194 LEPTOSPERMUM ERICOIDES. 
length by yin. in breadth, while they are frequently smaller, sometimes even 
less than gin. wide, acute at the apex, dotted with pellucid glands, but usually 
quite smooth. The flowers are in reality solitary, and spring from the axils of 
the leaves, but, owing to the leaves falling away as the flowers are expanded, 
the latter often appear to be produced in clusters. Each flower is carried ona 
short peduncle, and when fully expanded is nearly fin. in diameter. The calyx 
is funnel-shaped, and closely invests the ovary; its mouth is divided into five 
minute teeth, alternating with which are five free petals, rounded at the tip: the 
stamens are numerous, and vary in length. The ovary is five-celled, and is sunk 
in the cup of the calyx. The fruit is a five-celled capsule, with numerous minute 
seeds. In some varietics the young shoots, leaves, and calyces are more or less 
clothed with fine down or silky hairs. The majority of the flowers are perfect, 
but not unfrequently flowers are found in which the stamens are not developed, 
others in which the pistil is wanting; but as a general rule these flowers are 
altogether abortive, the stamens but rarely producing pollen, and the pistil being 
incapable of fertilisation. 
Propertirs AND USEs, 
Leptospermum ericoides affords a dense, heavy, straight-grained timber, of 
great strength and durability, tough, and elastic: it is of a red colour, varying in 
intensity according to the age of the tree. It is a timber of good value, and 
would be extensively used if it could be obtained of larger dimensions. 
Its specific gravity varies from 906 to I°042, its weight per cubic foot from 
56°46lb, to 64°95lb., and its breaking weight from 2o0olb. to 3021b.* 
It has been largely used for house-blocks, piles for marine jetties, fence- 
rails, for the cogs of wheels, and especially for spokes and other purposes of the 
wheelwright, 
lor some of these uses it is inferior to other timbers: for instance, to puriri, 
matai, and totara for house-blocks; to the kowhai, rata, and maire-raunui for 
the teeth of wheels. It is excellent for small marine piles, as it possesses the 
property of resisting the attacks of the teredo to a considerable extent; and for 
spokes for coach- or drag-wheels it is scarcely surpassed, but to obtain the best 
results they should be cleft from trees grown on fairly good soil. 
It is highly valued for firewood. 
DISTRIBUTION oF THE GENUS. 
The genus Leftospermum contains about thirty species, of which twenty are 
found in Australia, and two or three in New Zealand. The others are chiefly 
found in the mountains of the Malay Archipelago and in New Caledonia. 
DIstTRIRUTION oF THE SPECIES. 
Leptospermum ericoides is endemic in New Zealand, and is found from the 
Three Kings Islands to Otago, but is rare to the south of Port Chalmers, and 
does not cross Foveaux Strait. 
It ascends from the sea-level to 3,o00ft. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Leptospermum ericoides, A. Rich. 
A small tree, 2oft. to 6o0ft. high, with ragged, papery bark and spreading 
branches. Leaves crowded or fascicled, very narrow-linear, acute, dotted with 
* Balfour: Experiments on New Zealand Timbers. 
