CoLENSO. — Botany of tlie North Island of Neiv Zealand. 273 



iu tlie liigher moimtainous grounds, tliey often form large forests. Tliey 

 run from 80 to 100 feet in heiglit, and, according to the species and soil, 

 from 3 to 7 feet in diameter. The wood unfortunately is not of great use 

 or value as timber, yet is sometimes used for boat-knees and for cask staves. 

 That of the black birch, however, is extensively used for fence rails in the 

 Province of "Wellington, and is said, when well dried, to make good firewood. 



(4.) The pohutukawa {Metrosideros tomentosa) is another large hard- 

 wooded tree, of diffuse ii'regular growth. Its habitat is the immediate sea 

 shore of the north parts of the island ; where, on rocky headlands and 

 cliffs, sometimes pendent, it forms a striking and picturesque object. It is 

 very robust, sometimes being 4 or even 5 feet in diameter, but the trunk 

 and branches are invariably more or less crooked. Nevertheless it is a very 

 valuable tree, especially for ship-building purposes, where its gnarled and 

 crooked character make it highly serviceable for timbers, knees, breast-hookg, 

 &c. ; it is also used for making shi|)'s blocks, and for building piles. This 

 wood presents a very handsome grain, a rich rose colour, and a high polish 

 when worked up by the cabinetmaker, and choice pieces are in great 

 demand. The area, or zone, in which this valuable tree is found being very 

 limited, its wood- will soon be exhausted unless some means are speedily 

 made use of to preserve or economize it. 



(5.) The rata {Metrosideros rohusta), a tree very closely allied generieally 

 to the pohutukawa, is one of the largest of the New Zealand forest trees, often 

 attaining a height of 120 feet, of which from 60 to 80 feet form its trunk ; 

 which is sometimes very bulky, one having been measured which was 54 

 feet in girth. Unlike the preceding, however, it is mostly found inland, at 

 a tolerably high elevation, and is pretty general throughout the island. Its 

 growth is both regular and irregular, mainly arising from situation and soil. 

 Its wood is heavy, red, close-grained, and durable, and is very valuable to 

 the wheelwright and to the ship-builder, on account of its strength and 

 toughness, owing to the peculiar twisting of its fibres ; the roots and 

 branches as well as the trunk affording excellent materials for naves, timbers, 

 and knees. It is also a handsome wood for the purposes of the cabinet- 

 maker, and will answer well for all uses where oak and beech are required. 



(6.) The aka (Metrosideros scandens), although, in bulk, a small tree or 

 climber, may also here be noticed, as it not only belongs to the same genus 

 with the two preceding, and to the same sub-section, but is also very 

 closely allied to them in its qualities and uses. This plant is generally 

 common in all woods, and may be known as a large stout climber ascending 

 to the tops of the highest trees, and often hanging like loose ropes from 

 them. Like the others of the genus already noticed, it is heavy, close- 

 grained, and tough, and is principally used for timbers for boats. 

 35 



