MYRSINE SALICINA, Heward. 
THE TORO. 
OrDER—MYRSINE. 
(Plate XV.) 
Tuis handsome tree was originally discovered by Allan Cunningham in the Bay 
of Islands district, and described in the ‘‘ Flora Nove Zelandiz’’ under the 
name of Sutlonia salicina, but in the ‘*‘ Handbook”’’ it was placed under Myrsine, 
as suggested by Mr. R. Heward. 
It attains the extreme height of 4oft., with a trunk 2ft. in diameter; the 
head is usually small, the branches being somewhat distant and ascending. 
The leaves are usually restricted to the tips of the branchlets, the lower part 
being naked; they are from 4in. to 6in. long, and rarely exceed half an inch 
in breadth ; numerous pellucid oblong glands are imbedded in their substance. 
The flowers are whitish, and are produced in great profusion on the naked parts 
of the branchlets; they are succeeded by red fruits, which are fully half an inch 
in length. 
This species prefers cool soils, and, although generally distributed within 
its limited area, never forms any large proportion of the forest. It is easily cul- 
tivated in cool soils. 
DIsTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
Myrsine contains about eighty species, the greater number being natives of 
tropical Asia, Africa, and America; a few are found in temperate countries, 
extending to Japan; four species occur in Australia, and six in New Zealand, 
the Chatham and Auckland Islands: one species is restricted to the Chatham 
Islands and Stewart Island. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Myrsine salicina occurs from the North Cape to the Awatcre and Westland 
in the South Island. It ascends from the sea-level to 2,4o0ft. 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 
The timber is of a deep-red colour and beautifully marked, straight in 
the grain, and of great strength, but is not durable when in contact with the 
ground. It is used by the cabinetmaker, both in the solid and as veneers, and 
would be extensively employed if it were freely placed on the market. It makes 
good fencing-rails, and might be advantageously employed for chisel-handles, 
&c.; it is also suitable for rafters, beams, joists, and other inside work, and 
affords excellent firewood. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Myrsine salicina, Heward, Mss. Handbook of the N.Z. Flora. 
Suttonia salicina, Hook. f., Fl. N.Z., 1. 172, t. 44. 
A glabrous tree, rarely exceeding 4oft. in height, with black bark, Leaves 
alternate, shortly petioled, linear-oblong, obtuse, 4in.—6in. long, din. to 31n. broad, 
