100 METROSIDEROS LUCIDA. 
PROPERTIES AND UsEs. 
The wood of the southern rata is heavy, compact, tough, and of great 
strength when straight in the grain, but, as in exposed situations it is often 
enarled and contorted, the grain is frequently twisted and uneven. It is of a 
pale-red colour, closely resembling Honduras mahogany, but it is totally desti- 
tute of figure. Its specific gravity varies from 1'o10 to 17146; its weight per 
cubic foot, from 62'953lb. to 71°429lb.; its breaking weight, 175lb. to 255-4lb. ; 
the weight carried with unimpaired elasticity, 175lb. to 255°4lb.* Mr. Blair states: 
the weight of a cubic foot in the green state to be 72°0411b.; when seasoned, 
63°314lb.: he found that boards t2in. wide and din. thick shrank o°65i1n. in 
width while seasoning, although cut out of an old log. He gives 578°5lb. as 
the mean weight required to break four specimens 2ft. long and Iin. square, 
supported at each end and loaded in the middle.t The southern rata is largely 
used in shipbuilding, knees, crooks, and timbers of all sizes béing readily 
obtained ; so that it affords a good substitute for the pohutukawa, although not 
equal to its near ally. It is also used for trenails, for the teeth of geared 
wheels, and as a substitute for the large metal bearings of shafts. Mr. Blair 
states that the bearings of a water-wheel at Waikawa are in good condition after 
being in use eighteen years.t It is coming into general use for the framing of 
railway-wagons and carriages with the best results, only a single indigenous 
timber, the puriri, showing any superiority. It is also used for the manufacture 
of agricultural implements, and to a small extent for culverts, bridges, and 
similar purposes, for which it appears to be well suited when short lengths can 
be used. It is also used for fencing-stuff and house-blocks, and affords ex- 
cellent firewood. 
It is probable that all the indigenous species of Metrosideros would afford a 
valuable essential oil, possessing similar properties to Eucalyptus oil, and of a 
more agreeable odour. 
The southern rata is easily cultivated, and, although of slow growth, is of 
value for ornamental planting. 
DistRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
The genus Metrosideros comprises about fifteen species, eleven of which are 
found in New Zealand: one species is found in tropical Australia, one in the 
Indian Archipelago, one in Southern Africa, and one in the Sandwich Islands. 
All the New Zealand species are endemic, except one which is generally 
distributed through the Pacific Islands. Six are lofty climbers, in some Cases 
developing trunks of considerable dimensions. Nearly all are remarkable for 
the beauty of their flowers. 
DistRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
In the North Island Metrosideros lucida is chiefly found in mountain districts: 
it attains its northern limit in the Hirakimata Range, Great Barrier Island, and 
occurs in many places on the mountains of Cape Colville and the Thames Gold- 
field: but it is remarkably local in the North Island generally, and rarely 
occurs in any large quantity. . 
In the South Island it is plentiful, especially on the West Coast, where it 
is one of the commonest trees; it is also frequent in many places in the central 
mountains, and skirts the sea-margin along the southern side of Foveaux Strait. 
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* Balfour : Experiments on the Strength of New Zealand Timbers. 
+ Building Materials of Otago, pp. 224, 225, 226. 
t Building Materials of Otago, p. 152. 
