’ 
PODOCARPUS SPICATA. T 
gin. in diameter growing across it. Used for weatherboarding and similar 
purposes, it is found in good sound condition after twenty-eight years, with every 
appearance of enduring for an indefinite period. House-blocks, fencing-posts, 
and piles are found in excellent condition after being down from fifteen to 
twenty years or longer. I found sleepers on the Taupiri tramway with the 
heart perfectly sound after having been in use nine years, which is the more 
remarkable on account of their having evidently been taken from young trees. 
I believe that, so far as data are available, this exceeds the average life of a 
totara sleeper. 
The general opinion respecting the durability of matai is not unanimous. 
It was formerly in demand for railway sleepers, but other timbers are now pre- 
ferred. Although I have heard no reason stated, there can be but little doubt that 
the fraudulent substitution of miro by contractors, a very common practice, has 
been the chief cause of matai falling into disrepute: and it must also be stated 
that the lowland matai of the North Island is not equal in durability to that of 
hilly districts, or of the South Island generally; but the instance of the 
durability of matai sleepers in the Waikato district given above shows that even 
in the North Island it must be of great value under trying circumstances. 
The bark is occasionally used by the tanner, but only to a small extent. 
The proportion of sapwood in mature trees is usually small and well 
defined. Mataiis occasionally liable to heart-shakes, but they are rarely serious. 
When shakes occur the watery portion of the sap accumulates in the cavities in 
large quantities, and during the growing season forms a refreshing beverage for 
the thirsty bushman, who frequently taps an old tree to procure it. It is rarely 
obtained in quantity from young trees, and in very old trees has a sour, acrid, 
and unpleasant flavour. When newly tapped on a hot day it is brisk and 
refreshing; but, like many other beverages, speedily becomes “ flat’? when 
exposed to the aur. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Podocarpus spicata, Rk. Brown. 
A tree from 4oft. to 80ft. high or more; branches pendulous in fhe young 
state, and leaves of a bronzed hue: in the mature state, leaves arranged in two 
rows, green on the upper surface and glaucous beneath; rarely exceeding 3in. in 
jength, narrow linear, often with a minute point at the apex. Male and female 
flowers arranged in short spikes on separate trees. Male catkins ovoid, numerous. 
Female three to six on a spike. Fruit a drupe, $in. in diameter; globular, 
sessile. 
The flowers are produced during November and December; the fruit 
ripens in March. 
EXPLANATION OF Prares IV. anp V. 
IV. Podocarpus spicata, R. Brown. 1. Specimen with male flowers, 
natural size. 2. Pendulous branch of young plant, natural size. 3. Female 
flower, enlarged. 4. Malecatkin, enlarged. 5. Scale fromdo., enlarged. 6 and 
7. Longitudinal and transverse section of young fruit, enlarged. 8. Immature 
fruit, enlarged. 9. Spike of ripe fruit, natural size. 
V. Podocarpus spicata, R. Brown. Specimen with female flowers, natural 
size. 
