lichen-coated, and dropping to decay. The great coil of twining roots are almost superficial, and fail to draw their nourishment from the bare and hoof-trodden ground.

Mountain Rata.—For the mountain rata of the South there is a happier prospect. It is a true tree, better rooted than its northern congener, and with its advantages of climate and situation will probably continue one of the most conspicuous features of the alpine scenery.

Puriri.—The puriri, as Mr. T. Kirk has noted, is the only tree which is able to resist the strangling pressure of the rata, and it is one of the few which, in anything approaching an adult stage, will survive the removal of the surrounding bush. It will stand any amount of hacking and cutting about; and even when partly destroyed by fire—so long as the bark is not burned round the root—it will renew its youth by a fresh growth from the trunk and lower branches. Unfortunately, the species is of limited distribution, being confined to the upper half of the northern Island; and, as the timber is in great, request for railway sleepers, fencing-posts, &c., all the best specimens are rapidly disappearing. Moreover, there is not much chance of its renewal, except in places inaccessible to stock, as the seedlings are quickly eaten off. Still, the puriri is a long-lived tree, and probably existing specimens will survive for an indefinite period. An example of its vitality may be seen in the old mission settlement of Waimate, where several beautiful clumps have held their ground against the cattle in enclosed paddocks for at least fifty years. Even after death the puriri is a noble object, as, bleached to a snowy whiteness, it stands with all its branches perfect long after every vestige of the surrounding bush has disappeared, both above and below ground, apparently insensible to decay.

Kahikatea.—The kahikatea, or white-pine, is distributed over the greater part of New Zealand, and is found in greatest abundance in low and swampy situations, where it frequently forms continuous forests of large extent. Specimens of a harder variety are common in the mixed bush on higher ground. Generally easy of access, and affording a useful timber, it is being largely removed for mill purposes. The kahikatea is a delicate, tree, and does not long survive under altered circumstances; in fact, during the last few years immense bushes have disappeared with, marvellous rapidity, their sites being now occupied by cabbage-tree, flax, and raupo swamp, according to the comparative wetness of the situation. In the drier portions the ground is often covered with a close crop of seedlings, many of which attain a considerable height. It is doubtful, however, if they will equal the parent growth.

Other Pines.—Of the other so-called pines the totara and rimu—both noble trees and of wide distribution—are the most important. They are, however, much sought-after for the excellence of their timber; and it is only a question of time when all the best specimens will be removed in all accessible situations. Fortunately, the seedlings are cattle-resistant, and perfectly hardy; and the totara and rimu, together with the matai, tanekaha, miro, &c., will form an important element of the bush of the future.

Beeches.—The beeches, of which there are several varieties, are chiefly confined to the South Island, where they frequently form continuous bushes of large extent. The timber is used for all purposes, and the best portions have been already cut out. Mr. Kirk has pointed out a property of the beech-forest which, with the exception of the tea-tree, is quite unique in the New Zealand bush—viz., its-power of renewing itself from seed, all that is required for its perfect restoration being the exclusion of cattle (vide “Forest Flora of New Zealand”: Art. Fagus).

Tawa.—The tawa, though unimportant as a timber tree, deserves mention on account of its large size, wide distribution, and handsome appearance. It is common to all parts of the North Island, and formed a few years ago one of the most attractive features of the extensive forests of Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington, now mostly destroyed by fire. It is a tall, graceful tree, with a clean trunk and light willow-like foliage. The timber until lately was considered to be of little value except for firewood, on account of its perishable nature, but of late a use has been found for it in the manufacture, of butter-cases, for which it is excellently adapted. The tawa is, unfortunately, one of the first trees to disappear, as the roots stand out above the surface, and are covered with the very thinnest of bark. In many districts where the bush is otherwise in fairly good preservation it has almost entirely perished.

Towai.—The towai is a large, handsome tree, chiefly valued for the tanning properties of its bark. It is distributed all over the colony, and has the distinction of being the only tree above the size of a mere bush which grows in the open fern land, where it quickly springs up from the root after a fire. It is found in great abundance on steep rocky river-banks, and flourishes on high and exposed situations. Although its roots are very superficial, the towai is fairly cattle-resistant, and is destined to figure largely in the bush of the future.

Titoki.—Though comparatively inferior in point of size, the titoki has a strong claim on our attention from its extreme hardiness under all conditions. It is never touched by cattle, and is often found green and flourishing in the midst of the