UC-NRLF

$B 711 bEfi

NEW SOUTH WAT-KS.

FORESTRY HANDBOOK.

PART IL

SOME OF THE PRIlNCIPAL COMMERCIAL
TREES OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

J. H. MAIDEN, I.S.O., F.R.S., F.L.S.,

Government Botanist.

SYDNEY: WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, GOVERMMENT PRINTER

t i(408l

1917.

[2«. 6rf.]

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

DAVIS

GIFT OF

FRANKLIN C. RANEY

NEW SOUTH WALES.

FORESTRY HANDBOOK.

PART II.

SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMERCIAL
TREES OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

BY

J. H. MAIDEN, I.S.O., F.R.S., F.L.S.,
Government Botanist.

SYDNEY: WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER

1917.
t 94081 [2«. 6d.l

LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

DAVIS

PREFACE.

The list of trees submitted is imperfect, and the following
explanation shows how and why it is so.

All the illustrations are based upon the illustrations con-
tained in my Forest Flora of Nezv South Wales, which is
still in progress, and sixty parts (ten parts to a volume),
dealing with individual trees,* and containing a number of
x\ppendices treating of general forestry subjects, have now
appeared.

Only a selection has been made, and if a further edition
be called for, additional trees will be dealt with. In its
incomplete state it is believed that it will form a handy
volume, showing the state of our knowledge of certain trees
in New South Wales, and perusal of it may lead to additions
by forest officers and others.

Much of the information concerning abundance and
distribution of individual species can only be amplified when
a forest survey is undertaken.

In January, 1906, I published in the Agricultural Ga-jCtte
of Nezv South Wales a list of 521 trees indigenous to New
South Wales, and additional ones have been discovered
since then. So that the subject, in this richly-endowed
State, is a sufficiently vast one. Some of the trees are,
however, not of sufficient economic importance to be dealt
with in this Handbook ; on the other hand, there is a for-
midable array of exotic trees either introduced into New
South Wales or considered desirable for experiment.

J.H.M.

*The complete list (contained in Parts 1-60), as also the New South
Wales species dealt with in Parts 1-30 of my "Critical Revision of the
Genus Eucalyptus," will be found at p. 15.

CONTENTS.

PHASES OF FORESTRY—

Articles in the Forest Floni of New South Wales 7

Tim be r a necessity 9

Forest wealth of State 9

Supply of good timbers not unlimited 9

Supply of seasoned Colonial timbers true to name 10

Felling timber at proper season 10

Seasoning depots 11

An optimum for Australian timbers 12

CLASSIFICATION 14

TREES DESCRIBED IN FOREST FLORA OF NEW SOUTH WALES, AND

THE CRITICAL RE\^SION OF THE GENUS EUCALYPTUS 15

«BOUPING OF THE TIMBERS DEALT WITH 20

The Iron barks —

Eucalyptus jianxculata (White or Grey Ironbark) 22

siderophloia (Broad-leaved Ironbark) 23

sideroxylon (Mugga ; a Red Ironbark) 24

Red Gum Series —

Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum) ^„. 26

bicohr (Black or Flooded Box) 27

mi crotffxa (Coolahah) 30

saligna (New South Wales Blue Gum) 32

resin(/em (Red Mahogany) 34

punctata (Grey Gum) 36

loTujifolia (Woolly Butt) 37

Anomalous Group —

Eucalyptus microcorys (Tallow-wood) 40

macwilato (Spotted Gum) 43

corymbosa (Bloodwood) 49

Stringybarks —

Eucalyptus wacrorrAywcAa (Red Stringybark) 52

capitellala (Brown Stringybark) 54

eugenioides (White Stringybark) 56

Black BUTT Series —

Eucalyptus pUularis {True Blackbutt) 59

Muelleriana (Yellow Stringybark) 61

acmenioides (White Mahogany) <'i

goniocalyx (Mountain Gum) 64

(Sieftmana (Yowut or Moim tain Ash) 66

obliqua (Broad-leaved Messmate) 68

Pale Boxes —

Eucalyptus Aem/pWota (White or Grey Box) 73

Bosistoana (Bosisto's Box) 74

melliodora (Yellow Box) 76

populifolia (Bimble Box) 78

Myrtles —

Angophora lanceolata (Smooth Barked Apple) 80

Tristania conferta (Brush Box) 82

Melaleuca leucadendron (Broad-leaved Tea-tree) 86

Syncarpia laurifolia (Turpentine) 88

Wattles (Acacia). Dry Country AVattles. page.
(a) Flowers in heads —

Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall) 94

homalophylla (Yarran) 96

Cambagei ( Gidgee ) 99

harpophylla ( Brigalow) 100

saUcina {Oooha,) 105

(6) Flowers in spikes —

Acacia aneura (Mulga) 105

Cunninglmmii (Bastard Myall) 107

Easterk New South Wales Wattles —

Acacia pycnantha (Broad-leaved or Tanning Wattle) 109

^cwmweTOs (Mountain Hickory) Ill

melanoxylon ( Blac kwood) ^ 115

binervata (Two-veined Hickory) 119

decurrens (Black, Green, and Silver Wattle) 120

Baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle) , 133

The Cedar Group —

Cedrela australis (Red Cedar) 135

Dysoxylum {Dysoi:ylon) Fraseranum (Rosewood) 140

Muelleri (Red Bean) 14G

Oivenia cepiodora (Onion Wood) 147

JUelia Azedarach (White Cedar) 148

The Pines —

Araucaria Cunninghaniii (Richmond River Pine) '. 152

Callitris (Cypress Pines) 155

Podocarpus data (She Pine) 170

The Silky Oaks —

Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak) 173

striata (Western Beefwood) 176

Stenocarpus salignus (A Beefwood) 177

Macadamia ternifolia (Queensland Nut) 178

TflE She Oaks (Casuarina) —

Casuarina lepidophloia (Belah) 182

glauca (Salt-water Swamp Oak) 185

suberosa (Black She Oak) 187

Cunninqhamiana (River Oak) 188

stricta (Drooping She Oak) 190

Luehtnanni (Bull Oak) 193

torulosa (Forest Oak) 194

The Teak Group —

FUndersia australis (Native Teak) 196

JBenneWiana (Crow's Ash or Bogum-Bogum) 198

Oxleyana (Yellow -wood).... 200

Schottiana (Cudgerie) 202

Miscellaneous —

Gnielina Leichhardtii (White Beech) 205

Ceratopetalum apetalum (Coach Wood) 208

Doryphora sassafras (Sassafras) 209

Litscea 7'eticulata (Bolly Gum) 210

Castanospermum australe (Black Bean) 212

Alphitonia excelsa (Red Ash) 214

Ficus rubiginosa (Rusty Fig) '. 218

Phases of Forestry.

The good forester is a many-sided man, wlio keeps liis eyes open in r^ard
lo various asiiects of his living' tree and other iilant charges and their
utilities, and matters which arise to the detriment of the same. Similar
remarks may be made in regard to timber and other products. Some
attemj)t has been miade to draw attention to such questions in certain
articles, as folloAVS, which have appeared in my " Forest Flora of New South
.Wales." The number of the volume and the page is quoted in each case.

An accurate knowledge of trees and timbers is the very foundation of
forestry, and yet how often do we find people engaged in one branch or other
of the industry with only the most casual knowledge of the trees of this
country. I have sometimes found it necessary to be almost apologetic jn
stating this truism, and suggesting that it would be desirable to bring about
a different state of things.

1. " A Forest Survey wanted for New South Wales " (iv, 113).

, On the principle that every business man takes stock of his goods.

2. " The Giant Trees of Australia *' (ii, 161).

Gives particTilars of the largest recorded trees of Australia, with
especial reference to those of Victoria, and states that the largest trees
in the world are Sequoia Wellingtonia, of California.

5. " The Vertical Growth of Trees " (iv, 123).

Given two nails driven into the same tree at different heights, will
they become further apart as time goes on?

4. " Sand-drifts in Western New South Wales " (iv, 155).
" The Sand-drift Problem in New South Wales " (vi, 164).

I have expressed the opinion that the problem, which is dealt with at
som'e length, is a forestry question rather than an engineering question,
and should bo dealt with by forestry officers.

.J. " Note on the Relations between the Geological Formation and the
Vegetation which grows upon it" (v, 138).

