BOTANY. 
677 
Kauri resin, if put into strong rectified spirits of ether in a 
pulverised state, is immediately taken up ; with the spirit of 
turpentine at 270°, a clear yellow-tinged solution is obtained ; 
it dissolves pretty well with linseed oil if boiled. Kauri resin 
has been sold from £80 to £100 per ton ; some of it is found 
quite soft and plastic, from its containing a larger quantity of 
turpentine ; the fresh resin is chewed by the natives ; the sap 
of this tree is the thickest on the shaded side, which fronts 
the south ; it is there frequently seven inches through ; the 
timber is very close grained, and durable ; it is highly prized 
for spars ; the bark is clear of climbing plants, which generally 
abound on most trees of the forest ; its roots form a kind of 
net- work on the surface of the ground. The timber of the 
kauri is now much prized in China, as it is found to be exempt 
from the attack of the Teredo navalis. 
Fam. Taxacece. — Toatoa (podocarpus asplenifolius) . This 
tree chiefly grows on the table-ground, in the interior of the 
south part of the island, where it is found in large clumps ; 
it does not attain any great size ; the bark is used as a brown 
dye. 
Tanekaha , tawaiwai . — ( Phyllocladus trichomanoides) . This 
beautiful tree is found on the sides of hills ; its general height 
is seldom more than fifty feet; the bark is plain, light colored, 
and ringed every six inches, forming distinct lines up to the 
branches of the tree ; the leaves are parsley-shaped, which 
chiefly distinguishes it from the toatoa , which are flat and 
oval ; the wood is very similar to that of the cypress, it 
is lighter and closer grained than the kauri , and very frag- 
rant ; it is also more durable when exposed to wet ; the bark 
is much used to form a black and brown dye ; the tree is 
rarely found in the south, but in the north is very abundant. 
Miro (podocarpus ferrugineaj . This tree bears a rather 
large and flattened fruit, of a bright red color, and very aro- 
matic flavor, which imparts an agreeable taste to the pigeon 
when it is in season, it closely resembles the yew in its leaf ; 
the wood is close grained and durable ; it does not attain 
productive in those trees which grow in or near marshes. — See Me Culloch , 
page 1271, under the head of Tar. 
