310 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES.  [cuar. 
THE RATA TREE (Metrosideros robusta). 
This magnificent tree is found in the denser forests of 
New Zealand, where it reaches its greatest perfection on 
a rich soil, and with a moderate degree of moisture. In 
such situations it very commonly attains the height of 
80 to 100 feet, with a circumference of from 9 to 12 feet. 
It often rises with a clear stem to 30 and even 40 
feet without a branch, and then puts out very ponderous 
and robust arms, forming a heavy top. The leaves are 
marginate, and of a light-green colour, 134 inch in 
length and % inch in width. In December and January 
this tree puts forth very beautiful crimson polyandrous 
flowers, which render it conspicuous at a considerable 
distance.* 
The Rata tree yields timber 12 to 30 inches square, 
and 20 to 50 feet in length. The bark is ragged in 
appearance and dark-brown in colour; the wood red,. 
hard, heavy, close-grained, strong, and not difficult to 
work. It is fit for employment in ship-building, and for 
any work in civil architecture requiring timber of straight 
growth and large dimensions ; the natives assert that it 
is very durable. 
The specific gravity of the Rata, freshly cut, is about 
1228, but when seasoned only about 786. 
THE POHUTUKAWA TREE (Metrosideros tomcntosa) 
is found only on the rocky shores and outlets of rivers 
* There are some very fine creepers growing up the stem and over the 
tops of the tallest trees in the New Zealand forests, that are so exceedingly 
like the Rata in wood, bark, leaf, and flower, that I could never distinguish 
any difference between them. The natives say, with reference to the Rata 
tree, that in some districts it sends down tendrils from its branches, which 
take root in the ground, and assume in time the form and solidity of stems. 
