On Timher Trees of New Zealand. 233 



ships' timbers. It is plentiful on the hills, but difficult 

 to get at. 



It is a small tree. The leaf has something the appearance 

 of the oak leaf, being of the same size and colour, and 

 serrated. 



{Note hy W. S. — I have only seen this tree in the allu- 

 vial lands of the Hutt valley, where it grows to the thickness 

 of a man's body, but often to twice the size. It is almost 

 superior to the Rata in hardness, and generally breaks the 

 axe of the woodman. If left to expand, the stem is very 

 straight, and it is then a beautiful tree.) 



16. Whaivahoy common in the low swampy parts of the 

 Hutt forest, where it is much esteemed for fencing, as its 

 split is straight and easy. Its leaf very much resembles 

 that of the olive and the Tana. — (Not having seen its flower 

 or seed, I know not its botanical character. — W. 8.) 



17. Manuka, or Tea Tree. — This is a very hard dark- 

 coloured wood, used for sheaves of blocks and such pur- 

 poses ; it is common all over New Zealand, and grows 

 either on sandy or hard clay soils ; but being generally small, 

 and hard to cut, is very little used, except for firewood and 

 axe-handles. It is a common wood among the natives for 

 spears and paddles. A small species of it covers the ground 

 like privet ; the larger species resemble the Scotch fir. The 

 leaf is very small and lanceolate. It bears a little white 

 flower like a small white thorn flower, and is very fragrant 

 when in blossom. It burns very well. The average size is 

 12 inches and 20 feet high. Specimen from Karori ; cut in 

 January, 1850. 



{Note hy W. S. — This name is indiscriminately applied 

 to all the specimens of Leptospermum, of which I have 

 discovered six in the vicinity of Port Nicholson ; some are 

 very small, whilst others grow to 40 feet high or more. 

 Other species are peculiar to Australia, where it is also called 



