TREES 
50 
is, the outer skin of the bark) for the purpose of 
dyeing the black threads of their garments. It 
only requires to be pounded and thrown into 
water, and the article to be dyed immersed in the 
infusion : of course, according to the strength is 
the deepness of the colour. The leaf of this tree 
is spiral, and of a bright green ; and the bark, 
rough-looking and unsightly. 
Matai (Taxus MataV ) — a plant with a small 
yew-tree leaf, a strong smell, and a rough bark. 
Its wood is peculiarly coloured, being a mixture 
of red and white, forming a few shades deeper 
than the grain of the Kauri. Its habits are rather 
robust : it prefers a rich alluvial soil ; grows to a 
height of fifty feet ; and measures in diameter 
from three to five feet. The wood is considered 
durable, and has the advantage of being easily 
worked : it is not however, as yet, much known. 
Rata (Genus unknown) — This is a fine and use- 
ful tree, producing a heavy, close-grained, durable 
red wood, capable of being turned to almost any 
purpose of household work ; and valuable to the 
ship-builder, as he may find its branches curved 
to his hand, and requiring but little of the labour 
of the axe to form it to his purpose. It is found 
in perfection, of all sizes and heights, from twenty 
to seventy feet high, and from eighteen inches to 
seven feet in diameter. It prefers a dry stony 
soil, and varies in the pleasantness of its appear- 
ance, according to the regular or irregular 
shape of its trunk. Its branches generally shoot 
