938 METROSIDEROS TOMENTOSA. 
Although most frequent on maritime cliffs, it is occasionally found in woods 
near the sea, when the leaves and flowers are usually smaller, 
What appears to be a hybrid between this species and M. robusta is occa- 
sionally found in situations where both species occur. The branchlets are stout, 
and the leaves smaller and perfectly smooth on both surfaces. The flowers are 
of small size, in few-flowered panicles, the branches and pedicels being nearly 
smooth. 
PROPERTIES AND USEs. 
The wood is of a deep-red colour, excessively dense, heavy and compact, 
and of great strength and durability. Its spreading tortuous habit of growth 
renders it of the greatest value for ship-timbers, and it has been extensively used 
for that purpose since the earliest period of settlement; it is also used for planks 
for various special purposes, for trenails, for machine-beds and bearings, &e. 
It is very suitable for the framing and sills of dock-gates, &c. | 
The pohutukawa exhibits great power of resistance to the attacks of the 
teredo: I have never seen logs seriously injured by the perforations of this 
destructive mollusc. It affords excellent firewood, although difficult to split. 
Although the trunk does not rival that of the English oak in dimensions its 
massive arms are equally valuable, and will probably be found superior in 
durability. 
A decoction of the inner layers of the bark is highly valued by bushmen as 
a remedy for dysentery. 
It is to be regretted that it has been wantonly destroyed in many localities, 
and is now very scarce in districts where it was formerly plentiful. It is 
generally planted for ornamental purposes: under cultivation it commences to 
Hower when about 5ft. or 6ft. high. Cultivated specimens withstand the winter 
frost as far south as Banks Peninsula. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
See under Metrosideros lucida, p. 99, ante. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Metrosideros tonentosa 1s endemic in New Zealand, and is restricted to the 
northern portion of the colony. It is chiefly found on sea-cliffs, and in woods 
by the margin of the sea, from the Three Kings Islands and the North Cape to 
Poverty Bay on the east coast and the mouth of the Mimi River on the west. 
It is also found inland at Waikaremoana, in the East Cape district, along the 
course of the Tarawera River to the Tarawera Lake, where it was plentia and 
of large dimensions prior to the volcanic eruption of June, 1886. Associated 
with it were Astelia Banksti and other maritime plants of a northern type, forming 
a scene which could only be elsewhere witnessed on the rocky coast to the north 
of Auckland. It is not found at Rotokakahi, which is 300ft. higher than Lake 
Tarawera, into which it discharges, but it occurs sparingly on islands in Taupo 
Lake, in the centre of the North Island. 
It ascends from the sea-level to about 2,o0oft. on headlands in the vicinity 
of the sea, and at Waikaremoana, where it was discovered by Mr. Colenso. It 
attained a somewhat greater altitude on Tarawera Mountain previous to the 
eruption. 
I have been assured that this species is plentiful between Riwaka and Wai- 
tapu, on the southern side of Cook Strait, and that it was used for the framework 
of a small vessel constructed there a few years ago. I have also been assured 
