Corznso.—Botany of the North Island of New Zealand. 275 
fastigiate—or poplar-like—growth. It is much more plentiful in the north 
than it is in the south parts of the island. It is generally found in dry 
woods, and often attains to the height of 60 feet, although its diameter is 
rarely 3 feet. Its wood is beautifully variegated and mottled, reddish on a 
light-brown ground, and is used for picture frames and fancy work. It 
splits freely, and is therefore used for fence pales. 
. (8) The maire.—Two or more very distinet genera, containing several 
trees (Santalum cunninghamii and Olea sp.), are confounded under this 
native name; although the natives themselves generally distinguish them 
pretty clearly, calling the Olea maireraunui. Both were by them called 
maire, from the fact of both being hard-wooded, and formerly used by them 
for the same purposes. One of the trees (Santalum cunninghamii) is con- 
fined to the north parts, while the various species of Olea are more general 
and much more plentiful in the south parts of the island. It is highly 
doubtful whether the true northern maire (Santalum cunninghamii) is yet 
much known in the arts and manufactures. It is a small tree, belonging to 
the sandalwood family, and the species is confined to a very limited area. 
(See par. 11, § 2.) The large maire tree, or maireraunui of the aborigines, 
comprises three known species of olive (0. cunninghamii, lanceolata, and 
montana), one species being found generally throughout the island. It 
commonly forms a large tree, 60 to 70, or even 100 feet high, and 4 feet or 
more in diameter. It is very closely allied to the European olive and to the 
ironwood of Norfolk Island, all being species of the same genus. There 
are two kinds known to the manufacturer—a dark variety fit for cabinet- 
making, and a white variety fit for sheaves and cogs, and for wheelwrights’ : 
work. The dark kind has a handsome grain, and polishes well; but its 
brittleness and great weight prevent its being more generally used. ` 
(9.) The pukatea (Atherosperma nove-zealandie) is among the largest 
trees of New Zealand, sometimes reaching the height of 150 feet, and a 
clear diameter of 5 to 7 feet, besides having immensely thick buttresses at 
the base. The wood, however, is soft, and will not split, and, at present, is 
little used save in boat-building; it is highly serviceable for the bottom 
boards of boats, as in case of striking a rock only the spot so struck is 
' staved. A nail might be driven into the wood without splitting or boring. 
(10.) The tawa (JVesodaphne tawa) is a fine tree, common throughout 
New Zealand, especially in the interior, often attaining to the height of 70 
feet. Its wood is light and splits easily, and soon rots if exposed to wet ; 
notwithstanding, from its freeness of splitting, it is used for fence rails and 
for shingles in places where it abounds. 
(LL) The taraire (Nesodaphne taraire), another species of the same 
genus, but confined to the north parts of the island (See par. 11, $ 2), isa 
