THE MYRTLE FAMILY 281 



Metrosideros lucida, the rata of the South Island, is known 

 as the iron-wood in Otago. It grows m masses on the slopes 

 of the Southern Alps, and in a good rata year, adds much to 

 the beauty of the scenery. New Zealanders speak of the 

 Otn-a Gorge at such a time as one of the sights of the world, 

 but their patriotism has perhaps led them to overpraise it a 

 httle. Yet, when in January, the flanks of a great mountain 

 range are ablaze with 



" Flowers, that with one scarlet gleam 

 Cover a hundred leagues, and seem 

 To set the hills on fire ! ' ' 



the sight is one which many would travel far to see. In 

 Canterbury, on the eastern slopes of the Alps, this rata is rare. 

 It apparently cannot stand a dry climate. It is much more 

 common on the east coast of Otago, south of Dunedin, where 

 it frequently overhangs the sea-cliffs, though it does not root in 

 the same fantastic manner as the pohutukawa. 



In the Auckland Islands, it is the chief component of a 

 forest, as fantastic as any that was ever goblin haunted. 

 It reminds one of the sunless forest of Undine, or of the still 

 more terrible forest of the Seventh Circle of the Inferno : — 



" Where no track 

 Of steps had worn a way, not verdant there 

 The foliage, but of dusky hue, not light 

 The boughs and tapering, but with *knares deformed. 

 And matted thick : fruits there were none, but thorns 

 Instead, with venom filled." 



The rata, as its common name, ironwood, suggests, produces 

 an extremely hard timber, with qualities similar to those of 

 other members of the genus. 



Metrosideros albiflora (The White-fioiuered Bata). 



A climbing shrub. Leaves shining, 1 in. -3 in. long, narrowed at both ends. 

 Flowers in terminal cymes. Petals small, white. Stamens very slender. 

 Capsule J in. long. North Island : in forests. Fl. Dec. -Jan. 



*Knares, gnarled branches. 



