CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
NEW ZEALAND TREES—(Continued). 
THE KAHIKATEA OR KAKATERRA TREE (Dacrydium 
excelsium or Dacrydium taxifoliun). 
THIS majestic and noble-looking tree belongs to the 
natural order of TYaxacce, more commonly known by 
the name of Joint Firs. It is a native chiefly of the 
temperate zone, and found abundantly in the close and 
dense forests of New Zealand, occupying many of 
the deep ravines, and generally preferring shelter and a 
low-lying moist situation to bring it to the greatest 
perfection. 
It is of straight and lofty growth, frequently attaining 
a height of 150 to 180 feet, with a circumference of 6 to 
15 feet. It is not an uncommon thing to meet with 
trees of this description, rising 60 feet and upwards in 
the stem, without a branch, and from thence to see them 
spreading out obliquely and forming a splendid conical 
top. The bark is dark brown in colour, rough, in strips, 
and also scaly; the lower portion of the stem being 
generally covered with moss. 
The leaves are short, dark-green in colour, narrow, 
rigid and erect, bristling evenly all round the branchlets. 
The fruit is a red berry, which the natives are very fond 
