440 
BOTANY. 
forest; it often attains a height of little less than two hun¬ 
dred feet, and in that respect rivals the noble kauri , but the 
general appearance is not very pleasing; it has a small top, and 
that not well covered with leaves, except when young, it then 
has a finer foliage and a pointed top like the fir tree. Swampy 
grounds are its favourite localities, and it is frequently found 
growing in water. In many parts there are forests solely of 
this tree, especially in the south. In the north, its timber is 
much softer and far more perishable than in the south, where 
it is chiefly used for building; though so soft, it is of extremely 
slow r growth. I have known young trees which have not in¬ 
creased more than one inch in height during the year. This 
tree bears a little red oval berry, with the seed stuck on the 
top. Every other year the crop is most abundant, and it is a 
fruit highly prized by the natives; it is sweet, but without 
flavour. The wood in general will not last more than tw T enty 
years, it then almost pulverises with the touch ; but if ex¬ 
posed to the air, it appears to be as durable as either the 
rirnu or kauri. The kahikatea has resin in its heart, which, 
when burnt, produces a disagreeable smell; it contains much 
saccharine matter, which is found in lumps, of a very sweet and 
bitter taste. The wood likewise has a similar quality; a gum 
also exudes from it. An infusion of the wood is highly tonic, 
and will, I have no doubt, be found valuable as a medicine 
when better known. 
Matai, mai, (dacrydium mai ,) a tree with a fine thick top 
and leaf, much resembling that of the yew. It produces a 
purple berry like a small plum, of a sweet, fragrant, though 
slimy taste. The wood is of a slightly reddish color, close 
grained, but brittle, and peculiarly fragrant when burnt. It 
is highly prized as fuel, and also much used for furniture, as 
it works up very easily, and comes next to the totara in dura¬ 
bility. The resin from this tree is very aromatic. It chiefly 
abounds in the interior, and there attains a height of about 
a hundred feet, with a diameter of four. 
Kaivaka, koaka, (dacrydium plumosum.) This tree grows 
in large quantities on the central plains ; the wood is of a very 
dark red grain, and is said to be as durable as the totara. The 
