276 Essays. 



tandsomer and still larger tree ; yet its wood, being similar in quality, is of 

 little use. 



(12.) Tlie ake, or NeAV Zealand lignum vitas {J)odoncca viscosa), is a small 

 tree or large shrub, seldom attaining a greater diameter than one foot. It 

 is found generally on dry ground tbrougbout tbe island, but is botb more 

 plentiful and larger at tbe nortli parts. Its wood is very bard and very 

 beavy, being by far tbe heaviest of all tbe New Zealand woods, is of a 

 reddish colour, and is often variegated with dart streaks, or mottled with a 

 succession of knots, giving it a peculiarly beautiful appearance. It is used 

 for sheaves, axe-handles, &c. 



(13.) The tipau or mapau {Mt/rsine australis) is a small leafy tree, 15 to 

 20 feet high, found sparingly throughout the island, but m.ore plentiful at 

 the north. Its wood resembles beech, and is used for chairmaking, car- 

 penters' tools, v/alking sticks, &c. 



(14.) The wharangi or wharangipirau (MeIico2)e ternatd) is a small tree, 12 

 to 15 feet high, generally found throughout the island. Its wood resembles 

 satinwood, and is used by the cabinetmaker for inlaying fancy work. 



(15.) The kawaka {Lthocedrus doniana) is a middle-sized hard-wooded 

 tree of the pine family. It is sparingly found, and generally at much higher 

 elevations than the larger timber trees, hence it is not much known. It is 

 confined to the north parts of the island, where it attains to a height of 

 from 30 to 40 feet or more, and from 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Its wood 

 is dark coloured, beautifully grained, close, and heavy, well suited for pic- 

 ture frames. In the lower part of its trunk the wood is said to resemble 

 the tulip-wood of New South "Wales. This tree is very closely allied to 

 the famed "alerse" {Tliuja tefragona) of south Chili and the Straits of 

 Magellan, and is believed to be a very valuable wood. 



27. There still remain to be noticed a few more indigenous vegetable 

 substances knov,'n in commerce, foremost among which as valuable exports 

 are two of world-wide fame, though peculiar to the island, viz. the New 

 Zealand flax and the kauri gum : — 



(1.) The New Zealand flax, or fibre of the FJiormium tenax and of 

 JPh. colensoi, and of their varieties (muka of the natives, the dressed 

 fibre of the harateke or flax plant), has long been too well known to require 

 any lengthened remarks here. The plants are common in every situation 

 and soil throughout the island or the New Zealand group (including also Nor- 

 folk Island), Avhere alone the FJiormium is found indigenous. (See footnote, 

 p. 256.) Some swamps or low grounds possess it as almost the only plant 

 growing continuously for miles. Formerly it was hand-dressed in large 

 quantities by the aborigines, both for home consumption among themselves 

 and for sale, and was exported very lai-gely. As an article of export it has 



