33 
CHAPTER II. 
TREES — BIRDS — QUADRUPEDS — FISHES — INSECTS — SHELLS — 
CLIMATE — SEASONS — SOIL — MINERALS. 
Some of the trees which grow in the immense 
forests of New Zealand have been found very 
serviceable to Europeans, not only for the erec- 
tion of houses and the building of vessels, but 
also as spars for masts for the British navy. 
The staple trade of these islands must ever be 
their timber and their flax, both of which are 
articles highly valuable to the merchant and to 
the ship-owner. Many exaggerated reports have 
been circulated respecting the facility of obtaining 
spars, of sufficient magnitude to answer the pur- 
poses of the British navy. By some it has been 
said, that they may be obtained without difficulty ; 
and by others, that it is impossible to obtain 
them at all. Both of these reports are equally 
incorrect. They may be obtained ; but it can 
only be with much labour, and at great expense. 
The nature of the forests is such as to render the 
task extremely difficult and hazardous. The finest 
trees grow in the deepest ravines ; and the under- 
c 3 