A resume of the present state of our knowledge on a subject to which
foresters are invited to contribute their experience.

6. "Forests considered in their Relation to Rainfall and the Conservation
of Moisture" (vi, 95).,

This article deals at some length with the subject that is often briefly
referred to as " Forests and Rainfall." It is of paramount imi)ortance
to the forester.

^. "Trees Carved by Aborigines" (iv, 13).
' The aborigines are fast passing away, and many of the trees carved

' by them (in cemeteries, single graves, bora grounds) are disappearing,
i owing to the ravages of insects and fungi, bush fires, and cultivation
undertaken by the white man. The forester can not only record and
' photograph these trees, but is competent to express an opinion as to
' the species of tree.

8. " Wood used by the Aborigines for the purpose of procuring Fire "
(iv, 135).

A matter of ethnological interest only, but still not to be neglected.

9. " Aboriginal ■ Methods of Procuring Water" (vi, 14).

From trees and vines. It is conceivable that, in some cases, the
information thus obtained may be of real value to the traveller suffering:
from thirst. But whether such information is of direct practical
application or not, anjy authenticated information concerning th&
aborigines should be cherished by us.

10. "Fish Poisons of the Australian Aborigines" (vi, 31).
Most of them are products of trees and shrubs.

11. A Few Notes on Saponins '' (Poisonous "Vegetable Soaps ") (vi, 55).
These two papers may be taken together, for often the active principle

in the pods, twigs, or bark of a tree, which causes the stupefaction or
death of fish when they are thrown into the water, is a saponin.

12. " Timbers which cause Irritation of the Skin and Mucous Membrane""
(v, 174).

This is a subject of which but little is known, since information in
regard to such effects in Australian timbers has only been collected of
recent years, and obviously we are only on the threshold of the subject.
As in the case of herbaceous plants which cause irritation of the skin, it
would appear that some people are immune to this kind of irritation,,
at all events for long i)eriods.

13. "Enemies of Trees" (vi, 209).

Classified under the headings : Meteorological, Fires, Soil, Parasites,
Animals, Miscellaneous. This subject, although of vast importance to
the forester, has been little dwelt upon in Australia, and foresters are
invited to record their experiences in regard to the causes which,
contribute to the decay of individual trees and of forest areas.

14. " Marine Wood-borers," by C. Hedley, F.L.S. (vi, 266).

The relative powers of resistance of certain timbers to wood-borers
in salt water is verv^ little known, or at least recorded, and Mr. ITedley's
paper is of considerable importance.

16. "Birds and Anim'als as Aids to the Forester " (iv, 116).

A brief note on a subject which will have more importance as the
attention of foresters and other nature students gets drawn to it.

IC. " Twist in Australian Timber " (iv, 15). ,

A discussion of the question as to the extent to which winds and the
sun, acting on the heads of living trees, are responsible for the twist
observable, more or less, in timber. '

17. " Walking-sticks and Umbrella-handles from Xew South Wales **
(iv, 132).

Attention is drawn to the possibilities of a minor industry.

18. " Gum-leaves, sometimes edible, sometimes not "' (see p. 27)v

Attention is drawn to the contradictory statements in regard to the
fodder-value of certain trees.

19. "On some Natural Grafts between Indigenous Trees'' (vi, 79).

20. " Tree-planting for Shade and Ornament in New South Wales, with
especial reference to Municipal requirements" (vi, 290).

Timber a Necessity.

Timber is a necessity of life. We use it to cook our food, to put our food
upon ; we sit upon it. It is the main constituent of our furniture — whether
a bare necessity or a luxury; it is of this material our houses are largely,
sometimes almost entirely, built. Our newspapers, books, and writing
materials are mainly composed of it. True, the hulls of ships are but little
built of it nowadays, but ornamental and other timbers are used in increasing
abundance in their fixtures. The amount of special timbers used for horse,
electric, and steam carriages is simply enormous; and the list might be
multiplied indefinitely.

We have many special requirements for timber in this State, and there are
requirements of people in other countries that can probably be met by
timbers of New South Wales.

Forest Wealth of State.

I have no desire to use the language of exaggeration, but I can safely say
that New South Wales is one of the most richly-endowed coimtries in the
world as regards its forest wealth. I am an old ciirator of a technological
museum, and have been a persistent traveller in Australian forests. I should
be sorry to say that our timber supplies are unlimited — far from it ; but, with
■our small population, we have large areas of practically virgin forest ; and, in
many places, as the trees are cut out, numbers of young trees are coming
forward and flourish without hindrance, thus ensuring the stability of the
supply of many of our timbers.

With few exceptions, most of our trees cannot be artificially replanted on
& large scale under present economic conditions; what is chiefly required
is conservation — protection of the young growth from damage by animals,
fires, &c., and, in certain cases, what is called " thinning," which consists
in destroying or weeding out sickly, malformed, or overcrowded saplings.
Conservation should be our main standby. ^

Most of our valuable timbers are found in the coast and coast-mountain
■districts. A few, e.g., the cypress pines of the western districts, and the
ironbarks of Dubbo (and thence to the north-east), are found in the drier
parts of the State.

Supply of Good Timbers not unlimited.

The demand for our timbers has been so active during the last few years,
and fashion has set in largely for a very few species, that a word of caution
is necessary. We have large quantities of excellent timber, there is no
doubt of that, but not so much tl^it we can afford to cut recklessly, and
neglect conservation of young growths. We must not forget that the giant
trees, the monarchs of our forests, which have yielded large quantities of
high-class timber, are being rapidly cut out. They have been maturing
their timber through the ages, practically un interfered with by the
aboriginal lord of the soil, and are no more to be replaced than can the
nuggets which men can do nothing to produce; he simply reaps a harvest
which he has not sown. The cutting out of the forest without replanting or
^conservation of young forest growths is simply living upon capital, and,
continuing the metaphor, we should seriously ask ourselves if we are estab-
lishing an adequate sinking fund.

10

Supply of Seasoned Colonial Timbers time to Name.

As a consistent advocate for many years of the use of colonial
timbers, I have become familiar with the oft-repeated objection, " What is
the good of advocating the use of colonial timbers when we rarely can buy
any already seasoned ? " It is a fact that very few varieties of seasoned
timbers are kept in stock by our timber merchants. Timber merchants are
like other tradesmen in endeavouring to keep a stock of any article that
will sell, but we cannot expect them to run their business on sentiment;
in other words, to convert their timber yards into sample museums. Conse-
quently, in the first place, we require to educate our own people in regard
to the merits of our timbers, and then they will endeavour to use more of
them. I think that, as regards the general public, a certain amount of
sentiment would not be ovit of place in endeavouring to encourage the use
of colonial timbers. I mean that, having satisfied himself that a certain
colonial itmber is suitable for a certain purpose, the Australian citizen
might well put himself to a little trouble to cause his want to be supplied.
2si^ew timbers of a new country have to work their way to public recognition,
and it is often far easier to continue to use an old and well-tried timber than
to use an Australian substitute, however meritorious.

Felling Timber at Proper Season.

It is a matter of regret that, in the Australian States, timber-trees aro
felled the whole year round. It is generally accepted as a fact that timber
from trees full of sap is more prone to warp and split, and even to decay,
than timber from trees at rest — i.e., when the sap is down. No general rule
can be laid down for all trees, all districts, and all seasons; but the simplest
guide to the timber-getter is, where possible, to avoid cutting when the tree
is seen to be bringing forth new leaves. It would not be possible, under the
present conditions of the timber trade, to carry out this rule in its entirety,
but sawmillers would find it to their' advantage to pay some attention to
the matter, as it would improve the quality of their timber. The period of
rest is, of course, usually winter with most trees. Perhaps midwinter would
not be the very best season for felling our trees; in Europe oak is felled
just as the leaf-buds are bursting, the timber being then much more elastic
than if felled in the depth of winter. Of course, our winters are far milder
than those in N'orthern Europe, but we do not know that we may implicitly
follow European practice. I have made these few remarks with the view to
initiate a discussion on the best season for felling our trees. If the State
were to establish timber depots, it might exercise some control over the
periods for felling timbers in the different districts. At the present time,
timber-getters and sawmillers will admit readily enough that timber should
not be cut all the year round; but with the present cut-it-while-you-wait
system which obtains, a reserve stock of logs is not felled (say) in the
winter, to be hauled subsequently; but as a log is required it is felled there
and then. With a proper system of scientific forestry we ought to have a
close season for timber, just as we have for game-birds.

