160 LIBOCEDRUS BIDWILLU. 
Libocedrus Bidwillit differs from L. Doniana in its lower stature and narrow 
conical habit, in its tetragonous branchlets, in the smaller size of its leaves, and 
especially of the fruit. 
PROPERTIES AND USEs. 
The wood of this species is of a red colour, remarkably straight in the erain, 
but rather light and somewhat brittle: it is of great durability in all kinds of 
situations. It is extremely uniform, and never presents the beautiful appearance 
often exhibited by the wood of the preceding species. 
According to Mr, Blair its weight per cubic foot when seasoned is from 
26°306lb. to 28°611lb., and in the green state from 47°750lb. to 61-40slb. Its 
breaking weight is given at gg‘g8lb., so that it is the weakest of all the New 
Zealand pines.* 
It has been used in the construction of bridges, also for piles and house- 
blocks, fence-posts, and rails, railway-sleepers ; for weather-boards, shingles, 
palings, telegraph-posts, and many other purposes in which its durability has 
been severely tested. It appears to surpass totara in durability, and may be 
used for all the purposes to which totara is usually employed, unless ereat 
strength is required. 
It should not be used for beams except where a very short bearing is 
required, nor should it be employed for flooring-joists. 
It might be advantageously used for the manufacture of cottage furniture, 
although not equal to kauri for this purpose. 
In structure it greatly resembles the Californian red-wood (Sequoia semper- 
virens), and has similar qualities and defects. Bleached logs usually referred to 
this species are found lying on many bare mountain-slopes in the Districts of 
Otago and Canterbury: as they are still sound and in good condition a more 
striking proof of the great durability of the timber could not be desired. 
Note.—The tree usually called ‘‘cedar”’ in the North Island is Dysoxylum 
spectabile (Plates LXIV. and LXV.) : care must be taken not to confuse the two. 
DISTRIBUTION. 
Libocedrus Bidwilli 1s endemic in New Zealand, and attains its northern 
limit at the head of the Hauraki Gulf, from whence it extends southwards to the 
forest between Catlin’s River and Waikawa, the most southern forest of the © 
colony. It exhibits a marked preference for mountain or hilly districts, descend- 
ing to within 7ooft. above sea-level on the west coast of the South Island, and 
ascending to 3,80oft. or thereabouts. 
In many districts it is rare and local, being found only in small clumps or 
single trees; in others it forms a large proportion of the forest: it is most plenti- 
ful and attains its largest dimensions between 1,200ft. and 2,500ft. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Libocedrus Bidwillii, Endlicher. 
A moneecious tree, with a straight trunk 5oft. to 80ft. high, clothed with 
flaky bark. Leaves in the young state in four rows; the lateral leaves being 
much larger than those on the upper and lower surfaces of the branch; flat, 
acute, with broad bases. In the mature state the branchlets are tetragonous, 
about jJgin. across ; leaves nearly uniform, triangular, shortly subulate, imbricat- 
Tyés 
ing. Male catkins terminal, j,in. long; anthers four-celled. Female, terminal, 
* Blair; Building Materials of Otago, pp. 224-226 
