692 
BOTANY, 
tine ; the fruit has a fine purple bloom, and looks like a large 
plum ; the wood is only used as fuel. 
Tawa ( Laurus Tawa), a noble looking tree, forming forests 
in several parts of the south, an exception to the general 
character of the New Zealand forest, which is composed of all 
kinds of trees intermingled. The tawa has a small narrow 
leaf, and bears a purple plum-shaped fruit, not bad eating ; 
the kernel when cooked is also eaten ; the tree attains a great 
size, but the wood is only used as fuel, as it soon takes the 
worm : it is very white and light; the inner bark is sweet, 
and infused, makes a very nice beverage for the traveller 
when his tea is finished, as it does not require sugar. Tangeo, 
(L — calicaris.) 
Fam. Atherospermacece. — Pukatea , ( laurelia Novce Zeal :) a 
large timber tree, but very perishable, it decays in a single 
year; its roots are remarkably prominent, like the Austra- 
lian fig tree ; the wood is spongy, but tough ; it is more 
durable in water. 
Fam. Polygonaceos. — Puk a, polygonum Australe , the willow 
plant. 
Heruna, ( — adpressum ,) pohuehue , ( — complexum,) tutuna- 
hua , ( — prostratum , rumex crispus, — brunonianus.) 
Fam. Chenopodiacece. — Poipapa , ( chenopodium triandrum , 
— botrys , — glaucum , — maritimum, — fruticosum , salicornia 
indica.) 
Fam. AmaranthacecE. — Peronychicce . — Nahui, ( alternan - 
theta denticulata,) kohukohu , {miniarum biflorum. 
Fam. Plantaginece. — Kopakopa , (plantago major.) This 
plantain closely resembles the European, but is indigenous 
and a valuable medicinal herb, well known to the natives. 
Plantago varia , a narrow downy plant, leaf long and of a 
brownish color. 
Fam. Salviaceoe. — Salvia koru. This beautiful plant is only 
found in the vicinity of the North Cape, it bears a large blue 
and white flower. 
Fam. Primulacew. — (. Anagallis arvensis, samolus littoralis.) 
The Fam. Fagus. — Tawai betula nigra , has perhaps two 
representatives, which attain a great height and diameter; 
