GENERAL INTRODUCTION 15 



Gone arc the forest tiMcks, where oft we rode 



Under the silver fern-fronds elimliing slow, 

 In cool, ,nTeen tunnels, thongh fierce noontide glowed 



And glittered on the tree-tops far helow. 

 There, mid the stillness of the mountain road, 



\\'e just could hear the valley river flow, 

 Whose voice through many a windless summer dav 



Haunted the silent woods, now passed awav. 



Drinking fresh odours, spicy wafts that blew, 



We watched the glassy, quivering air asleep, 

 Midway between tall cliffs that taller grew 



Above the unseen torrent calling deep : 

 Till, like a sword, cleaving the foliage through. 



The waterfall flashed foaming down the stwp ; 

 White, li%dng water, cooling with its spray 



Dense plumes of fragile fern, now scorched a«:[y. 



Keen is the axe, the forest fire streams bright. 



Clear, beautiful, and fierce, it speeds for man 

 The Jlaster, set to change and stern to smite. 



Bronzed pioneer of nations ! — Ay, but scan 

 The ruined wonder wasted in a night. 



The ravaged beauty God alone could plan. 

 And builds not twice ! A bitter price to pay 



Is this for progress, — beauty swept away ! 



Types of Forest. 



Tliougii the Ijusli is generall)' of mixed type, yet, in certain 

 districts, particular species predominate to the more or less 

 complete exclusion of others. The Oxford and Alford Forests 

 consist almost entirely of Nothofagiis Sohnidrl. NutJiqfagiis 

 Cliffortioid/'s often forms the sole species in mountain districts. 

 In the North of Auckland the kauri is found in groves, and 

 sometimes even in forests. There are large areas m the east- 

 central portion of the North Island, in whicli the totara is the 

 prevailing tree. Throughout the lowdand forests of the South 

 Island the rimu is plentiful, Init the suh-alpine forests of the 