The Telegraph Department, in brush-cutting its lines, finds it necessary
to study the seasons, otherwise the last state of the job is worse than the
first; but, generally speaking, those who cut our logs do not trouble about
such refinements as that. It is also to be borne in mind that, in the same
forest, different species may be in different states of development as regards
rest. :■

11

"^' Seasoning Depots.

' 'A large proportion of our timber consists of hardwood, wliich is cheap,
and used for rough purposes. Such timber is cut at all seasons, sa\ni at all
.seasons, and it often finds its way to the consumer direct from the saw. It
is not to be surprised at that such timber often warps and splits in a pro-
voking degree. The wonder would be if it did not.' The remedies for this
state of things seem to be: —

1. The observance of proper seasons for the felling of timber.

2. The establishment of seasoning depots.

No. 1 has already been touched upon. As regards the second, various
Government Departments, such as Railways, Eoads and Bridges, Harbours
and Rivers, Government Architect, &c., use such large quantities of timber
that it would be desirable if they could adopt concerted action to establish
seasoning depots in various parts of the State, and draw supplies as required.
I^rivate persons could supply timber (cut at the proper season) in the log
or sawn, and this could be stored in the Government seasoning sheds, and
drawn upon for pviblic works as required. In this way the use of green
timber could be reduced to a minimum, while the use of open sheds would
enable the timber to be classified a^ regards kinds and qualities to a far
more accurate extent than it is at present. To initiate and establish these
reforms could not be done without expense, but I feel sure it would be wisi'
expenditure, which woidd be recouped over and over again in the improved
find more uniform (piality of the timber. The example would, I feel sure,
soon be followed by private enterprise. Let us now turn to the case of the
private supplier and user.

I know something of the practical difficulties which beset a timber
merchant in Sydney, for instance, in obtaining a supply of a certain
timber growing in a forest (say) hundreds of miles away — procuring it both
true to name and in a seasoned condition. I have often pondered over the
matter, and have wondered whether, seeing that the State is the principal
]iroprietor of forests, and that it has already a staff of forest officers.
Avhether State depots (under lease or otherwise) might not be established,
where stocks of timber might be held, such timber having been felled at the
]jroper time, seasoned for a suitable period, and branded with a mark which
Avould guarantee its true name. To carry out this plan would necessarily
require a State subsidy for a time, but I think that, under all the circum-
stances, a reasonable subsidy would be justifiably spent. In a few years T
feel convinced that the advantage of seasonably felling, of seasoning, and
of properly naming our timbers, Avould become so apparent that private
enterprise would take the matter up, and the State could withdraw from
Mhat might, at first sight, appear interference with private enterprise. W(>
are at the present time giving our producers object lessons in many ways,
iiud I do not think that a little State guidance in regard to the utilisatipn
of our forest wealth would be either illogical or imdesirable. It is, of
course, understood that in making the above crude suggestions I am only
expressing my individual opinion.

I published such diffident remarks in the year 1904, and as one who has
earnestly looked forward to a Forest Department with power behind it, such
as we have at present, I feel sure that something will be done, if only to
cause the brush timbers, many of which we believe to be useful, but which
are at present swept away without adequate test, to have the best trial that
can be given under the circumstances.

12

An Optimum for Australian Timbers.

I wrote the following note in " Australia To-day," of 1st Nevember, 1911,
p. 93:— "The stringybark {Eucalyptus oUiqua) of Tasmania is used for
wood-pavmg, and while Western Australians will not agree with the judg-
ment of a Tasmanian expert that ' it is preferable to jarrah/ the statement is
evidence of the local esteem in which it is held, and gives me an opportunity
of reiterating the fact, of which abundant proof has come before me, that
certain timbers are their best in particular States. . . . E. olliqua seems
to attain its best development in Tasmania."

The Eev. J. W. Dwyer, of Temora, wrote to me: "Be Eucalyptus.
Siuartiana. I often heard from farmers at Bowna, ,near Albury, where it
grows well on flats, that for fencing-posts it is pretty lasting if put into the
same kind of ground in which it grows, but not elsewhere, which may
account for the rosy report given by one of your correspondents."

Mr. William Hogarth, of Momba, Wilcannia, communicated to me nearly
thii-ty years ago the following observation on the durability of timbers : — "' In
any locality, wherever the particular kind of tree predominates, that timbei?
will last longest in the ground — ^for instance, the Mulga where Mulga
predominates — that is, in dry situations, while in damp situations, where
' Box ' predominates, the Mulga soon rots, and the Box. lasts longer in the
ground. Where Oak (Casuarina) predominates, Mulga and Box will rot
sooner than Oak, and so on." Mr. Hogarth made these observations,
having had many old fences to pull down on his run, and in putting up
new ones he acts as much as possible keeping this in «view. These con-
clusions have been combated by some gentlemen from Western New South
Wales, to whom the author broached the subject. The matter is, however,,
worthy of ventilation.

The following was written to me in 1889 by Mr. W. Baeuerlen, then
Collector for the Technological Museum: — "Mr. William Beach, of Dele-
gate Saw-mills, tells mie that any timber put in the ground as posts, &c.,
will last much longer if put in upside down, i.e., always the lower end of
the post turned up. He says many years ago he put up a sapling fence,
and in the usual w^ay dug holes for the ' dog-logs.' Wet weather came on,,
when he thought, as the ground was soaked, he could get on quicker with
his work if he could drive the ' dog-logs ' into the ground without digging
holes. In order to do so he naturally turned the ' dog-logs ' upside down,
as the thinner end would drive easier. The result was that the ' dog-logs *
turned upside down lasted six or seven years longer than the ones put in
in the usual way. Acting upon that experience when putting up a fence
again, he put the posts of stringybark (Euc. macrorrhyncha) all upside
down, with the result that after twenty-five years the posts are standing
yet; to all appearance quite sound, while posts put in in the regular way
at the same time have rotted away long ago."

Any man who can contribute any observation which will enable the life
of one or more of our timbers to be extended is a benefactor to the country,
just as is the man who makes " two blades of grass " (two trees) grow where
formerly only one grew.

I have suggested that every species of tree has an " optimum " district —
that is to say, a district in which that tree grows better than anywhere
else; in other words, produces the most valuable product. We should
endeavour to learn the optimum district for each species, in order that w«
may search for other districts offering similar conditions, and find standing
timber, or cultivate the species under those conditions.

>We know that certain plants vary exceedingly in regard to their product
when grown in different districts, e.g., champagne grapes and lavender, and
we have much to learn in regard to variation in the timber of the same
species of tree when grown in different districts.

For instance, Eucalyptus ohUqua, to which I referred at the beginning of
this article, yields a product which is deservedly esteemed in parts of
Tasmania, but I have known the same timber condemned as being of vferj
little value in a certain district of New South Wales.

I have known high words and sharp controversy to arise between officials
of two Australian States in the discussion of the merits of a certain timber.
Perhaps both were right, but they were certainly arguing about the same
tree growing in a district which promoted its best development and one
"which certainly did not. We must, therefore, get away from the idea that a
species as we know it is always very good or very bad. Both Jones and
Brown may be right. The rose that we have imported from England at
great cost because experts speak so highly of it may, in our garden, turn
out a very disappointing thing.

I have touched lightly and very imperfectly on a subject which is
obviously of very considerable importance to the Australian forester, many
,of whose data he will have to find out himself, for he certainly will not
obtain them from books.

u

Classification.

The classification of the commercial timbers of New South Wales is still
»n the tentative stage.

The vast majority of our commercial timbers belong to the genus
I'jucalyptus, which itself belongs to the family Myrtacea;, which includes
eucli timbers as Turpentine and Brush-box, which, for want of a better name,
I have grouped as myrtles. At this place I quote the following endeavours I
iiave made during the last twenty years to Avork out a grouping of our com-
jncrcial timbers. I invite attention to what I have written, as the subject
must be discussed.

