48 
It is found generally on dry ground throughout the Island, but is both more 
plentiful and larger at the North parts. Its wood is very hard and very 
heavy, (being by far the heaviest of all the New Zealand woods, ) is 
of a reddish colour, and is often variegated with dark streaks, or mottled 
with a succession of knots, giving it a peculiarly beautiful appearance, It 
is used for Sheaves, Axe-handles, &e. 
(xiii.) The Tipau, or Mapau, (Myrsine australis,) is a small leafy 
tree, 15 to 20 feet high, found sparingly throughout the Island, but more 
plentiful at the North. Its wood resembles Beech, and is used for 
Chair making, Carpenters’ tools, Walking sticks, &e. 
(xiv.) The Wharangi, or Wharangi-pirou, (Melicope ternata,) is a 
small tree, 12—15 feet high, generally found throughout the Island. Its 
wood resembles Satin-wood, and is used by the Cabinet Maker for 
inlaying Fancy work. 
(xv.) The Kawaka, (Libocedrus Doniana,) is a middle-sized hard- 
wooded tree of the Pine family. It is sparingly found and generally at 
much higher elevations than the larger timber trees, hence it is not much 
known. It is confined to the North parts of the Island, where it attains 
to a height of from 30 to 40 feet, (or more,) and from 2 to 8 feet in 
diameter. Its wood is dark coloured, beautifully grained, close and 
heavy ; well suited for picture frames. In the lower part of its trunk 
the wood is said to resemble the “tulip-vood” of New South Wales. 
This tree is very closely allied to the famed ‘“‘Alerse” (Thuja tetragona) 
of South Chili and the Straits of Magellan ; and is believed to be a very 
valuable wood. 
27. There still remains to be noticed a few more indigenous vegetable 
substances known in commerce; foremost among which as valuable 
exports are two of world-wide fame, though peculiar to the Island, viz.— 
the New Zealand Flax, and the Kauri Gum.— 
(i.) The New Zealand Flax, or fibre of the Phormium tenax and of 
Ph. Colensoi, and of their varieties, (Muka of the Natives, as the dressed 
fibre of the Harakeke, or Flax Plant,) has long been too well known, to 
require any lengthened remarks here. The plants are common in every 
situation and soil throughout the Island, or the New Zealand groupe, 
(including also Norfolk Island,) where alone the Phormium is found 
indigenous. (g.) Some swamps,or low grounds, possess it as almost the 
only plant, growing continuously for miles, Formerly it was hand- 
dressed in large quantities by the Aborigines, both for home consumption 
among themselves and for sale, and was exported very largely, As an 
IH 
