NEW ZEALAND BLACK PINE 



as though "thumbed": covered with small papillae : separating 

 in thin friable scales. " Like Kahikatea but smoother " (24). 



Uses, etc. "Of great strength but not durable in con- 

 tact with the ground : useful, durable and strong under 

 cover, . . . timber to 90 ft. long by 3 ft. in diam. . . . 

 less easily worked than Kauri or Rimu, . . . piles, resists the 

 teredo " (91). " Some of the logs are nicely figured, . . . very 

 suitable for cabinet-makers' work, turnery, etc., . . . would no 

 doubt be fit for civil architecture" (60). "Like Elm, short- 

 grained, knotty, durable but not plentiful nor much used (in 

 N.Z.)"(2 4 ). 



Authorities. Collinson (24). Perceval (91), pp. 14 and 50. 

 Laslett (60), p. 401. Boulger (12), p. 480. Kew Guide (57), 

 p. 79. 



Colour. Heart-wood uniform cinnamon-brown, irregular in 

 contour : not well defined from the light brown sap-wood. " Dark 

 and irregularly shaped " (91). "Light to dark brown" (60). 



Anatomical Characters. As those of Podocarpus dacrydioides 

 No. 219 with the following differences : — Rings distinct. Rays 

 rarely visible in Transverse section though very fine, visible, 

 brown lines in Radial section : they need the lens in Tangential 

 section and do not often exceed o - i mm. high. 



Type specimen authenticated by the Forest Officer to the 

 Government of New Zealand. 



No. 221. NEW ZEALAND BLACK PINE. Podo- 

 carpus spicata. R. Br. (not Poepp. and Endl.) 

 Plate XVI. Fig. 140. 



Natural Order. Coniferae. 



Source of Supply. New Zealand only. 



Alternative Names. Matai : Mai (24). 



Physical Characters, etc. Recorded dry-weight 35-49J lbs. 

 per cu. ft. Hardness Grade 7, compare English Beech. Smell 

 faint, something like hay. Taste astringent. Burns well with a 

 long, quiet, not very smoky flame and a slightly tarry smell : 

 embers glow in still air. Solution faint brownish turning slightly 

 greenish upon the addition of potash. 



Grain. Very fine, compact and even. Surface bright. 

 " Smooth and silky " (91). 



Bark. Deep red, about J inch thick, one layer, smooth, 

 leathery, wrinkled and covered with minute papillae, not fissured. 

 " Like that of Kahikatea " (24). 



Uses, etc. " Very good for all joiners' work, easy and fine 

 working, . . . does not shrink in drying, being almost the only 

 wood of N. Z. that does not ? . . . greasy, brittle, . . . timber 



251 