1. " Notes on the Commercial Timbers of New South Wales " (first
edition, 1895). At page 6 was submitted a classification of — •

1. Ironbarks. 5. Cedar, Beech, and Pine. i

; 2. Pale Hardwoods. 6. Silky Oak, She Oak, &e.

.*1. Red Hardwoods. T. Black Bean, Myall, Blackwood.

4. Turpentine and Brush-box. 8. Miscellaneous Brush timbers.

2. " New South Wales, the Mother Colony of the Australias," Govern-
ment Printer, 1896 (see page 168). Here I amplified the previous classifi-
cation a little.

3. In '' The Forests of New South Wales.'' a lecture delivered before the
Jloyal Society of New South Wales, and reported in the Agriculiural
'Gazette for July, 1901, I propose the classification —

Ironbarks. Pale Hardwoods,

Boxes. Red Hardwoods.

Stringybarks. Turpentine and Brush-box, &c.

■4. " Forestry in New South Wales." University of Sydney Extension
T^cture, reported in the Agricultural Gazette for December, 1905, page
11H.5.

In this lecture, at page 1193, I made new suggestions for classification.

T suggested a new grouping of Blackbutt, Pale Box, and suggested that the

name Jarrah should include a number of red timbers, including Grej'^

,<}"mns. Forest Mahogany, Woollybutt, Blue Gum, the Red Boxes and Red

'jGums.

Sach a suggestion as this is worthy of consideration if the question of
the reduction of the number of names for somewhat similar timbers on this
continent is to be gone into.

The Wattles (Acacia) seem a sufficiently distinctive group.

The Pines include the Cypress Pines, and also the She or Brown Pine
}(Podocarpus), which has a very different fruit.

The Silky Oak is a name I propose for such trees as belong to the
^Proteacecp, a family very largely developed in Australia.

p]very Australian knows the She Oak (Casuarina) ; this is a natural
group, and nearly all the members have timbers with an oak-like grain.

""J'he Cedar group includes our well-known Australian Cedar (Cedrela)
^nd other trees such as Rosewood, Red Bean, &c., which also belong to the
faniily Meliacece.

Then we have the Australian Teak group (FUnderisa) , from the best-
known member, Australian Teak (F. australis).

IS

The inevitable " Miscellaneous " will for the purpose of the prewenl
edition of the present part include such dissimilar trees as our White Beech,
Sassafras, Coachwood, Black Bean, Red Ash, Bolly Gum, and Rusty Fig.

As this Handbook deals in the future with a greater selection of timbers,
the classification may be modified and improved; but I thought it well at
the present stage to adopt a provisional classification before submittini;; oHfe
for official adoption.

In the classification of timbers, as iu other phases of forestry in New.
South Wales, we are still in the pioneering stage, but as an old worker, wvth
thirty-five years' work on the subject behind me, it is a great pleasure to nee
that, beginning Avith 1917, progress in forestry work in New South Wales
will be made by leaps and bounds.

The following list of readily accessible illustrations of trees and sbrubs
of New South W^ales forests will be handy for reference : —

Tree.

Acacia adunca

amoena

aneura

aulacocarpa

Baileyana

Bakeri

binervala

brachybotrya

Burkittii .•

buxifolia

Cambagei

Cunninghamii

cyperophylla

decora

decurrens

doratoxylon

Dorothea

data

excelsa

fimbriata

floribunda

gUidiiform is

glaucescens

hukeoidea

harpophylla

homalophyUa

implexa.

longifolia

Maidenii

melanoxylon

obt usaia

obtusata, var. Hamiltoni

pendula

penninervis

prominens

jn/cnantfia

rigens

rubida

salicina

A wattle

Mulga

Brush ironbark

Cootamundra wattle..

Baker's wattle

Two-veined hickory

A blue bush

Burkitt's wattle !

Box-leaved wattle

Gidgee

Bastard myall or Kurracabah

Red Mulga

Western silver wattle

Black, green and silver Watties

Currawang

Dorothy's acacia r«...

Cedar wattle

Ir onwood

Fringed wattle

Sally

Sword wattle

Coast myall

Western black wattle

BrigaloW

Yarran

A hickory

_Sydney golden wattle

Maiden's wattle

Blackwood

Hamilton's wattle

Weeping myall

Mountain hickory

Prominent glanded wattle

Broad-leaved wattle

The Nealie

Red-leaved wattle

Cooba

Figured In —

NSW (N.S.W.

■ species only).

Part
46
50
26
27
31
29
25
53
59
44
32
36
60
45
23
37
55
22
33
42
57
52
38
51
34
35
41
,56
58
15
47
48
16
24
43
28
30
49
39

Part.

16

Tree.

Acacia undulifolia

Ackama Muelleri

Albizzia pruinosa

Alphitonia excelsa

Alstonia constrida

Amoora nitidula

AngopJwra lanceolata

Aphananthe philippinensis

Araucaria Cunninghamii

Atalaya hemiglauca

Baloghia lucida

Bankaia cemula

collina

ericifolia

integrifolia

latifolia

marginata

paludosa s^^,,... ^. ..^^.>. .

serrata

spinulosa ...^

Barklya syringifolia

Callicoma serratifolia

■Callitris calcarata

columellaris

cupressijonnis

Madeayana ,.

Muelleri .,

propinqua

robusta

verrucosa ,

Castanospermum australe

Casiiarina Ounninghatniana

equisetifolia, var. incana

glauca ,

inophloia

lepidophloia '

Luehmanni

strida

suberosa

torulosa

Cedrela australis

Ceratopetalum apetahim

gummiferum

-Cinnamomum Oliveri

virens

4^ryptocarya australis

erythrozylon

foetida....

glaucescens

Meissneri

microneura

obovata

patentinervis

triplinervis

Cupania anacardioides

Doryphora sassafras

Vernacular Name.

Wave-leaved Wattle

A corkwood

Stinkwood

Red ash

A bitter bark

Bog onion

Smooth-barked apple

Native elm

Richmond Rive r or hoop pine .

Western whitewood

Brush bloodwood

A honeysuckle

A honeysuckle

Heath-leaved honeysuckle ...

White honeysuckle

Broad-leaved honeysuckle

Honeysuckle or warrock

A honeysuckle

Red honeysuckle

A honeysuckle

Original black wattle.

> Cypress pmes.

Black bean

River oak

Coast she-oak

Swamp oak

Thready-barked oak

Belah

Bull oak

Drooping she -oak

Black she-oak

Forest oak

Red cedar

Coach wood

Christmas-tree or bush

Oliver's sassafras

Native camphor laurel

Grey sassafras

Red-Wooded cryptocarya..

Stinking cryptocarya

Brown beech

The murrogun

A she-beech

Three-veined cryptocarya

A cupania

N.S.W. sassafras

Figured In-

Forest

Flora

N.S.W.

Crit. BCT.
genus Bne.

(N.S.W.
species only).

Part.

54

55

10

■ 2

2
28
11
13
35
15

7
33
38
34

8
37
36
41
32
39

8
57
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12

7
15
48
14
21
13
19
17
18
16

3

6
49
42
43
31
26
29
27
34
28

3
32
33

5

2

Part.

17

Tree.

Vernacular Name.

Figured In —

Forest
Flora
N.S.W.

Crit. Rev.

genuB Euo.

(N.S.W.

species only).

Dysoxylon Becklerianum..
Fraseraiium... .

Mueller i

jftachyphyllum.

rufiim ,

Embothritun Wickhami, var. pinnuta
Endiandra discolor ,

globosa

Muelleri

pubens

Sieberi

virens

Eucalypt us acaciceformis

ncacioides

acmenioides

affinis

atjgregata

amygdalina

Andrewsi

apiculata

Baileyana

Banksii

Baeuerleni

Baueriana

Baneriana, var. conica

Behriana ,

Benthami

bicolor

Boormani

Bosistoana

botryoides

Cnleyi

calycogona

capitellata

cinerea

Consideniana

coriacea

corymbosa

crebra

Deanei

dives

Dunnii

elceopTwra

engenioides

fruticetorum

gigaiUea

fJillii

globulus

goniocalyx...

Gunnii

hcemastorna
hcmiphloia .
incrassata. . .
Kirtoniana

Hairy dysoxylon

Rosewood

Red Beau

Apple-tree of Lord Howe Is
land.

