xxxvii.J MIRO. 401 



MIRO OR " BLACK PINE " {Podocarpus ferrugined) 



is found in slightly elevated situations in many of the 

 forests of New Zealand ; it prefers shelter and a damp, 

 although not an excessively moist soil, to bring it to per- 

 fection. It is of straight growth, and reaches the height 

 of about 60 feet, with a circumference of 5 feet. The 

 stem is clean, and rises to 30 or 35 feet clear of branches, 

 above which they are thrown out nearly horizontally. 

 The foliage is dark-green, very thick, and the leaves are 

 about ^th of an inch in width, and i inch in length ; 

 the fruit is a red berry with a hard stone ; it is a favourite 

 food of the wood-pigeon. 



The wood varies from light to dark brown in colour, 

 is close in grain, moderately hard and heavy, planes up 

 well, and takes a good polish. Some logs are nicely 

 figured ; it is, therefore, very suitable for cabinet-makers' 

 work, &c. It would also be useful to the turner, and for 

 any ornamental work, and as it yields timber 10 to 18 

 inches square, and 20 to 30 feet in length, it would, no 

 doubt, be fit for civil architecture. 



The specific gravity of Miro in a green state is 12 14, 

 but, when seasoned, varies from 660 to 752. 



TOTARA {Podocarpus totard) 



is of erect and straight growth, and attains the height of 

 about 80 to 90 feet, with a circumference of 6 feet. It 

 is tolerably abundant, and is found in many of the forests 

 of the northern island of New Zealand. It is often met 

 with upon the banks of rivers, where the tide washes 

 its roots ; but, generally, it seems to require shelter 

 and a moderately moist soil to produce the finest 

 trees. 



2 D 



