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the lower regions, indicate that also the northernmost neck of 
New Zealand, — which, being now entirely destitute of shelter- 
ing woods, has been changed into a sandy desert by the quick- 
sand, — was in ages past covered with woods. The first real 
Kauri forests, however, are found in the mountain-chain which, 
with the Manuga Taniwa, 2150 feet high, as its principal peak 
extends, a little South of the 35° of South latitude, from the 
West Coast to the East Coast. Already here it becomes evi- 
dent , how the Kauri loves to be near sea. While in the middle 
of the mountain-chain the woods are very heterogenous, the purer 
Kauri tracts are all situated more towards the coast in the vicinity 
of the Mongonui, and Wangaroa Harbours on the East Coast , and 
of the Hokianga river of the West Coast. Farther South, at 36° 
latitude, the Kauri forests seem to attain their most luxuriant deve- 
lopment. Most noted are the woods on the shores of the variously 
branching Kaipara Harbour on the West Coast, and along the 
Waiaroa river, which flows into the former. Here the richest 
Kauri woods are said to be found, and the trees attain the 
greatest size and height. 
From the earliest periods of European colonization in New 
Zealand, sawing-mills were established here. Not only Europeans, 
but also natives have become rich by the lumber- trade , and to 
this very day the Kaipara Harbour has remained the staple-port 
for the exportation of Kauri timber. Thence the woods extend 
as far as the vicinity of Auckland to the Waitemata Harbour on 
one side, and to Manuka u Harbour on the other. Upon the North 
shore, however, and upon the Isthmus of Auckland every trace of 
them has disappeared. The plains and Hills once covered with 
forests, are now sterile fern-heaths, where the white clay-soil is 
everywhere exposed to sight. The gum which the natives dig 
from the ground, and fragments of upturned wood-giants half 
decayed, half changed into lignite, which are found here and there 
buried beneath mounds of earth, arc the only remnants of the former 
forest. Along the West Coast, the North side of Manukau Harbour 
may be designated as the southernmost point, to which the Kauri 