Bastard jiencil cedar

A red silky oak

Tick wood

The ball fruit

Cork wood or till

A white apple

Black peppermint

Green malice

White mahogany ,

An ironbark box

Black gum ,

Pe ppermint

Blackbutt or Peppermint (of
New England).

Black stringy bark

Sir Joseph Banks' gum

Blue box

Fuzzy box

Broad-leaf Mallee

Cimden flooded gum
Black or flooded box

A black box

Bosisto's box

BingMlay

Caley's ironbark

Brown stringj-bark

Silve r-leave d stringy bark

The yertchuk

Wliite or cabbage gum

Bloodwood

Narrow-leaved red ironbark ...

Round-leaf blue gum

Broad-leaved peppermint

Mtcpherson Range white gum..

B- indy

Wliite stringy bark

Blue maliee

A mountain ash or gum-topped
fitringj^bark.

Gill's gum

Tasmanian blue gum

Mountain gum

Cider gum

White or scribbly gum

White or grey box

A MUlee

Part.
26
23

27
25

24
45
39
36
37
38
35
41

48
32
53

16
21

57
53
46

44
45
43

55

28

36
15
12
53

19

Part.

29
42
51

37
6

22

11

9

13

26

6

7

24
29
13

io

29

11

10

11

23

10

3

8

21

10

6

12
24

7

^4

19

8
11
20

16
18
19
26
10
11
4
29

Tree.

Vernacular Name.

Figured in —

Forest

Flora

N.S.W.

Eucalyptus leucoxylon

longifolia

Luehmunniana

Macarthuri

macrorrhyncha.

maculata

maculosa

Maideni

rmlanophloia .

melliodora

microcorys

microtheca

Muelleriana ...

niten^

numerosa

obliqua

ochrophloia

odorata

oleosa

ovata

paniculata

parvifolia

Perriniana

pilularis

piperita

Planchoniana .

polyanthemos ..

populifolia

prcecoz

propinqua

pulverulenta ...

punctata

quadrangulata

regnans

resinifera

rubusla

rubida

Rudderi

saligna

scoparia

siderophloia ...

sideroxylon

Sieberiana

Smithii

squamosa

stellulala

Stuartiana

tereticornis

Thozetiana

umbra ,

uncinata

viminalis ,

virgata

vitellina

vitrea ,

Evoiia accedens

South Australian blue gum

Woolly butt

Luehmann's Gum

Camden wcolly butt

Red stringybark

Spotted gum

A white gum

Maiden's gum

Silver-leaved ironbark

Yellow-box

Tallow-wood

The coolabah

Yellow stringybark

Silver-top gum

River white gum

Broad-leaved messmate

Napunyah

Western jieppermint

Red mallee

A swamp gum

White or grey ironbark

Perrin's gum

Blackbutt

Sydney peppermint

Bastard tallow-wood

Red box

Bimblc box

A grey gum

Grey gum

A white box

Giant gum-tree

Red mahogany

Swamp mahogany

Manna gum

Rudder's box

N.S.W. blue or flooded gum

Wallangarra white gum

Broad-leaved ironbark

Mugga : a red ironbark

Yowut or mountain ash

Gully gum

Black Saiiy

But But

Forest red gum

Thozet's gum

Whipstick mallee

Ribbon gum

A virgate-eucalypt

White-top messmate

Part

2

26

27
7

9
38
52
30

17

22
50
41
GO

31
33

24
59
47

10

18
3

39
13
34

14

11

49

25

23
9

19

Tree.

Vernacular Name.

Fiev^ Henneana

rubignosa

Flindersia auslraUs

Bennettiana .,

collina

maculosa

Oxhyana

Schottiana

Fusanus acuminatus

Oeissois Benthamii

Gmelina Leickhardtii

Qrevillea HilUana

robusta

striata

Ilalcea dactijloidea

eriantha

Fraseri

Ivoryi

leucoptera

lorea

Macraeana

salign a

vittata

Hderodendron olecefolium

Hicksbeachia pinnaiifolia

Lagunaria Patersonii

Litswa dealbata

Iiexanthus

reticulata

zeylanica

Macadamia ternifolia

Melaleuca leucadcndron

Malia Azedarach, var. australasica.

Orites excelsa ,

Owenia acidula

cepiodora

Panax elegans

Pittosporu m phillyrcBoides

Podocarpus data

Polyosma Cunninghamii

Quintinia Sieberi

Verdonii

Jihodosphcera rhodanthema

Schizomeria ovata

Scolopia Brownii

Sideroxylon australe

Siphonodon australe

Stenocarpus salignus

sinuatus

Syncarpia lauri folia

Synoum glandulosum

Tehpea oreades

speciosissima

Trislania conferta

Venlilago viminalis ,

Weinmannia rubifolia ,

A deciduous fig

A rusty fig

Native teak

Crow's ash or bogum bogum.

The Hill Flindersia

Leopard wood

Yellow-wood

Cudgerie

Quandong

Red cara been

White Beech

White yiel yiel

Silky Oak

Western beel'wood

A hakea

A hakea

Fraser's hakea

Ivory's hakea

Needlewood

A western cork tree

Macrae s hakea

Willow-leaved hakea

A needlewood

Western rosewood

Monkey nut

A white oak

The Ugaulbie

She-beech or boUy gum.

Queensland nut

Broad-leaved tea-tree

White cedar

Prickly ash or silky oak

Gruie or colane

Onion wood

Black pencil cedar

Narrow-leaved pittosporum

Brown or she-pine

Feather-wood or yeralla

Opossum wood

Yellow wood .
White cherrv

Figured In-

Black apple

Ivory wood

A beefwood

Wheel tree

Turpentine tree

Bastard rosewood

Gippsland waratah

Waratah

Brush box

Supple Jack

Bramble-leaved weinmannia.

Forest
Flora
N.S.W.

Part
14

1
17
21
22
10
19
18

4
58

9
43

1
42
48
47.
54
51
53
49
52
46
55
13
59

5
47
46
45
44
10

4
25
57
14
31

6

1

4
51
52
53

8
54
11
11
16

6
56

1
29
44
58

59

Crlt. Bov.
genus Euc.
(N.S.W.
species only

Part

20

The Ironbarks.

General Kemarks.

1. Eucalyptus paniculata (Wliite or Grey Ironbark).

2. Eucalyptus siderophloia (Broad-leaved Ironbark).

3. Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Mugga; a Eed Ironbark).

^ The Ironbarks form sucli a natural group that I think it will be best to
give a preliminary account of them, and then a few notes on the siDocies
under present consideration. —

We have six ironbarks, three of them' of especial value. Timbers of this
class, are so important that it will be interesting to discriminate them.
There is a good deal of confusion in regard to the local names given to
ironbarks, and the names I suggest for the various species seem to me the least
objectionable. At the same time, the names " iSTarrow-leaved Ironbark " and
" Broad-leaved Ironbark " are too cumbersome for ordinary use, and certainly
for persons outside the State. It is probable that ironbark for the export
trade will go forward under two names only, viz.. Grey Ironbark and Eed
Ironbark, the first being the White or Grey Ironbark, and the second
including both the Narrow and Broad-leaved Ironbarks, the timbers of which
closely resemble each other. The fourth ironbark, whose botanical name is
Eucalyptus sideroxylon, is mainly an interior species, and will seldom, if
ever, be exported. A fifth species, Eucalyptus Caleyi, is chiefly confined to
New England. A sixth species, the Silver-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus
melanophloia, occurs in the drier parts of the State. Perhaps timber will
go forward under the single generic name of ironbark; if so, I wish to
impress on friends at a distance that our various species of ironbark vary a
good deal in colour, as a consignee may readily bo confused if an ironbark
be sent to him different in appearance to that to which he has been
accustomed.

Table of Ironbarks. — The following table brings out the principal points
of the four principal ironbark trees and ironbark timbers, and may help to
elucidate them : —

White or She

Narrow-leaved

Broad-leaved

Ironbark

Ironbark

Ironbark

Red Ironbark

{paniculata).

(erebra).

(siderophloia).

(sideroxylon).

Colour (darkens

Very pale ; pink

Medinm

Medium ; a little

Very dark.

with age).

when fresh,

darker than
preceding.

Strength of-

Best

Good

Good

Inferior.

timber.

