CHAP. XXVI.] NEW ZEALAND TIMBERS. 309 



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. 



POHUTUKAWA [Metrosideros tomentosa) 



is found only on the rocky shores and outlets of rivers 

 in New Zealand. It prefers an exposed situation to any 

 other, and requires but little soil for its nourishment. 



The bark is ragged in appearance, thick, reddish- 

 grey in colour, and yields a good brown dye. The tree 

 is very hardy, attains moderate dimensions, is crooked, 

 misshapen, and branchy, with not more than 10 to 18 

 feet in length of clear stem. It has a thick foliage of 

 dark green glossy leaves of about i ^ inch in width by 

 2 inches in length, and in December puts forth quite 

 a covering of large crimson polyandrous flowers. 



The Pohutukawa tree yields timber 9 to 16 inches 

 square, and 10 to 20 feet in length. The wood is red 

 in colour, hard, strong, heavy, and close-grained. In 

 form and quality it is admirably well adapted for the 

 frames of ships, or any other purpose where curved 

 timber is required. The natives speak of it as being 

 very durable. 



Specimen logs of this compass timber were brought 

 to England in 1843, ^"^^ placed in store at Chatham 

 Dockyard, for use experimentally in ship-building, and 



