FLAX COMMISSIONERS.

69

G.— No. 4.

LIST of NAMES of the VARIETIES of the PHORMIUM TENAX distinguished by the NATIVES.

Name. District and Authority. Remarks. .onga ... rotara lie ... \tewhiki Itirankaica [arakeke Bishop Selwyn East Coast, Heaphy Waikanae, Native Hauraki, Bishop Selwyn Wanganui, Woon Taranaki, Kelly Ditto Hursthouse... Opunake, Native East Coast, Heaphy ... Taranaki, Kelly Ngatiruanui, Woon ... Opunake, Native Christchurch Domain, Armstrong Mantell ... Waikanae, Native Otaki, Native Waikato, Hutton Opunake, Native Waikanae, Native Mantell ... West Coast, Heaphy ... Wanganui, Woon A variegated flax. Awanga (?) Poor fibre. Yellowish-green leaves ; dark brown edgeHaro .Requiring to be scraped by a shell. do. do. do. Strong fibre. Used for Eel nets, and baskets. Fibre, very white. Used for best garments ; leaf narrow; reddish tinge; edge and keel narrow ; bright scarlet line. First-rate quality. Breaking strain, 77. Hatiraukawa ? Used for finest mats, probably same as Oue. Best, and most abundant fibre, not large, but a quick grower. Leaf, bronze, when mature ; light olive green, when young; rather pointed; edge, dull dark brown, lighter in inner margin; sometimes brown, relieved by a bright red line. Lengthy and strong fibre. Breaking strain. Maximum, 90. Leaf broad ; light green ; abrupt at the points; edges, light brown. ' Also, Haraheke. Common swamp flax. Name for all flax, except WharariM. Strip of leaf i inch broad ; broke at 42 lbs. Breaking strain, 77. Broad, buff green leaf, with dark narrow edge, or Uhiroa {?) Yields best fibre ; probably Oueroa. Long fibre. Used for fine and porae mats, fishing lines, nets, ropes, &e. Good fibre, easily separated from gum. Leaf, blueish-green ; narrow edge, black, or very dark brown ; keel, reddish chocolate; leaf gradually narrows to a point. Breaking strain, 98. Leaf very long, tapering at the point; edges, light brown. Used for rough garments. Bears a general resemblance to Talcaiwpu. Breaking strain, 87. Good fibre; tapering leaf; dark chocolate edge. Used only for baskets and matting; easily breaks with a jerk. Good white fibre, soft, and silky. Two variegated forms. Per centage of fibre, 19.G ; leaves, large coarse edges, and base, dark brown. r.ewara [uhiroa Taranaki, Kelly Opunake, Native Christchurch Domain, Armstrong lurulmruliika ... Taranaki, Kelly ... 'aruamoa '.auhangaroa Opunake, Native Waikanae, Native Hawke's Bay, Nairn ... Ditto Native ... Government Domain, Christchurch, Armstrong Zohunga Maungatautari, Bishop Selwyn... Ditto Mantell Taranaki, Kelly Zorako Zoura Zwoa Zurw Ditto Hursthouse Wanganui, Buller Christchurch Domain, Armstrong Opunake, Native Taranaki, Kelly Opunake, Native West Coast, Heaphy ... Ditto Mantell ... Pipiriki, Woon Tilwre. Fine kind. Used for best garments. Dark green leaf; edge, a narrow line of dark brown; keel, a pale yellow. First-rate quality. Best fibre for Korowai, or shaggy mats. Per centage of fibre, 17.8. Breaking strain, 95. Used for rough purposes. Breaking strain, 90. or Manunui (?). Good for cordage. Best variety. Strong and durable; short fibre, used for borders of fine mats. Also, Awanga —a variegated kind; fibre unserviceable for manufacture. lanunu fatoroa Totu-o-rui East Coast, Heaphy 18