Bark

Often pale-

Very deeply fur-

Often of a flaky

Dark ; deepest

coloured,

rowed, inferior

character.

furrowed.

even grey.

in depth only

Furrows often

(if at all) to

anastomosing.

sideroxylon.

Leaves

Narrow and
medium.

Very narrow ...

Very broad

Medium ; foliage
often sparse.

Flowers

White

White

White

Crimson ; some-
times creamy.

Fruits ...

Small

Very small

Rather large . . .

Large.

21

How to tell Ironbark. — It is not very easy, in a few words, to give a
definition of Ironbark. Of course, if the bark is available the thing is
simple enough, for most of the barks are characteristically furrowed and
rugged. To describe it we must tiake note of a variety of circumstances.
It is heavy (almost the heaviest of our hardwoods). It is hard, as may be
readily seen if it be touched with, a plane, or a nail be driven (or attempted
to be driven) into it. Its most characteristic property, however, is a certain
" gumminess " in working, which is well brought out under the plane, and
its horny texture. The result is that when planed, ironbark shows the
appearance of more or less parallel stria^, or lines of close textured wood,
strongly resembling horn, while between these the wood has a more open
grain, showing narrow pits which may be seen, even by the naked eye, to be
filled by a substance of a resinous texture. In some specimens it is not
easy, however, to make out these lines of homy-textured wood, but the resin
pits appear to be always present. Ironbark is more or less curly in the grain,
consequently it often gives trouble to plane to a perfectly smooth surface.,
If a blunt tool be used the ironbark tears in fairly regular blotches, while
to get a perfectly smooth surface the wood often requires to be traversed
with the plane, or even to be gone over with the steel scraper. Its hardness
and weight often preclude it from use, perhaps an advantage, as otherwise
the consumption of this timber would be inordinate.

I have obtained the following two paragraphs from a source I do not
remember, and they may be inserted here. They refer to the identification
of— . -^-

Grey Ironbark (E. paniculata).

" As sawn timber, shows absolute freedom from concentric gum veins, but
it may contain gum pockets of little magnitude; it is clean, and somewhat
glossj', arrises are decidedly sharp — it generally takes on a light-brown
colour after exposure. As hewn timber it is close, clean," and solid in
appearance, with no gum veins or scabs. Heartwood, to the eye, appears
equal in density to the true timber; and seasoning cracks are numerous, but
of slight fracture and shallow penetration. A splinter bent between the
fingers shows great resistance to fracture compared with Grey Gum or
other timbers similar in appearance to Ironbark. Splinters do not snap
with a clean fracture, but hang together on the compressed side.

" It is very hard to cut with a knife ; when so cut, it shows various shades
of colour from white to dark red, the intervening colours varying between
grey and brown; but the homy, glossy teSture of ironbark is identical
through all shades.

Red Ironbark {E. siderophloia and E. crehra).

" Two species — one, to which the remarks on Grey Ironbark apply in
almost every particular, withi perhaps the exception that the end cracks are
more pronounced; the other, inferior in nature generally, is very short in
grain, shorter even than Grey Gum; heartwood crumbles under a hammer
blow. Both timbers are true to name (herein differing from " Grey " Iron-
bark), being uniformly red throughout. General appearance of both varie-
ties (in girders) solid, glazed surface, of a rich dark-red colour."

Principal Uses. — Ironbark is the king of New South Wales hardwoods,
in fact it is not excelled in any part of the continent for combined strength
and durability. It is extensively used in bridge construction, for railway
sleepers, for posts, for naves, spokes, shafts, and framing, by the waggon
and carriage builder for large beams in building, particularly in stores for

22

heavy goods; in a word, wherever great strength is required. For such
purposes as raihvay sleepers it will last an indefinite period, and in many
cases has to be taken \ip, not because it shows signs of decay from exposure
on the permanent-way, or disintegration, because of the vibration to which
it has been subjected, but because holes have been made in the sleeper by
the renewal of bolts and spikes. I have seen specimens of sleepers which
have borne the heaviest traffic of the main line, near Sydney, for twenty-five
years, and which are as sound as the day they were laid.

Eucalyptus paniculata, Sm.

White on Grey Iroxbark.

Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus, from two Greek words — eu (well), Icalypto
(I cover) — in allusion to the little cap, usually more or less conical, which
well covers the unexpanded flower, and which is thrown off as tlic flower
opens, Paniculata, Latin, the inflorescence being paniculate.

Vernacular Karnes. — This is usually called " White Ironbark,"' by reason
of the pale colour of its timber in comparison wuth others. For a similar
reason it is often called " She Ironbark." The term " She " in "this connec-
tion does not imply inferiority of strength (as the term " She " does, as a
rule in Australia, as applied to timbers), since this is the strongest of timber
of the ironbarks; it refers to its paleness. It is also called " Grey Ironbark.''
On the South Coast I have known it to be called " Red Ironbark," because
of its pale red colour. The fact is that Eucalypts vary in the colour of their
timber just as they do in every other character.

Leaves. — This species is not an abundant yielder of oil, so that the iron-
harks felled for timber are not likely to have their leafy tops utilised for
distillation.

Timber. — E. paniculata is the ironbark usually called Wliite or Grey
Ironbark in the coast districts. It is, however, also called Red Ironbark in.
the Moruya and Wagonga districts and other places.

The best white ironbark is very pale, the hardest of ironbarks, and cuts
almost like horn ; some of the same species from the Moruya district is of a
medium red colour, not unlike Sydney blue gum in tint. It is to white
ironbark of good quality that all the encomiums which have been passed on
ironbark may be attributed. At the same time, timber but little inferior
may be produced by some of the other ironbarks.

Size. — ^Usually a tree of mediiun size, say 60 or 70 feet in height, with a
diameter of 2 to 4 feet; it exceptionally attains a greater size.

Habitat. — It is chiefly found in New South Wales, extending practically
along the whole of the coastal strip. I have obtained it almost from the
.Victorian border. It extends to southern Queensland.

It prefers ridges, often ironstone ridges, growing on dry, poor land, of
very little use for any other purpose. Just as hard struggles in his
younger days bring out what is best in a man— his grit and cjuality — so we
find, as a rule scarcely admitting of exception, that timber grown under
"■ hard " conditions is better than timber growing more luxuriously as regards
soil and moisture.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE .10.

A. Twig, showing buds, flowers, and fruits. The foliage Is often

pendulous.

B. Cluster of fruits of the size often seen.

c. Fruits of the smaller kind, by no means rare.

F. Fl., pi, 30.

EUCALYPTUS PANICULATA, Sm. (White or Grey Ironbark.)

23

Eucalyptus siderophloia^ Benth.

The Broad-leaved Ironbark.

A " coarse " species, that is to say, having coarse fruits (as compared with
the other Iroubarks, paniculata and crehra) and coarsely-furrowed bark.
Altogether a very sturdy tree, reminding one, in this respect, of the British
Oak.

There is a glaucous form (var, glauca, Deane and Maiden) which goes
under the name of " Blue-leaf Ironbark " and " Broad-leaf Ironbark " in the
Dubbo district.

Botanical Name. — Slderopliloia, from two Greek words — sideros (iron),
and phJoia (bark) — in reference to the common Australian name for such
trees.

r

Vernacular Names. — " Broad-leaved Ironbark." Perhaps this is the most
distinctive name for this species, a characteristic by which it may be readily
distinguished, particularly in young trees. It is often called " Bed Iron-
bark," particularly from northern localities.

Flowers. — The buds are often, when young, of the " egg-in-egg-cup "
shape — that is to say, the operculum is of noticeably less diameter than the
calyx. (See figure.) The bud is commonly beaked.

Fruits. — The fruits have generally exsert valves (teeth, some people call
them), which is usually quite sufficient to distinguish this from other
Ironbarks.

Bar!,-. — Tlic ridges of bark common to all Ironbarks are flattest in this
species — that is to say, in other Ironbarks they are sharper and more conical
in section.

Timber. — Coming to tlie particular Ironbark of which Ave are speaking,
the timber has the highest reputation for strength and durability, and is
used for large beams in stores for heavy goods, railway sleepers, and other
purposes where great strength is required. It is also iised for dray poles.
Its extreme hardness renders it difficult to work. It is largely used for
spokes.

