276 Essays. 
handsomer and still larger tree ; yet its wood, being similar in quality, is of 
little use. 
(12.) The ake, or New Zealand lignum vitæ (Dodonea viscosa), is a small 
tree or large shrub, seldom attaining a greater diameter than one foot. It 
is found generally on dry ground throughout the island, but is both more 
plentiful and larger at the north parts. Its wood is very hard and very 
heavy, being by far the heaviest of all the New Zealand woods, is of a 
reddish colour, and is often variegated with dark streaks, or mottled with a 
succession of knots, giving it a peculiarly beautiful appearance. It is used 
for sheaves, axe-handles, &c. ^ 
(13.) The tipau or mapau (Myrsine australis) is a small leafy tree, 15 to 
20 feet high, found sparingly throughout the island, but more plentiful at. 
the north. Its wood resembles beech, and is used for chairmaking, car- 
penters' tools, walking sticks, &c. 
(14.) The wharangi or wharangipirau (Melicope ternata) is a small tree, 12 
to 15 feet high, generally found throughout the island. Its wood resembles 
satinwood, and is used by the cabinetmaker for inlaying fancy work. 
(15.) The kawaka (Libocedrus doniana) is a middle-sized hard-wooded 
tree of the pine family. It is sparingly found, and generally at much higher 
elevations than the larger timber trees, hence it is not much known. It is 
confined to the north parts of the island, where it attains to a height of 
from 30 to 40 feet or more, and from 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Its wood 
is dark coloured, beautifully grained, close, and heavy, well suited for pic- 
ture frames. In the lower part of its trunk the wood is said to resemble 
the tulip-wood of New South Wales. This tree is very closely allied to 
the famed “alerse” (Thuja tetragona) of south Chili and the Straits of 
Magellan, and is believed to be a very valuable wood. 
27. There still remain to be noticed a few more indigenous vegetable 
substances known in commerce, foremost among which as valuable exports 
are two of world-wide fame, though peeuliar to the island, viz. the New 
Zealand flax and the kauri gum :— 
(1L) The New Zealand flax, or fibre of the Phormium tenax and of 
Ph. colensoi, and of their varieties (muka of the natives, the dressed 
fibre of the harakeke or flax plant), has long been too well known to require 
any lengthened remarks here. The plants are common in every situation 
and soil throughout the island or the New Zealand group (including also Nor- 
folk Island), where alone the Phormium is found indigenous. (See footnote, 
p.256.) Some swamps or low grounds possess it as almost the only plant 
growing continuously for miles. Formerly it was hand-dressed in large 
quantities by the aborigines, both for home consumption among themselves 
. and for sale, and was exported very largely. As an article of export it has 
