15+ WEINMANNIA RACEMOSA, 
i" 
used, to the prejudice of the timber; and even the heart, when fully exposed to. 
the sun and air, speedily exhibits numerous longitudinal cracks, which adn Lit 
moisture and cause speedy decay. Logs lying on the surface of the grot nd 
become worthless in a very short time. On the other hand, if wholly or partial iy 
covered with soil they exhibit great durability, especially 1f in damp situations 
There can therefore be no doubt that it is a timber of great value for sleepers « ae 
house-blocks, piles, &c., In damp or moist situations, where other timbers 
quickly nee For beams in situations not exposed to the sun it is doubtless 
superior to the ordinary pine-timbers on account of its greater strength. Its 
value for marine piles has been demonstrated at Hokitika and Greymouth, 
Its mean weight per cubic foot is 61°377Ilb. when green, 38°7171b. when 
seasoned, and its breaking weight 314°7lb.* 
Its bark is of great value for tanning, as it contains 13 per cent. meres 
it can be obtained in vast quantities, and, if manufactured into an extract, would 
afford a remunerative opening for the employment of labour and an important 
addition to the list of New Zealand exports: it might ultimately rival the export 
of hemlock-extract from the United States. 7 
DisTRiIButioNn. 
Weinmannia raceniosa is endemic in New Zealand: it attains its norther n 
limit on the Thames Goldfield, and near Hamilton in the Waikato, whence it 
extends southwards to Stewart Island, and is especially abundant on the west 
coast of the South Island. 
a 
DESCRIPTION. 
Weinmannia racemosa, [orst. 
Letospermum racemosuim, Don, | ; 
An eyergteen tree, 50ft. to goft. high. Leaves in the young state oppos i ee 
membranous, simple or unequally pinnate; in the mature state in. to 3im. 
long, unifoliolate, jointed to the petiole, coriaceous, glabrous, coarsely a nd 
obtusely serrate, seas or sub-acute, ovate or oblong-ovate or oblong-lanceolate, 
with a stout marginal nerve, punctate beneath. Racemes, tin. to 4in. Jot 1g, 
axillary or ferrin, simple or in small panicles, pubescent, pedicels stout ; pat ts” 
of the flowers as in W. silvicola, but larger. Styles often united nearly to t he 
apex; ovary hirsute. Capsule two- to three-celled, hirsute in the young stat ee 
seeds numerous. 
' 
EXPLANATION OF Plate LNAXIII. 
Weinmannia racemosa, Forster, CS size. 1. Young plant with mem. 
branous pinnate leaves, ratareal size. 2. Flower. 3. Capsule. 4. Transi on 
section of a three-celled capsule. tp ransverse section of a two-celled capsule. 
All magnified. 
* Blair - Building Waterials of tages PP. 374; 375: 
