192 Essays. 



popular grouping lias been, in general, correct, althougli in some cases, sucL. 

 as the ribbon-woods, plants of different genera are included in one group. 

 Tbe method will be adopted here as likely to make the description of species 

 more interesting. 



Pine Family. — Among the numerous surface changes of the past, this 

 family has had representatives as far back as Miocene times, fossil impres- 

 sions of Araucaria and Dammara, leaves and branches being found in that 

 formation at Shag Point, showing that Otago had at that period forests of 

 pines the species of Avhich are now extinct. Ten species of pine, and a 

 few varieties, are found in the province at the present day. 



The most valuable for sawn timber are black pine, or matai {Podo- 

 carpus spicata), having red, hard, durable wood. A variety of this is found 

 on the West Coast, with large fern-like branches, and large dark green 

 leaves, the whole plant having a black appearance. 



Black rue pine, or miro {Podocarpus ferruginea), a tree similar in size 

 and form to the last. Wood white, tough, not so hard or durable in wet 

 places as matai. 



Totara {Podocarpus totarci), a most valuable timber tree, being very 

 durable and easily worked. A variety of this is often found over the 

 province, especially on the "West Coast, with short obtuse leaves. 



E-ed pine, or rimu (JDacrydium aipressimi,m) , another valuable building 

 timber, found abundant everywhere. A variety is found on the West 'Coast, 

 with long, drooping, pale-coloured foliage, white wood, and whitish bark. 

 Another very distinct variety, if not a species, is also found there, with erect 

 bright green foliage and close-grained heavy timber. 

 , The pines of less value for building purposes are, — 



Cedar (Libocedrus [doniana] iidwillii), a handsome conical tree, with 

 reddish wood, fit only for inside work. 



White pine, or kahikatea (Podocarpus dacrydioides). This ii^ a straight, 

 narrow, sometimes conical tree, growing on wet flats ; wood of little value. 

 The male or barren tree has distichou's leaves, while the female tree, bearing 

 bright red berries, has imbricate leaves. 



A large, round-headed tree, also called white pine in Otago and silver 

 pine in JSTelson, is not uncommon near Dunedin. It is probable that the 

 male and female plants differ in their leaves, similarly to the kahikatea. The 

 timber is valuable for boat-building. This plant is more like a Dacrydimn 

 than a Podocarpus. Plowers and fruit not seen. 



Manoua (Dacrydmm coJensoi). A small tree, found at an altitude of 

 1,000 to 2j000 feet at Bunedin, and at the sea-level on the West Coast. 

 Leaves of two kinds^ spreading and imbricate. Wood close-grained and 

 durable, but could not be found in any quantity. 



