33 
was generally cultivated, and that, too, was not indigenous ; viz., the 
Aute, or Paper-Mulhberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera) ; this shrub, or 
small tree, was assiduously planted, but only for the purpose of obtaining 
white fillets for the hair of the Chiefs. It has long been nearly, if not 
quite, extinct, The Harakeke, or New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax, 
and Ph, Colensot), of which there are many varieties, was sometimes 
planted, but not largely so; more to have it handy, or to secure a prized 
variety, than with a view to cultivation or to improve its fibre. The 
leaves of these valuable plants were universally used, both seraped and 
unscraped, and the fibre prepared in various ways,—by scraping, soaking, 
beating, dyeing, and twisting,—for clothing for both sexes. From it the 
Chiefs’ elegant and ornamented silky Paipairoa, and the shagey bee-butt 
looking Pake and Neeri,—with their manyintermediate kinds of clothing 
mats,—were alone manufactured, Common articles of clothing and 
war-mats of defence were also woven from the leaves of the Kiekie 
(Freycinctia Banksii), and from those of the Ti (Cordyline australis) ; 
while from the fibres of the handsome large-leaved mountain Ti, (Cordy- 
line indivisa), very strong and heavy mats for apparel, called” Toi, were 
made; which, dyed black, are still ereatly prized. A few superior 
articles of apparel were also made, by the Northern tribes, from the 
leaves of the Neinei (Dracophyllun latifolium). Of the bright yellow 
leaves of the Pingao (Desmoschenus spiralis), strong and useful folding 
girdles were woven; and from the inner bark of the Aute-taranga 
(Pimelea arenaria), small white cloth-like strips were also obtained, for 
fastening up the hair, or wearing as ornament in the ears, (2.) The timber 
trees and other plants of various degrees of utility, comprised the fol- 
lowing :—F'or canoes, the Natives from the Thames northwards erenerally 
used the Kauri (Dammara australis),and the Southern Natives theTotara 
(Podocarpus Totara), which was preferred by all; the Kahikatea (P. 
dacrydioides), was also often used for this purpose. Troughs, trays, and 
other large vessels were also made of Totara and of Mataii (P. spicata.) 
The framing’ of the principal houses was of Totara timber 3 while their 
roofs, and sometimes their sides, were often covered with its bark, 
obtained from the living tree and laid on in large slabs. The bark of 
the Manuka (Leptospermum seoparium) was also used for covering the 
rool, but is greatly inferior. The carved work of the Chief houses was 
made out of both Totara and Mataii; but for the carved figure-heads 
of their canoes the Pukatea (A therosperma Nove-Z. elandice) was generally 
used ; while the ornamental carved work of the sterns was made of 
