688 
BOTANY. 
when only a few inches high, and yet attains the size of a 
large timber-tree, when it ceases to flower and seed so 
freely.-— (L — ericoides . ) 
Aka, ( metrosideros buxifolia,) a climbing plant, bearing a 
beautiful red flower ; the stem is very strong and durable ; 
is used for tying up fences, and timbers of houses ; it has a 
myrtle-shaped leaf, a variety of this bears a white flower. ( — - 
perforata). — Rata ( — robusta). This also bears a bright 
red flower, and in such quantities as to give the tree the 
appearance of being a red one at a distance, the rata is 
at first a climber, it throws out feelers or tentacles, by which 
it holds on to the tree it clings to ; eventually it becomes a 
very large timber-tree, and kills the kind friend of its early 
days ; it is often seen clasping the dead trunk of its former 
supporter after it has rotted away, and become separated 
from the ground, which gives it a very singular appearance ; 
the rata becomes a noble tree ; its aerial roots then disappear 
and it overtops most of' the trees of the forest; its head 
is very thick, and leaf like the myrtle, but not so pointed, the 
timber very hard, tough, and of a dark red, and is valuable 
in ship-building and for carts. 
Pohutukaua (M — tomentosa). This is a very ornamental 
tree ; it only grows in the north end of the island, amongst 
the rocky cliffs on the sea shore ; its leaves are large, thick, 
of a greenish blue externally, and white underneath ; it is not 
found inland, except on the little islands in the central lakes ; 
the trunk is gnarled, and twisted in every direction, the 
wood is extremely hard, and of a dark red, chiefly used for 
ships and knees of boats ; it is fine fuel, and so generally 
used for this purpose, that soon this chief ornament of the 
northern shores of New Zealand will scarcely be met with, 
it is not found further south than a few miles beyond the 
Mokau. 
Rakapika ( M — * florida. M — diffusa, M — lucida, M — 
hypericifolia, M— salicifolia) , Mairetaivaka, maire, ( Eugenia 
mairej . A fine large tree; the timber is close grained and 
heavy ; it is considered very valuable for machinery, and can 
be used the same as box-wood. 
