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natives, grass- or cabbage-tree of the colonists ( Cordyline australis ), 
which is principally met with upon fern land and in swamps. The 
fibre of its leaf is very much like the phormium-fibre; it is only 
more yellow and has neither the gloss nor the tenacity of the flax- 
fibre; but it is prized very highly by the natives for its durability. 
It is said to resist the decomposing action of the atmosphere far better 
than Phormium. A little coarser than the Ti fibre is the fibre of a 
second species of Cordyline (perhaps C. indivisa ) with larger, broader 
leaves, which the natives call Kapu or Ti Kapu; its fibre is said to 
be especially suited for making cables, because it does not contract 
in the water as much as Phormium. Similar is the fibre of a third 
species, Turuki of the natives (Cordyline strict a] , which grows in 
the bush. Mr. Probert has exhibited in London a liana Pikiarero 
(a species of Clematis ) which is said to contain a fine silky fibre. 
Appendix. 
A. A list of some of the vegetable productions of New Zea- 
land, available as food for man (extracted from A Leaf from the 
Natural History of New Zealand by Rich. Taylor, Wellington 1848). 
Dicotyledones : 
Hinau, Elceocarpus hinau, a large timber tree, producing a berry with 
a hard stone. The berry is edible, but unless prepared it has a very 
harsh taste. 
Rimu (Dacridium), Matai, Miro, Kahikatea (Species of Podocarpus') be- 
long to the Conifer® and produce small fruits, which are much prised 
by the natives. 
Karaka, Tawa, Kohekohe, Taraire, belonging to the Laurincai also pro- 
duce eatable fruits. 
Rengarenga (Tetragonia expansd) New Zeal. Spinach; it was first brought 
into notice by Captain Cook, who found it useful as an antiscorbutic; 
the natives use it as foot. 
Panapana, Hanea, Nau (Cardamine) , New Zeal, cress. 
Retired, Tutaekahu ( Oxalis ), is a wholesome vegetable when boiled. 
Kawa Kawa ( Piper excelsus); the fruit is similar in shape and taste, 
