ot 
Mataii, or Totara. The Titoki (Alectryon excelsum) furnished handles 
for light axes ; and sometimes the Kowhai (“dwardsia grandiflora) was 
used, particularly for the heavier ones. The Ake (Dodonea viscosa), 
and the Maire,* (Suntalum Cunningham at the North, and Olea sp. at 
the South,) supplied hardwood for war implements, and for carved 
walking-staves; and of another hard wood, Manuka (Leptospermum 
scoparium), husbandry implements, canoe paddles, and spears for war 
and taking fish were made. Long war-spears were also made of Rimu 
(Dacrydinum cupressinum) ; but the very long bird-spears (80-36 feet)— 
were made of Tawa (Vesodaphne Tawa): the working of which out of — 
a large tree with only their stone implements, obtaining, as they did, 
but two spears from a single tree, was indeed a most patient and admi- 
rable performance, often taking two years for its completion! The 
hard-wooded Maire-tawhake, (Hugenia Maire,) was also prized, and 
used by the Northern tribes (among whom alone it grew) for husbandry 
implements. The channelled stems of the Neinei (/racophyllum lati- 
folium), and the red young saplings of Toatoa, or Tanekaha (Phyllo- 
cladus trichomanoides), made valued walking-sticks. The long straight 
young trees of Manuka, and of Tawa, were used for battens for the sides 
and roofs of their houses ; stems of the Kareao (iipogonum parvifiorum) 
and also Kakaho reeds (Arwndo conspicua), and slips of Totara timber, 
were often used for the same purpose, ‘The creepers, Aka, (Jfetrosideros 
scandens,) and Kareao or Pirita, (Rhipogonum parviflorum,) were ex- 
tensively used for tying up fences, platforms, and the heavy frame-work 
of houses. Sometimes other creepers (Passiflora tetrandra, and Par- 
sonsia, sp.), were used, but not commonly ; and, among the Northern 
tribes, the creeping fern Mangemange, (Lygodium articulatum,) 
was generally used to bind the outward thatch securely on the 
roof of their houses. The Raupo, or large Bulrush (7'ypha angustifolia) 
was universally used to cover the frame-work of their houses; the outer 
thatch being Toetoe, (Cyperus ustulatus), or Rautahi (Carex ternaria,) 
or Ririwaka (Scirpus maritimus), or of two kinds of Wiwi, or Ruslies 
(Juncus maritimus, and effusys) ; sometimes, however, a hard- 
jointed rush, (Leptocarpus simplex,) was advantageously used ; 
being by far the best of all the Rushes or Sedges for thatching, on 
account of its durability, The leaves of the Ti, or “ Cabbage tree,” 
(Cordyline australis,) were also used for this purpose ; but, for the inner 
work of roofs, sides, partitions, &c., the large fronds of the Nikau, or 


* See par. 26 (viii) 
= 4 
— 
