NO 



PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



The fruit is of a vivid red when vipe, appearing hke a huge 

 bunch of coral. The berries are about the size of a large pea, 

 and are extremely hard. They have been used by settlers for 

 bird-shooting when ammunition was scarce. Though so hard, 

 however, they are much relished by the kakas or wild parrots. 

 These birds, unal)le to find foothold upon the smooth stem of 

 the palm, hang upside down, with one claw fixed on the base 

 of a leaf, and thus eiijoy their meal. 



Fig. 17. Flower of the Nikau. IViopalOfit!/Us sni)ida. (} nat. .size). 



The leaf-strips are much used by the Maoris for weaving 

 into baskets and kits of every description. 



The bark is ringed with cicatrices formed by the falling off 

 of the dead leaves. The base of a fallen leaf, with the fan-like 

 part torn oli', makes an excellent basket for carr\ing flowers. 



A curious six-headed specimen of the nikau, about forty 

 feet high, was discovered not long ago in the Kaipara. 

 (Fi"-. 19). 



