaves. On level spaces among 

 the hills there are groves composed almost entirely of small 

 Rimu trees, very suitable for spars, being about 2 feet in 

 diameter and 60 feet in height. 



It is about as plentiful as white pine. The leaves are 

 something like spruce fir, and hang downwards. The bark 

 is in dark rough flakes. The fruit is a red berry with a 

 black seed on the top, ripe in May. 



The specimen was taken from a large tree at Karori, 3 

 miles from Wellington, — a hilly district, about 600 feet 

 above the sea. It was cut in October, 1849. 



{Note hy W. 8. — There is, I consider, a second species, 

 which I have called the weeping pine, Dacrydiam fendidum. 

 The common Rimu, as well as the weeping species, is 

 almost exclusively confined to poor stony or clay soils, 

 which are unfit for agricultural purposes ; for not one is 

 found in the rich alluvial lands of the Hutt valley.) 



