Bucnanan.—sShetch of the Botany of Otago. 193 
Manoua (Dacrydium laxifolium) is a very doubtful species, being difficult 
to distinguish from the last. 
Toatoa (Phyllocladus alpinus). ^ Celery-leaved Pine. A small tree, 
eommon on the central mountains, and at Dunedin on the tops of the hills. 
Wood heavy, very durable, but could not be got in quantity. Bark used in 
dyeing by the Maoris. 
Totara (Podocarpus nivalis). A mountain shrub resembling totara, of 
no economic value. ' 
Brecu Famrny.—This is another ancient family of plants, having existed 
before the Brown Coal formation. There are three species in Otago, 
chiefly confined to the western botanical region. 
Red birch of Otago, black birch of Nelson, beech, &e. (Fagus fusca). 
A valuable timber tree, found from the sea-level to 4,000 feet altitude, 
sometimes attaining a diameter of 12 feet. Timber useful for many 
purposes. 
Black birch of Otago, beech, &e. (Fagus menziesii), [another valuable 
timber tree, attaining a great size; most] abundant on the central ranges 
up to 2,000 feet. [Good fence stuff.] 
White birch of Otago, beech, Xe. (ane solandri). This has the 
greatest distribution of the three. Wood of young trees white, soft, decays 
easily, and from having been used in some parts of the island for bridges 
and telegraph poles, has brought the family into bad repute. Heartwood 
of old trees valuable. 
Myrtte Famy. — Cook's tea-tree, scrub-manuka, or kahikatoa 
(Leptospermum scoparium). A very ornamental shrub, sometimes attaining 
a diameter of 18 inches. Wood, red, hard, durable. 
Manuka (Leptospermum ericoides). , A large tree, attaining a diameter of 
3 feet. Wood white or red, in old trees nearly black in the centre, some- 
times variegated. It is generally used as firewood, piles, and fence stuff, but 
from its great breaking power would be well adapted in building where great | 
strength and durability were required. Common at one time near Dunedin, 
but now nearly exhausted. 
Iron-wood (Metrosideros lucida). Wood hard, heavy, and well adapted 
for knees in ship-building. Common in the western botanical region. 
Myrtles (Myrtus obcordata and pedunculata). Two handsome shrub-trees, 
common near Dunedin. 
Some fine creepers of the Metrosideros genus are also found in the bush, 
with red or [yellow] white flowers. 
Rissow-woop Faurry.—hibbon-wood (Plagianthus betulinus). A very 
ornamental tree, especially when in flower, being covered with small white 
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