39 
tion of the bark and stems of the Pikiarero (Clematis hexasepala), and 
the root of the Tatarahake ( Coproama acerosa.) 
24. Touching the (Economic Botany of the present time — or sera of 
New Zealand Colonization—not a little has been already done by the early 
Settlers to show the uses, qualities, .and values of many of the Timbers, 
and other vegetable substances, of the North Island of New Zealand. 
Indeed, several of her Botanical productions are better known in the old 
world than those of much older Colonies. In now considering these, it 
is purposed to do so, more with reference to their utility, ike., than to 
their Botanical sequence or arrangement. Consequently, the principal 
timber trees will be first noticed. 
(i.) The Chief timber-producing trees, — i.e., those which are usually 
sawn into boards for common purposes,—are seven in number; all 
being Botanically classed under the natural family, Conform\ although 
really possessing among* them only one true Pine. This is the far- 
famed and justly celebrated Kauri, (Dammam australis,) the largest 
and most useful of all the New Zealand timber trees. This stately tree 
grows commonly to the height of 140—150 feet, a few reach to 170, or 
even 200 feet. In general it has a clean trunk fifty to sixty feet in 
height, before reaching the branches, (which are euormously large, and 
diverge around the stem from one spot,) — with a barrel of eight or nine 
feet, tapering gradually to five or six feet The largest clean and per¬ 
fect barrel seen by the writer was twelve feet in diameter; and the 
largest spar recorded, was cut at the Hokianga River in 1839, it mea¬ 
sured 10(3 feet in length, without a knot, and was two feet square at the 
smaller end. In a Kauri forest the spar trees are in proportion as one 
to four, or five, to the trees fit for sawing. Of this timber there are 
three varieties known in the market, — the white, the red, and the mot¬ 
tled, (the last being rather scarce,) which are not Botanically distinct 
The light-coloured wood has the straightest grain, and is said to be less 
brittle when dry, and easier to work; the darker kind will admit of a 
good polish, and is a handsomer wood than the former, but it is only the 
mottled variety that can be considered a fancy wood; this kind some¬ 
times resembles bird’s-eye maple, or knotted oak, and makes really 
handsome picture-frames, and pannelling, and takes a good polish. The 
colour of the varieties of Kauri wood, varies from a light straw to a 
reddish light-brown; fancy pieces may often be met with delicately 
marked and variegated, with a wavy flowing appearance, which also 
take a beautiful polish. Its detriment, however, as a wood, is its great 
