THE GUMS AND KESINS OF NEW ZEALAND. 4/5 
will be reached, and that, as in America, the oil will spring to the 
surface. However this may be, the reservoirs near the surface of the 
earth present a wide field to commercial enterprise. It is of importance 
however, that explorers, in order to avoid disappointments, and to obtain 
the best results with the least outlay possible, should allow themselves 
to be guided by pure science. It teaches that there are oil deposits from 
the Oder to the Danube, and by seeking in that line success can hardly 
fail to be obtained. 
THE GUMS AND RESINS OF NEW ZEALAND. 
The forests of New Zealand contain many trees which yield resinous 
gums suitable for various manufacturing purposes. Foremost among 
these^is the kauri pine (Dammara australis), the finest forest tree in the 
Colony, and yielding in the greatest quantity gum of commercial value. 
Although the kauri is not now found further south than Tauranga on 
the East Coast, and Kawhia on the West Coast of the North 
Island, the gum is found imbedded in the soil in various other 
parts of the Colony, and it has been dug up even so far south as 
Stewart's Island, clearly showing that at one time the kauri flourished 
all over the Colomy. The gum is also found in the coal-seams of the 
North Island. The kauri pine yields a large quantity of resinous gum, 
which at certain seasons exudes from the lower portions of the trunk, 
and from wounds caused either naturally or by the axe of the bushman. 
It is at first of almost the consistency and colour of cream, highly glutinous, 
and with a not disagreeable flavour of turpentine. It gradually hardens 
with exposure, assuming various hues, from a cloudy white, bright yellow, 
to a dark brown, and resembling amber very much in transparency and 
general appearence. When a kauri tree has been felled or cut, the place 
of severance is in a short time covered with this gum, which flows for a 
considerable time. When fresh it is often chewed by the Maoris, but 
for what purpose it is difficult to tell, as it does not possess any narcotic 
or stimulating properties, The newly exuded gum is of no commercial 
value ; that exported is gum dug up from the ground on the site of old 
forests which have been destroyed by fire many years before. It is found 
from a few inches to as many feet deep, and in localities entirely denuded 
of trees, and also in the soil at the base of living trees ; the gum in this 
case having flowed down the trunk and accumulated through many 
successive seasons. The pursuit of gum-digging is confined to the natives, 
to whom it has all the attractions that the search for gold has to 
Europeans. The natives assemble in large bodies, from various parts of 
the Colony, and work industriously at this profitable employment. 
vol. vi. 3d 
