wits PODOGARPUS TOTARA. 
The chief points of difference between this species and P. Hallii* were 
briefly referred to under that species, but may be stated at greater lengt hs ait 
will be seen that they are to a great extent comparative :— . 
P. Halli. P, Totava, 
Branchlets of young state . Often pendulous. Stiff and rigid. 
Leaves of young state... Larger than in the mature Similar to those of mature 
state, state. : 
Leaves of mature state ... din. to 2in. long. tin, to t4in. long. P 
Male catkins... ... Solitary. Distinctlystalked. Rarely solitary. Sessile, or 
very shortly stalked. 
Sat on ... Pointedattheapex, Often Roundedattheapex. Usually — 
in twos.» solitary, 
The subject is of considerable importance on account of the great differen ce 
in the durability of the timber afforded by each species. 
PROPERTIES AND UsEs. 
The wood of the totara is of a deep-red colour, varying considerably in 
depth of tint: many specimens present a close approach to Honduras mahoga ny 
in general appearance. It is clean, straight in the grain, compact, and of great 
durability : it does not warp or twist, and is easily worked: in the latter respect 
it is not equal to Californian red-wood, but it is superior to that timber ir 
strength, and probably in durability also. It is an excellent timber for ele 
building purposes—framing, joists, rafters, weather-boards, &c. It is of great 
value for bridges, wharves, and other constructive works where large spans are 
not required, but is not suitable for long beams. It is valued for railway-sleepers, 
and is largely employed for this purpose on account of the ease with which at 
can be converted: it is one of the best timbers for telegraph-posts. It is € asily 
split, and has come into general use for fence-posts, rails, palings, shingles, &c.; 
sawn shingles are also manufactured to a large extent. lor marine piles it is 
unrivalled on account of its great power of resisting the attacks of the teredo : 
except the pohutukawa and puriri, which are only available in comparatively 
short lengths, no other native timber exhibits equal power of resistance to 
this destructive mollusc: it surpasses the West Australian jarrah, from which 
ereat results were anticipated, and is only excelled by the costly greenheart of | 
Demerara. It has proved of great value for the wood pavements formed at 
street-crossings, also for kerbing for sidewalks instead of stone, &c., and 1s 
highly valued for fencing-posts and rails; but whenever sunk in the eround 
it should be perfectly free from sapwood, as this decays in a comparatively 
short time and affects the heartwood, which lasts longer when the sapwood is 
removed before the post is fixed. The chief defect of totara is its somewhat 
brittle character: specimens loaded up to their full strength break suddenly anc 
nd 
without warning; ordinary fence-posts after standing a few years often become 
extremely brittle, although remaining perfectly sound; a horse tied to a totara 
fence and suddenly startled would break three or four standing posts in his efforts 
to get free; railway-sleepers when carelessly packed break across the middle: 
but even with this drawback it is a timber of high value. When used for 
marine piles it is said to retain its power of resisting boring crustaceans and 
molluscs for a much longer period if driven while in the green state: 
sapwood of totara is sometimes attacked before the pile has been driven 
two to four years, but the heartwood remains untouched for a much lor 
period. Clean piles from which all sapwood has been removed would resist 
attacks of marine borers for a protracted period: I have seen piles in wi ic 
* See Podocarpus FAallit, p. 13, ante. 
