OF NEW ZEALAND. 
51 
from the top of the main stem, and put forth to 
some height before a leaf appears. The leaves 
are small, in the shape of the Box ; tufted at the 
top of the tree, forming a crown ; and, in the 
distance, appear like a cluster of palms growing 
out of one large stem, rising far above the parent 
stock by which they are supported. 
Besides the trees already mentioned, there 
are many others of the same character, differing 
but little in the nature of the wood, and in the 
purposes for which they can be used. It would 
require years to discover the nature of the 
various trees which flourish in this land ; but it 
will appear, from the short and very imperfect 
description given above, that though the Kauri 
is the monarch of the forest, and the tree most 
sought after on account of its immense size, there 
are others whose qualities for particular purposes 
excel this. The Kauri would never alone answer 
the purpose of ground-plates for a house: but 
when they are laid of Puriri, a strong and en- 
during foundation for a weather-board building is 
obtained, and the whole superstructure, with all 
the finishings, inside and outside, may be supplied 
with advantage from the mighty trunk of this 
valuable pine. It possesses also a value of which 
but few other trees can boast ; that is, the facility 
with which it can be worked^ from the first stroke 
at its roots with the axe, to the touch of the 
master carpenter, or the last finish of the ac- 
complished artist. 
D 2 
