the Maori name for Tea-tree (q.v.). Properly, the accent is on the first syllable withbroad a. Vulgarly, the accent is placed on the secondsyllable. There are two species in New Zealand, whiteand red; the first, a low bush called Scrub-Manuka, L. scoparium, R. and G. Forst., the Tea-tree usedby Captain Cook's sailors; the second, a tree Leptospermumericoides, A. Richard.
1840. J. S. Polack, `Manners and Customs of the NewZealanders,' p. 258:
«This wood, called by the southern tribes manuka, isremarkably hard and durable, and throughout the country is anespecial favourite with the natives, who make their spears,paddles, fishing rods, etc., of this useful timber.»
1842. W. R. Wade, `Journey in Northern Island of NewZealand,' p. 75:
«The Manuka, or, as it is called in the northern part of theisland, Kahikatoa ( leptospermum scoparium), is amysterious plant, known in Van Diemen's Land as the tea tree.»
1843. E. Dieffenbach, `Travels in New Zealand,' vol. i.p. 28:
«The manuka supplies the place of the tea-shrub.»
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.p. 270:
«[The house] was protected from the weather by a wooden railingfilled in with branches of the manuka. This is a shrub veryabundant in some parts. The plant resembles the teaplant inleaves and flower, and is often used green by the whalers andtraders for the same purpose.»
1851. Mrs.Wilson, `New Zealand,' p. 46:
«It is generally made of manuka a very hard, dark,close-grained and heavy wood.»
1867. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 121:
«The manuka, a sort of scrub, has a pretty blossom like adiminutive Michaelmas daisy, white petals and a brown centre,with a very aromatic odour; and this little flower issucceeded by a berry with the same strong smell and taste ofspice. The shepherds sometimes make an infusion of these whenthey are very hard up for tea; but it must be like drinking adecoction of cloves.»
1871. C. L. Money, `Knocking about in New Zealand,' p. 70:
«Chiefly covered with fern and tea-tree (manuka) scrub.»
1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 149:
«Then to a copse of manuka retreat,
Where they could safely, secretly commune.»
[Domett has the following note – – «`A large shrub or small tree;leaves used as tea in Tasmania and Australia, where the plantis equally abundant' (Hooker). In the poem it is calledindiscriminately manuka, broom, broom-like myrtle, orleptosperm. The settlers often call it `tea-broom.'» ]
1875. Wood and Lapham, `Waiting for the Mail,' p. 23:
«A tremendous fire of broadleaf and manuka roared in thechimney.»
1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia,' vol. iv. p. 123:
«Manuka is a shrub which is rampant throughout New Zealand.
If it were less common it would be thought more beautiful.
In summer it is covered with white blossom: and there are
few more charming sights than a plain of flourishing manuka.»