BuCHAiJ-AN'. — Sketch of the Botany of Otar/o. 193 



Manoiia {DacrycUum lax folium) is a very doubtful species, being difficult 

 to distinguisb from the last. 



Toatoa {Phjllocladtts alpinus). Celery-leaved Pine. A small tree, 

 common on tlie central mountains, and at Dunedin on the tops of the bills. 

 Wood beavy, very durable, but could not be got in quantity. Bark used in 

 dyeing by the Maoris. 



Totara {Podocarpus nivalis). A mountain sbrub resembling totara, of 

 no economic value. 



Beech Family. — ^Tbis is anotber ancient family of plants, baving existed 

 before tbe Brown Coal formation. Tbere are tbree species in Otago, 

 cbiefly confined to tbe western botanical region. 



Eed bircb of Otago, black bircb of Nelson, beecb, &c. {Fagus fwsca). 

 A valuable timber tree, found from tbe sea-level to 4,000 feet altitude, 

 sometimes attaining a diameter of 12 feet. Timber useful for many 

 purposes. 



Black bircb of Otago, beecb, &c. {Fagus menziesii) , [anotber valuable 

 timber tree, attaining a great size ; most] abundant on tbe central ranges 

 up to 2,000 feet. [Grood fence stuff.] 



Wbite bircb of Otago, beecb, &c. (Fagus solandri). This has tbe 

 greatest distribution of tbe tbree. Wood of young trees wbite, soft, decays 

 easily, and from baving been used in some parts of tbe island for bridges 

 and telegrapb poles, bas brougbt tbe family into bad repute. Heartwood 

 of old trees valuable. 



Mtetle Family. — Cook's tea-tree, scrub-manuka, or kabikatoa 

 {Leptospermum scojparixivi) . A very ornamental sbrub, sometimes attaining 

 a diameter of 18 incbes. Wood, red, bard, durable. 



Manuka {Leptospermum ericoides). A large tree, attaining a diameter of 

 3 feet. Wood wbite or red, in old trees nearly black in tbe 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 wbere great 

 strength and durability were required. Common at one time near Dunedin, 

 but now nearly exhausted. 



Iron-Avood (Metros ideros lucida). Wood bard, heavy, and well adapted 

 for knees in ship-building. Common in tbe western botanical region. 



Myrtles (Myrtus olcordata and. pedunculata) . Two handsome shrub-trees, 

 common near Dunedin. 



Some fine creepers of tbe Metrosideros genus are also found in tbe bush, 

 with red or [yellow] lohite flowers. 



EiBBON-wooD Family. — Eibbon-wood (Plagianthus hetulinus). A very 

 ornamental tree, especially when in flower, being covered with small white 

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