Genus—Dacrydium.

Dacrydium cupressinum, Soland.

Rimu, Red-pine.—Tree pyramidal, with weeping branches when young; trunk 80ft. to 130ft. high, and 2ft. to 6ft. in diameter. An ornamental and useful timber; wood red, clear-grained, heavy, and solid; much used for joisting and planking, and general building purposes, from Wellington southward. Its chief drawback is in being liable to decay under the influence of wet. It is largely used in the manufacture of furniture, the old wood being handsomely marked like rosewood, but of a lighter-brown hue. The juice of this pine is agreeable to drink, and was manufactured into spruce beer by Captain Cook. Grows throughout the North and South Islands, but is of best quality in the central district.

Dacrydium, colensoi, Hook.

Manoao, Yellow-pine.—A very ornamental tree, 20ft. to 80ft. high. Wood light yellow. It is the most durable and strongest timber in New Zealand. Posts of this wood have been in use among the Maoris for several hundred years. Grows in the North and South Islands up to 4,000ft. altitude. This tree is curious from having two kinds of leaves on the same branches. It is greatly valued for furniture.