ided like the chief of forest
trees, flaunting in crimson splendour."

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 263:

"It is invariably erect, never climbing, although bushmen and
settlers frequently state that it climbs the loftiest trees,
and sooner or later squeezes them to death in its iron clasp.
In proof of this they assert that, when felling huge ratas,
they often find a dead tree in the centre of the rata: this is
a common occurrence, but it by no means follows that this
species is a climber. This error is simply due to imperfect
observation, which has led careless observers to confuse
<i>Metrosideros florida</i> [the Akal which is a true climber,
with M. robusta."

1892. `Otago Witness,' Nov. 10 [`Native Trees']:

"Rata, or Ironwood. It would be supposed that almost every
colonist who has seen the rata in bloom would desire to possess
a plant."

1893. `The Argus,' Feb. 4 [Leading Article]:

"The critic becomes to the original author what the New Zealand
rata is to the kauri. That insidious vine winds itself round
the supporting trunk and thrives on its strength and at its
expense, till finally it buries it wholly from sight and
flaunts itself aloft, a showy and apparently independent tree."

<hw>Rat-tail Grass</hw>, <i>n</i>. name given to--
(1) <i>Ischaemum laxum</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Gramineae</i>.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 92:

"Rat-tail Grass. An upright, slender growing grass; found
throughout the colony, rather coarse, but yielding a fair
amount of feed, which is readily eaten by cattle."

(2) <i>Sporobolus indicus</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Gramineae</i>.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 109:

"Rat-tail Grass. A fine, open, pasture grass, found throughout
the colonies. Its numerous penetrating roots enable it to
resist severe drought. It yields a fair amount of fodder, much
relished by stock, but is too coarse for sheep. The seeds form
the principal food of many small birds. It has been suggested
as a paper-making material."

[See <i>Grass</i>.]

<hw>Raupo</hw>, <i>n</i>. Maori name for a New Zealand
bulrush, <i>Typha angustifolia</i>, Linn. The leaves are used
for building native houses. The pollen, called
<i>Punga-Punga</i> (q.v.), was collected and made into bread
called <i>pua</i>. The root was also eaten. It is not endemic
in New Zealand, but is known in many parts, and was called by
the aborigines of Australia, <i>Wonga</