Q2 FAGUS SOLANDRI. 
bracts, finely toothed on the upper margins: each involucre contains three or 
rarely two flowers. The flower consists of a three-celled ovary with three short 
styles : each cell contains a single ovule: two of these become absorbed after 
fertilisation, and only one arrives at maturity. The fruit consists of a woody 
involucral cup, usually with three seeds, two of which are threc-angled, and 
tipped with the remains of the style, the angles being produced into narrow 
wings; the middle seed is flat, two-winged, and usually abortive. 
In fruits of this species, figured by Sir Joseph Hooker, the involucral cup 
consists of from seven to nine segments, but I have not seen specimens consist- 
ing of more than three. | 
Reference has been made to the covering of cinereous or brownish hairs on 
the under-surface of the leaf. This is characteristic of the mature state only: in 
the young state the leaves are green on both surfaces, and even on old trees when 
they are protected by trees of greater height. This protective covering is adapted 
to prevent undue evaporation and injury from sudden variations in temperature : 
it is only developed on leaves fully exposed to light and air, whether on young 
trees or old; it is never found in seedling plants, or on branches growing under 
the shade of taller trees. | 
Its chief centre of conversion is the Oxford Forest, where numerous saw-. 
mills are still in operation, although the number has been reduced of late years. — 
The greater portion of the timber converted is now obtained from private lands, 
payment being made by “tithes’’ or royalty at the rate of Is. per 1ooft. super- 
ficial, or at a fixed rate per acre varying from £2 to £6 tos. for the timber only, 
Formerly higher rates were paid; from £8 to £10 per acre was not infrequent, 
and in one or two instances it is stated that a rate of fully £15 has been realised. 
The most heavily timbered portions of the forest have been cut out; the 
lower slopes and folds of the hills, however, contain a large amount of good 
timber, much of which will yield from 14,o00ft. to 17,o00ft. superficial per acre. 
The present holders are making a fair profit at the current rate of royalty, 
especially as the forest contains a small proportion of matai, rimu, and kahi- 
katea, which is of more easy conversion than entire-leaved beech. 
The beech forests of New Zealand may be renewed at a minimum cost 
wherever it is desirable. Whenever trees are felled or a track is cut through 
the forest, myriads of seedlings spring up, the majority of which are gradually 
killed off in the struggle for existence, leaving the strongest to form trees. No 
other forests in the colony could be made to afford a regular crop of timber at 
fixed periods at so small a cost. All that is required is the exclusion of cattle, 
and judicious thinning when necessary ; transplanting would be rarely called for. 
The flowers are produced in November and December. 
PROPERTIES AND UsEs. 
The wood of Fagus Solandri is of a pale-red colour or greyish, often streaked 
with black, and sometimes handsomely figured: the heartwood is black, and 
irregular in outline. 
It is heavy, tough, strong, and, if properly selected, durable; but the 
absolute necessity for rigorous selection tends to detract from its value. 
According to Mr. Blair, the weight per cubic foot in the green state 15 
53°485lb. ; when seasoned, 40°292lb.: and the breaking weight of a piece aft. 
long and rin. square, loaded in the middle, 339°53lb. A board r2in. wide and 
in. in thickness shrank *54in. while seasoning.* 
* Blair: Building Materials of Otago, pp. 224, 225. 
