. Akmsteong. — On the Flora of the Province of Canterbury. 327 



tropical warmth of the deep ravines. Towering stems of tree-ferns, clothed 

 with lovely mosses and Hymeno2}hyUums, were to be seen raising their noble 

 heads above the smaller trees and shrubs, whilst numerous hanes belonging 

 to various species of Clematis, Rubus, Passifiora, Parsonsia, Ehipogonum, and 

 MiMenbeckia hung fi-om one tree to another, connecting these giants of the 

 forest together. Nearly all the trees of the peninsula are evergreen in 

 character, indeed the only deciduous ones I know of are Plagianthus 

 betulimcs or ribbonwood, and the konini, Fuchsia excorticata. 



This constant evergreen character of our New Zealand vegetation is by 

 most travellers described as sombre and gloomy, but I think that those who 

 look deeper than the sm-face will find most beautiful features in many of 

 the trees and shru.bs composing this so-called sombre forest. 



The forest is composed of a remarkably large number of trees and 

 shrubs belonging to genera of the most varied character and relationship. 

 It is this mixed character which gives the peculiar charm to the New Zea- 

 land flora in the eyes of a professional collector. The principal timber- 

 trees of the forest on Banks' Peninsula are : — 



1. The totara, Podocarpus totara, a fine stout-stemmed tree of the 

 natural order ConifercB, producing a reddish coloured wood, well known to 

 all settlers ; and which is now proved to be more durable than any other 

 New Zealand timber, and to stand better in salt water than any other 

 timber yet tried for that purpose. 



The totara was formerly abundant over the whole of the peninsula, 

 but is now becoming scarce and more difficult to obtain. It thrives very 

 well under cultivation, but takes a long time to mature its wood and for 

 this reason it will not be much planted. 



2. The black pine or matai, Podocarpus spicata, another tree of the 

 same family as the last, is still common on many of the spurs in the in- 

 terior of the peninsula ; though a useful tree it is in every way inferior to 

 the totara. 



3. The white pine, Podocarpus dacrydioides, is not so common on 

 Banks Peninsula as in some parts of the colony. This tree produces a 

 well-known white wood, not dm'able, but easily worked and excellent when 

 used for inside work. The white pine likes a moist soil, and consequently 

 does not attain any great height on the slopes of the peninsula hills. It is 

 very difficult to cultivate, and is a very slow grower while young, but seems 

 to grow much faster as it gets older. 



4. The miro, Podocarpus ferruginea, is a much smaller tree than either of 

 those just mentioned, and the wood is generally considered to be of inferior 

 quality, though several instances have come under my observation where 

 this wood has stood for several years in exposed situations without showing 



