14 PODOCARPUS HALLIL. 
neither species has produced flowers, but, owing to the peculiar habit of the 
larger leaves, the present species presents a very different appearance from the 
true Podocarpus Totara. Myr. Hall has contended for its specific distinction for the 
last ten or twelve years, and, as the characters derived from the fruit support his 
contention, I have great pleasure in attaching his name to the species. — The 
Maoris on Stewart Island are the only Natives known to me who consider 
it distinct from the ordinary kind. 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 
Although not attaining the largest dimensions of P. Totara, specimens of P. 
Hallii may occasionally be found 6oft. high, with a trunk 4ft. in diameter; most 
frequently, however, the diameter of the trunk does not exceed 3ft. The timber 
is of a dull-red colour, close in the grain, and of firm texture. It is excellent for 
marine piles, as it resists the attacks of the teredo for a considerable period, 
although not absolutely proof against that destructive mollusc. It is largely 
employed for buildings of a superior class, and is extensively used in the con- 
struction of bridges, wharves, and other works of a similar character, but for 
these purposes it is not equal to P. Totara, being less durable when exposed : but, 
notwithstanding its lack of durability under certain conditions, it must be con- 
sidered a timber of great value. 
The bark is easily detached in large sheets, and is sometimes used for the 
roofing of temporary huts. The inner layers are used by the Maoris for packing 
mutton-birds. 
On the little island of Ulva, in Paterson’s Inlet, five ancient trees of this 
species, with trunks fully 4ft. in diameter, are still to be seen, although large 
portions of bark were remoyed from their trunks in all probability more than a 
century ago. I was assured that their existence was unknown to the present 
Natives until they were discovered by C. Traill, Esq., in 1870. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
This species occurs in lowland situations from the Bay of Islands to the 
South Cape, and is frequently associated with P. Tofara. Although plentiful in 
many localities in the North Island, it is more abundant in the South, especially 
on Stewart Island, where P. Tofara has not been observed. It ascends from the 
sea level to 2,8coft. at Waimarino, in the centre of the North Island. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Podocarpus Halli, T. Wirk. 
A dicecious tree Goft. high; trunk 2ft. to 4ft. in diameter, with thin reddish- 
brown papery bark; leaves of young plant tin. to 13in. long, lanceolate, two- 
ranked and spreading; in the mature tree 3in. to rin. long, in several Series, 
close-set, erect, narrowed at the base into a very short flat petiole, mid-rib pro- 
minent beneath, tips pungent. Male flowers, catkins axillary, shortly stalked, 
with a four-leaved inyolucre at the base; connective obtuse. Female flowers 
solitary, axillary, shortly stalked; ovules one or two. Fruit: a nut seated on 
a fleshy red base; nut obtuse, abruptly narrowed at the apex, slightly furrowed 
when ripe. 
EXPLANATION OF PLates IX. anp I[Xa. 
IX. Podocarpus Hallii, V. Kirk. Branchlets from a young tree, natural size. 
TXa. Podocarpus Hallii, T. Kirk. Branchlet froma mature tree, natural size. 
1. Male catkin, natural size. 2, 3. Front and back views of scales, enlarged. 
oe sO TAtsy 92h base of catkin, enlarged. 5. Immature fruits, natural size. 
6. Immature fruit, enlarged. 
