shape. That portion of the leaf struck by the sunlight is usually of a glossy green colour, and that part which is not, is of a whitish green. The edge of the blade is always bordered by a thin line of reddish-brown, which is a valuable aid to identifying the numerous varieties of flax. Some leaves are more pointed than others and some are differently coloured, here being two more identification aids. Fibres are not all of the same texture. Flax that grows on hilltops and slopes (Phormium Colensoi) has more brittle and coarser fibres than that growing in swamps. This variation in texture is an important fact to consider, when dealing with plaiting and weaving. The Roots and Rhizome The roots are very lengthy, reddish-brown in colour towards the rhizome, and orange nearer the ends. Fairly smooth in structure, the main roots have numerous small depressions on the outer skin, and when squeezed feel spongy to the touch. The rootlets running off do not conform to a set pattern, but appear more or less alternately around the root. The rhizome from which the renowned harakeke medicine is made is covered with myriads of tiny hair roots which attach themselves very securely to the surrounding soil. To cut the rhizome into pieces one has to use an axe or saw, as it consists of a hard, stringy wood-like material. The Flower The Phomium Tenax blossoms from November to January, and the flowers are dull red or yellow in colour. Sometimes—about December —the dull red changes to a beautiful, bright blood-red. The korari, or stalk, at this time of the year is of a purplish colour and the flower spikes appear on alternate sides of it. From January onwards the flower begins to lose its petals, and gives way to a banana-like seed-box, which contains the tiny black seeds. This seed-box is at first a lustrous purple in colour, but later becomes a deep, shiny black, which in turn changes to brown. At the base of the flower is the sweet nectar, which attracts the nectar-eating birds such as the tui and the bell-bird, and in this way the plant is cross-fertilised.

FIFTEEN VARIETIES The flax plant grows abundantly in swampy areas and on the banks of running streams, where it is at its best. Those growing on hillsides are a different variety, and were hardly ever used for plaiting and weaving. According to some authorities the old Maori experts recognised 15 varieties of flax. Of these, the most superior leaves, whose fibres were used for fashioning the korowai and aronui cloaks, belonged to the varieties known as oue, tihore, rukutia, huruhika and huhiroa. To find the oue plant look for a leaf which is narrow, deep green in colour, and with the edge and keel coloured like the karaka. The huhiroa has a bluish-green leaf, bordered by a black or deep brown line, and which tapers gradually to a point. Tihore, Rukutia and Huruhika appear to be different names for the oue. A variety easily recognisable is the Parekoretawa which is a variegated plant, with bright green leaves striped lengthwise with a sulphur colour. Other than being a valued ornament, this type had no use at all.

FLAX MEDICINE The flax medicine was the Maori counter part for our present Epsom salts. It was a laxative guaranteed to produce results—sometimes very violent results! To prepare it, obtain a rhizome, preferably from a flax plant growing on fairly dry ground. Clean and cut off all the roots and root-hairs attached to it. Now with an axe cut the rhizome into small pieces, and boil in half a quart of water. Let it boil until the water assumes a reddish-brown colour. Strain the liquid through gauze or some other suitable strainer, to remove all insoluble material, and allow to cool. Pour this into a suitable bottle and it is now ready for use. One tablespoon is sufficient for adults, while children should be given only a teaspoonful, unless no results are obtained. If too much is taken the results are so violent that a binding agent must be taken to stop it. The antidote for this state of affairs is to rush off to the nearest manuka patch, and secure a handful of manuka seed-boxes—the hard, ball-shaped boxes left on the plant after the flower disappears. Crush these as much as possible and then eat them. Manuka seeds, for their medicinal function, are just as efficient and reliable as flax medicine is for its peculiar purpose. An alternative method of preparing flax medicine is to place the rhizome into hot embers, and cook it like a kumara. When cooled eat a portion of it, and the results, I believe, are the same as for the liquid preparation. How much one should eat of the cooked rhizome I do not know. Anyone keen on assisting humanity might like to test it and work out the exact prescription! To the taste, the flax medicine is extremely bitter, but whether it is worse than Epsom salts is a matter to be debated. Flax gum, found at the butts of young leaves, also had some useful purpose. The gum proved to be an excellent cure for minor cuts, scratches and cracked hands. When smeared over the