Genus—Metrosideros, Br.

Metrosideros lucida, Menzies.

Rata, Ironwood.—A very ornamental tree; attains a height of 30ft. to 60ft., and a diameter of 2ft. to 10ft. The timber of this tree forms a valuable cabinet wood; is of a dark-red colour; splits freely. It has been much used for knees and timbers in ship-building, and would probably answer well for cogs of spur-wheels. Grows rarely in the North Island, but is abundant in the South Island, especially on the West Coast.

Metrosideros robusta, A. Cunn.

Rata.—A tall erect tree, 50ft. to 60ft. high; diameter of trunk 4ft., but the descending roots often form a hollow stem 12ft. in diameter. Timber closely resembles the last-named species, and is equally dense and durable, while it can be obtained of much larger dimensions. It is used for ship-building, but for this purpose is inferior to the pohutukawa. On the tramways at the Thames it has been used for sleepers, which are perfectly sound after some years' use. Grows in the North Island; usually found in hilly situations from Cape Colville southwards.

Metrosideros tomentosa, A. Cunn.

Pohutukawa.—This tree has numerous massive arms; its height