June 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



USEFUL PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND. 



In the Official Catalogue of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition, 

 opened at Otago, in January last, we find some interesting information 

 on the trees and plants of the Province, from which we make the fol- 

 lowing extracts. We look forward also with interest to the publication 

 of a series of special reports on the resources of the colony by the most 

 competent men, which will contribute much to our stock of knowledge. 



Drimys axillaris. — A very handsome, small tree ; whole plant aromatic 

 and stimulant ; wood very ornamental in cabinet work. This is the 

 pepper-tree of the colonists. Native name, Horo pito. 



Melicytus ramiflorus. — An angular-stemmed, ornamental tree, and 

 nourishing as food for cattle. Native name, Mahol or Hinau-ini. 



Pittosporuvx, sp. — White and black Mapau. The wood of some of 

 the trees of this genus is adapted for wood engraving. They exude a 

 gum resin, which has not been examined. 



Plagianthus Botulinas (Ribbon-wood). — The bark, which is thick and 

 fibrous, might be employed in the manufacture of ropes or paper, but 

 no quantity of it could be procured. Hoheria popuhiea and Pennantia 

 corymbosa are also called ribbon-wood. The wood of the lace-tree (Pla- 

 gianthus Lyallii) is also fibrous, and both wood and bark might be used 

 for paper-making, if the expense of procuring it were not too great. 



Coriaria ruscifolia (the Tutu) is an ornamental shrub with poisonous 

 seeds and leaves, probably on account of their containing an alkaloid 

 similar to strychnine. It has medicinal properties, and has been used 

 in epilepsy with supposed success. The whole plant is very astringent, 

 and might be used for tanning leather. Tannate of quinine prepared 

 from this plant was shown at the New Zealand Exhibition, the plant 

 containing tannic acid in large quantities. The wood, though soft, is 

 beautifully marked in the grain, and might be introduced with effect in 

 light cabinet work. 



vol. v. 3 £ 



