CoLENSO. — Botany of flw North Island of Neiv Zealand. 237 



axiJJaris), tlie manukarauriki {Leptosj)ermum ericoides), tlie kohuliu (Pittos- 

 porum temdfoliuni) , the kowliai, esj)eciaUy the small-leaved mountain variety 

 {Sopliora tetrajjtera var. grandiflora), the koromikotaranga (Veronica, several 

 species), the mairehau {PJiehalium modimi), the tore (Persoonia toro), the 

 pukapiika {Brachy glottis repanda), the northern maire (Santalum cunning- 

 hamii), the tawari (Ixerla bresioides), the tipau (Mgrsine iirvillei and M. 

 salicina), the tangeao (TetrantheracaJicaris), the ramarama (J/yr/zfs iidlata), 

 the ti (CordgJine australis), the kahikomaka {Pennantia corgmbosa), the pate 

 (Scheffera digitata), the horoeka (Panax crassifolia) ; and on the sea coast, 

 the karaka (Corgnocaipus Jcevigata), the karo (Pittosporiom crassifoliuni), and 

 the truly ever-green ngaio (Mgoporum IcBtwm) — fit symbol of vigorous 

 health on its barren and desolate beaches ! — while the tree-ferns are 

 universally praised for elegance of form, and wherever seen, add an 

 indescribable charm to the landscape, and draw willing homage from the 

 delighted admirer. 



7. The large virgin forests are generally composed of trees different in 

 genera and sizes. The kauri pine is always associated with other trees, yet 

 its loftiness, its colossal bulk, and peculiar growth — including a huge mound 

 of 8 to 12 feet in height around its base, composed of its own fallen 

 deciduous scales of outer bark— ever give the forest in which it grows a 

 highly characteristic appearance, so that such is truly a kauri forest. A 

 few only of our timber trees can be said to form large forests of a single 

 species, such as (on the low grounds) kahikatea or white pine (Podocarpus 

 dacrgdioides) ; this alone of all the timber trees is chiefly found growing 

 thickly together. The totara (P. totara), may also sometimes be found 

 forming clumps or groves. The tawhai or black birch (Pagus solandri) is 

 frequently, in the south parts of the island, the prevailing tree on the sides 

 of clayey hills, where it forms continuous woods. The tawa (JSfesodaplme 

 tawa), on both dry hills and low alluvial grounds, is commonly found forming 

 large forests. On high grounds in the interior, especially on the old sand- 

 stone (palaeozoic), the tawhairaunui (Fagus fusca) often grows together in 

 large forests ; and the peculiar glory of these woods is their openness and 

 freeness from underwood, so that a traveller may run through them, to the 

 great danger, however, of losing the track. And, at a much higher elevation 

 — 4,000 to 6,000 feet — on the top of the mountain ranges, grows an allied 

 species, P. cliffortioides ; and with it many small tough thick-growing 

 gnarled shrubs as underwood, which can only be passed by walking on (not 

 among) ; and which, with the prostrate and concealed rotten trees and 

 branches, sadly try the traveller's strength and patience, causing him to 

 wish he was again in the low alluvial woods by the watercourses, among the 

 supple-jacks. Polygonums, and brambles ! 