The Ironbark of the Clarence is not liked as compared with southern
Ironbark, as it is inclined to split and shell.

Speaking of this Ironbark, chiefly from the Manning Biver district, the
late Mr. Augustus Rudder Avrote: —

The mature tres are generally pipy, and the colour of the wood is red. The
tinilK?r of this Iroubark is strong, liard, dense, and hetxvy. but in lasting quality
Is not always reliable, iis 1 have repeatedly seen it quite rotten after ten or
lifteen years, but this is not usual. It is very plentiful in i)laces, in the
Clarence River district in particular, but in these parts the timber is of inferior
quality, especially on the ridges, where the trees are stuntetl and badly grown.
For railway sleepers this timber is fairly good, but is scarcely to be recom-
mended in the round, as a rule, for bridge-work, as its central heartwood is
not reliable, and it is very subject to the white ant, more so than any other
hardwood I know of.

Size. — This is a large tree, attaining the height of 100 feet, with a
diameter of 4 feet and more. Being a timber in such demand, most of the
largest trees have long since been cut down in readily accessible places.

24

TIahitat. — It occurs from the Clyde Mountain in the south, along the coast
ranges to North Queensland. Westward it is found as far as Wellington and
Dubbo, also at Mudgee. With E. crebra it is fourad from Dubbo to the
North-Western line.

I shall be glad if correspondents will send me specimens from as many
southern and western (New South Wales) localities as possible.

Mr. A. Murphy has collected it from Rockhampton, Queensland, and his
specimens are precisely similar to the Sydney ones.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 148.

' I Sucker-leaves from Smithfield, uear Parramatta.

c. Twig in bud.

u. Fruits from tlie same braucli.

E. Smaller fruits from Smithfield.

Eucalyptus sideroxyhn, A. Cliiiti.
The Mugga; a Red Ironbaek.

Botanical Name.. — Sideroxylon, from two Greek words — sideros (iron),
^ylon (wood) — in allusion to the hardness of the timber. It is an ironbark,
and the timber of the one now under review is one of the softest of the
Ironbarks.

• Vernacular Names. — Its aboriginal name is in very common use, and it is
also known as " Red Ironbark " because of its timber, but the timbers of
•other Ironbarks (e.g., siderophloia and crebra) are also red. For obvious
reasons it i« also called " Red-flowering Ironbark." Sometimes it is called
^' Black Ironbark," because of the darkness of its bark. A very common
name is " Fat Cake," or " Fat-cake Ironbark," because of the pulverulent
look of the bark, interspersed as it is with blackish kino grains, the general
appearance reminding one of a burnt greasy cake.

Flowers. — This is the New South Wales species of Eucalyptus Avhich most
frequently has red or rather pink or crimson flowers. Often, however, it
lias creamy white flowers.

Fruit. — ^The shape will be noted from the figure. A point worthy of
remark is that it has a round rim or ring round the mouth, as is often seen
in the smaller fruit of the Yellow Box (melliodora). It also has warty
•excrescences such as are seen in E. leucoxylon (from Victoria and South
Australia), in E. nvaculata (Spotted Gum), and a few others.

Baric. — The bark of this species has been referred to under " Vernacular
Names." The ultimate branchlets are smooth, while those of E. crebra
(another Red Ironbark often associated with it) are rough.

Timher. — The wood of this is the deepest in colour, and also the softest
and least valuable of the Ironbarks. The tree is often pipy and gnarled,
hut in many places it is a fine timber tree. Where one of the other Ironbarks
is available, this Ironbark suffers by comparison; nevertheless, it is a useful
timher, and is employed in public works for such purposes as railway
sleepers and posts, where long lengths are unnecessary. Frequently good
lengths cannot be obtained, and if they could the tensile strength of this
timber is not equal to that of the best Ironbark.

F. Fl.. Pl. 148.

EUCALYPTUS SIDEROPHLOIA. Benth. (Broad-leaved Red Ironbark.)

F. Fl., pi. 49.

EUCALYPTUS SIDEROXYLON, A. Cunn. (The Mugga: A Red Ironbark.)

2S:

Exudations. — Its bark contains largo quantities of kino, which also
permeates the wood.

Mr. Forester Allan, writing to me, says :

I obtained the gum from the iroubark by boiling the bark and straining the-
liquor, after which I reduced it to a thick consistency. Large quantities can
be obtained l)y this process at little cost.

It will probably be found useful for tanning purposes.

Size. — It attains a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 4 feet, though
usually it is much smaller. Foresters Postlethwaite, of Grenfell, and
Marriott, of Dubbo, both quote the height as 100 feet and the diameter as-
2 feet. Forester Martin, formerly of Dubbo, gave the height as 40 to OO
feet, and the diameter as 18 inches to 3 feet.

Hahitat. — It is confined to New South -Wales and Victoria and to tracts-
of country in Queensland adjoining New South Wales. In New South
[Wales it occurs in iha bush between Parramatta and Liverpool, in paddocks
at South Cteek, and in the neighbourhood of Kichmond, and again beyond
the Blue Mountains, near Mudgee and Wellington, and elsewhere, being
widely diffused over the auriferous districts of the western and south-
western interior. It is rare in the southern part of the State, becoming
more plentiful on the ranges near Moruya; getting more plentiful further
north. It is usually found on poor, sterile ranges, and is usually unaccom-
panied (except in the Dubbo district) by any other spectes of Ironbark.

This Ironbark is commonest in the Central Division of New South Wales^
and its " curving boundary' " to the west (as far as I know it) is a line-
roughly drawn through Ilolbrook (near the Murray), Wagga Wagga,
Hillston. Nymagee, Cobsir, Dubbo, Narrabri, Warialda, Inverell, and thence
to the Darling Downs in Queensland. I shall be glad if correspondents will
favour me with any localities west of this boundary.

In spite of tlic reckless extravagance with which this timber has been cut,,
it is by no meana scarce, especially in some localities, a few miles from the-
coast. Wliile it is a very slow-growing tree, there is some consolation in
the fact that it usually grows in barren, rockj' country unsiiitable for
agriculture, and tberefore wholesale clearings are not made as in the case-
with many other timbers. At the same time it does not readily reafforest.

I^XPLANATION OF PLATE 49.

A. An original si)ecimen in flower collected by Allan Cunningham.

B. Seedling raised from see<l collected at Stuart Town, N.S.W.
V. Natural seedling from Coudoboliu, N.S.W.

1). Fruits from Coudoboliu Hill (whence the preceding seedling was
obtained). Observe the warts frequently seen on the fruits of
this species.

K. Fruits from Cootamuudra to Grenfell.

F. Fruits from Cabramatta, near Sydney.

26

Red Gum Series,

1. Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum).

2. Eucalyptus hicolor (Black or Flooded Box).

3. Eucalyptus microtheca (Coolabah),

4. Eucalyptus saligna (N.S.W. Blue Gum).

5. Eucalyptus resinifera (Red Mahogany).

6. Eucalyptus punctata (Grey Gum).

7. Eucalyptus longifolia (Woolly Butt).

Eucalyptus tereticornis, Sm,

' The Forest Red Gum.

Botanical Name. — Tereticornis, Latin — teres, teretis (long and round),
taper as a tree or pillar; cornu (a horn), referring to the shape of the
operculum.

Vernacular Names. — " Forest Red Gum." This tree is very closely related
to the Murray Red Gum, which is always found near watercourses or on
alluvial country. The species is, with important exceptions indicated, usually
found in open forest country, hence I recommend the adoption of the prefix
'' Forest " to Red Gum, the name by which it is very commonly loiown, with
the view to save confusion. It sometimes also goes under the name^ of
Blue and Grey Gums, and even others, but these names are best reserved for
other trees.

Varieties. — According to some this species has a number of varieties;
according to the more modem view it has in the past included a number of
distinct species. The matter is gone into in Parts xxxi and xxxii of
my " Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus."

Timber. — Of a deep red colour, hard and inlocked in the grain, heavy and
durable. Apt to warp in seasoning, and,, in common with many of its
congeners, it is very hard to work up when dry. It has some tendency to
shell off, which limits its use for such purposes as flooring and decking. It
is much esteemed for fence-posts and any underground work, its great
durability for this purpose having been long established. Used also for
naves and felloes of wheels, and for general building purposes. Its merits
and defects are miach the same as those of Murray Red Gum, and I draw
attention to it as a meritorious timber for wood-blocks. It is a valuable
timber for railway sleepers.

