CoLT:iirso. — Botany of ihe J^orfli Island of New Zealand. 275 



fastigiate — or poplar-like — growth. It is mucli more plentiful iu the north 

 than it is in the south parts o£ the island. It is generally found in dry- 

 woods, and often attains to the height of 60 feet, although its diameter is 

 rarely 3 feet. Its wood is beautifully variegated and mottled, reddish on a 

 light-brown ground, and is used for picture frames and fancy work. It 

 splits freely, and is therefore used for fence pales. 



(8.) The maire. — Two or more very distinct genera, containing several 

 trees {Santalum cunningltamii and Olea sp.), are confounded under this 

 native name ; although the natives themselves generally distinguish them 

 pretty clearly, calling the Olea maireraunui. Both were by them called 

 maire, from the fact of both being hard-wooded, and formerly used by them 

 for the same purposes. One of the trees (Santalum cunningliamii) is con- 

 fined to the north parts, while the various species of Olea are more general 

 and much more plentiful in the south parts of the island. It is highly 

 doubtful whether the true northern maire {Santalum cunninghamii) is yet 

 much known in the arts and manufactures. It is a small tree, belonging to 

 the sandalwood family, and the species is confined to a very limited area. 

 (See par. 11, § 2.) The large maire tree, or maireraunui of the aborigines, 

 comprises three known species of olive (0. cicnninghainii, lanceolata, and 

 montana), one species being found generally throughout the inland. It 

 commonly forms a large tree, 60 to 70, or even 100 feet high, and 4 feet or 

 more in diameter. It is very closely allied to the European olive and to the 

 ironwood of Norfolk Island, all being species of the same genus. There 

 are two kinds known to the manufacturer — a dark variety fit for cabinet- 

 making, and a white variety fit for sheaves and cogs, and for wheehvrights' 

 work. The dark kind has a handsome grain, and polishes well ; but its 

 brittleness and great weight prevent its being more generally used. 



(9.) The pukatea {Atherosperma novce-zealandics) is among the largest 

 trees of New Zealand, sometimes reaching the height of 150 feet, and a 

 clear diameter of 5 to 7 feet, besides having immensely thick buttresses at 

 the base. The wood, however, is soft, and will not split, and, at present, is 

 little used save in boat-building; it is highly serviceable for the bottom 

 boards of boats, as in case of striking a rock only the spot so struck is 

 staved. A nail might be driven into the wood without splitting or boring. 



(10.) The tawa {Nesodaphne tawd) is a fine tree, common throughout 

 New Zealand, especially in the interior, often attaining to the height of 70 

 feet. Its wood is light and splits easily, and soon rots if exposed to wet ; 

 notwithstanding, from its freeness of splitting, it is used for fence rails and 

 for shingles in places where it abounds. 



(11.) The taraire {Nesodaphie taraire), another species of the same 

 genus, but confined to the north parts of the island (See par. 11, § 2), is a 



