230 On Timber Trees of Netv Zealand. 



0. Rata {Metrosideros rohusta) is much used in sliip- 

 biiilding for timbers, and by wheelwrights, on account of its 

 toughness and crooked form. It is a dark red wood, like 

 coarse mahogany, strong and tough. It grows chiefly on 

 hills, and is a parasite. The stems grow up other trees, 

 and, gradually unitiug, replace the original, and grow to a 

 great size, with ribbed trunks and crooked branches. It is 

 therefore difficult to get a plank out of it. The leaf is like 

 the myrtle leaf ; it bears a crimson flower in December. The 

 average size is about S^- feet, and 50 feet high. The speci- 

 men was taken from a 2|--feet tree, at Karori, and cut in 

 October, 1849. 



{Note ly W. S. — This is the most gigantic tree of this 

 part of New Zealand. It is not always a parasite, as I 

 often saw very large individuals with solid stems. Like 

 the Tatar a, it resists wet, and ignites rapidly.) 



7. Kohai (yellow). — A small tree; the wood brown, 

 close-grained, and very tough and hard. It is used for 

 cogs, and would, I think, be useful for all the purposes for 

 which Lignum vita is used. 



It grows near the water, in sandy soils, and among rocks, 

 and bears a little round leaflet. 



Specimen taken from the Hutt ; cut in October, 1849. 



8. Matai, or Mai. — A yellow pine, with a smooth clean 

 grain, and a uniform colour — very good for all joiner's work, 

 from its hard texture, and easy and fine working, and 

 from its not shrinking in drying, being almost the only 

 wood in New Zealand that does not. It polishes well to a 

 dark yellow, is as durable as Totara, containing the same 

 greasy matter, which makes it difficult to paint. It is much 

 used for joiner's work, but not for carpenter's work, on 

 account of its brittle grain. 



It grows best on the hills, but is also found on tbe flats. 

 It averages 2 feet in diameter and 50 feet high ; bark like that 



