Maori name for a lofty-spreadingNew Zealand tree, Podocarpus totara, A. Cunn., N.O. Coniferae,. In Maori, the accent falls onthe first syllable; but in English use it is often placedon the second, and from Mr. Polack's spelling it must havebeen so as early as 1840. Called also Mahogany-pine.There are several other species, e.g. P. vivalis, Hook.,the Mountain Totara; called also Mahogany Pine.See Mahogany, and Pine.
1832. G. Bennett, in Lambert's `Genus Pinus,' vol. ii. p. 190:
«This is an unpublished species of Podocarpus, calledTotara by the natives. . . . The value placed on this tree bythe natives is sometimes the occasion of quarrels, terminatingin bloodshed, if it is cut down by any except the party by whomit is claimed. . . It is not unusual for the trees to descendfrom father to son.»
1840. J. S. Polack, `Manners and Customs of New Zealanders,'vol. i. p. 227:
«The totarra or red-pine.»
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.p. 221:
«The totara is one of the finest trees in the forest, and isthe principal wood used by the natives, whether for canoes,houses, or fencing.»
1854. W. Golder, `Pigeons' Parliament,' [Notes] p. 80:
«The place received its name from a number of large totaratrees.»
1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand,' p. 134:
«Totara ( Podocarpus totara) and Matai ( Podocarpusspicata) are large and beautiful trees found in everyforest.»
1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 107:
«One lone totara-tree that grew
Beneath the hill-side.»
1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees,' p. 308:
«The Totara Tree ( Taxus or Podocarpus totara).Height, eighty to ninety feet. The wood is red in colour,close, straight, fine and even in grain . . . a good substitutefor mahogany.»
1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 227:
«With the exception of the kauri, the totara affords the mostvaluable timber in New Zealand, but unlike the kauri it isfound almost throughout the colony.»