Size. — Say, up to 100 or 120 feet high, with a diameter of 3 or 4 foot.

Habitat. — It is chiefly confined to the coastal districts and to the eastern
slopes of the tablelands. It is a very abundant species. I give a few
illustrative localities.

Victoria. — Gippsland.

New South Wales. — Eden to Moruya, Shoalhaven River, Crookwell, north
to Sydney and Parramatta. Very near the normal on the Mudgee line;
common along the North Coast.

F. Fl., p).41.

EUCALYPTUS TERETICORNIS, Sm. (Forest Red Gum.)

2r

Queensland. — Common on coast, at least as far north as Rockhampton;
the Herbert River; and the Northumberland Islands. Leichhardt called
some specimens " Scaly Gum."

Papua. — It is one of the few Eucalypts that extend to this dependency.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 41.

A. Twig of the normal species. '

B. Fruits of tlie same.

c. Buds. * '

Eucalyptus bicolor, A. Cunn.

Black or Flooded Box. '

Botanical Name. — Bicolor, a Latin word, signifying two-coloured, in
allusion to the fact that pinkish or even crimson flowers are often found on
this tree intermixed with the greatly preponderating white ones.

Vernacular Names. — " Black Box," or " Flooded Box," are common
names, the former owing to the colour of the bark and the latter to the
nature of the country the tree commonly frequents. For the same reason it
is called " River Box." It is also called " Drooping Box," from its habit.

The late Forest-ranger Kidston, a most experienced man, called it
'■' Coolabah " of the Lachlan (several other trees go by this name). It is
also used on the Diamantina in Western Queensland. The same name is
in use on the Began. He also called it " Swamp White Box," because of
the often greyish or whitish appearance of the bark. It is sometimes also
called " White— or Grey Box."

It is an abundant aiid well-known tree, and can be recognised without
difficulty after a little practice. The names I recommend for this tree are
as good as any.

Aboriginal Names. — The " Goborro " of the aborigines of western New
South Wales, according to Sir Thomas Mitchell.

As has been already stated, the name C'oolabah (which is of aboriginal
origin) is applied to these trees in the Lachlan district. It is also in use
about Murrumbidgerie (Dubbo district). Dr. T. L. Bancroft tells me that
the same name is in use for the same tree on the Diamantina in Western
Queensland. It also bears the same name on the Mulligan River.

Leaves. — Mr. F. B. Guthrie, in Agricultural Gazette, N.8.W., October,
T899,^has analysed these leaves under the name of " Booligal," with the
following result: —

Water.

Ash.

Fibre.

Ether
extract
(oil,&c.).

Albumin-
oids.

Carbo-
liydrates.

Nutrient
value.

Albumin-
oid ratio.

Tannin
(oak bark).

1607

413

905

7-24 6-75 56-76

80 111

5-6

Gum-leaves sometimes edible, sometimes not. I have for many years
made inquiries in regard to the fodder-value of our native vegetation. It
is very easy to say whether certain plants are edible or not, but in regard
to some of our trees and shrubs it is simply impossible to reconcile the
statements concerning them. From the same district one receives the same
species of plant in two different parcels, with the label that stock eat the

28

one and reject the other. The plants are not even in a different stage of
growth; they simply are identical in every respect. If they -were sent at
different times by different people one might solemnly record them as edible
or the reverse, and the information, without qualification, would bo
misleading.

The fact of the matter is, there are two factors — the plant and the animal.
The plant may vary and be edible in one district or at a particular season
of the year, or particular sheep, cattle, or horses may be fond of this par-
ticular plant, while others may reject it. In other words, all plants of the
same species may not be edible, and all animals of the same kind may not
show partiality to the same plants.

Animals have their idiosyn<;rasies just as men have, liking one kind of
food ajid disliking another. If we could but persuade some Australian
animals that certain plants are so nutritious and palatable if they would only
take our advice, what a different place Ai;stralia would be! Much depends
on the district in -\\hich an animal is bred ; much depends on habits of
feeding he has recently formed — in other words, as regards foods an animal
may be bred from infancy in the midst of certain food, and use of it may
be quite natural to him, or through necessity he may have become educated
to it. In either case he will eat similar food in another district or reject
dissimilar.

If the flock or herd be of mixed origin (in the above sense), when they come
to a new locality some of the animals will eat a certain plant, while others
will reject it.

I published a note on Edible and Non-edible Red Gum-leaves (Eticalypius
rostrata) in the Agricultural Gazette for June, 1899, p. 496. I got speci-
mens from Moiilamein, absolutely -identical as far as I could see, with the
labels from the same gentleman that sheep were fond of one and rejected
the other.

Then from Marra Creek, via Nyngan, I have received several specimens
of twigs of " Box, Drooping Box, or Coolabah '' (Eucalyptus hicolor, A.
Cunn.), i.e., the tree now figured and described, with the following notes: —
(1) Sheep will not eat; (2) sheep very fond of this; (5) sheep will eat;
(6) sheep fond of this; (8) sheep will not eat. The twigs are all from the
same species, though doubtless from different trees, and were collected by
an esteemed correspondent of the Department (Mr. Grigg).

From Warena Run, Castlereagh River district, I have received specimens
of " Bimble Box " {Eucalyptus populifolia, Hook, f .) from the same gentle-
man. They appear to be absolutely identical, yet (1) is labelled, '' Stock
will eat " ; (2) " Stock will eat, but do not care too much for ^t " ;
(3) " Stock will not eat."

Discussing the matter with Mr. R. H. Cambage, that gentleman gave me
the following example with regard to one of the She-oaks (Casuarina) of
the interior.

An old resident mentioned that a man had brought a team of bullocks a
distance of over 100 miles, and when camping inquired from my informant
. wiiat trees were good for feed. On being told that the Belah (Casuarma
lepidophloia was one of the best in this locality, he thereupon cut down a num-
ber of branches, only to lind his bullocks reject them. He therefore went
further afield, and some time afterwards returned to say his bullocks had had
a great blow-out on Bull-oak (CasuaHna Luehmanm). When telling me of
this, my informant api)eared amused at the recollection, for it seemed to him
that these travelling bullocks must have a queer palate to prefer BulT-oak to
Belah, but the driver explained that they were used to the former in their
native district.

F. Fl., pi. 164.

EUCALYPTUS BICOLOR, A. Cunn. (Black op Flooded Box.)

fifl

I would cordially. invite correspondence on the very interesting subject I
have brought before ray readers. In deciding what are fodder-plants, it
should be remembered that during droughts stock will eat almost an5i;hing,
but plants that animals only eat as a. last resource should not be accounted
fodder-plants. Of course it is quite possible that collectors have mixed
their specimens, and that stock really eat or reject different species. The
matter should bo cleared up.

Seed. — This is one of the few species of Eucalyptus whose seed, after
grinding on stones, yielded food for the blacks.

Timher. — Mr. R. J. Dalton, of Wanaaring, says:

Box Trees. — Thei-e are several varieties of Box ; some are good for all kinds
of worlv, while otliers, especially a kind which we call Swamp or Black Box,
is very indifferent, not even being good for firewood. This is Eucalyptm
hicolor.

The aborigines used to make narrow shields of it.

It does not appear to be a favourite timber. While used for fencing, it is
hot a favourite, because of its hardness, interlocked and crooked character,
making it difficult to obtain either posts or rails. It is, however, very
durable.

Size. — A spreading tree of medium size, with a trunk diameter of 2 or 3
feet; the trunk is, however, not long.

Habitat. — It seems to be confined to South Australia, Victoria, New South
Wales, and Queensland.

From SL Vincent's Gulf and the Murray River and its lower tributaries,
through Eastern Australia, and particularly its eastern tracts to Carpentaria,
at least as far as the Flinders and Gilbert Rivers, but reaching also, in some
places, the coast tracts; (Mueller, in Eucalyptographia.)

■ This reference to " coast tracks " applies, as regards Eastern Australia, to
Queensland solely. E. hicolor is a dry country species, and in Central and
Northern Queensland many western New South Wales species approach the
coast. It prefers rich flats, which are liable to occasional submergence.

" A Box, low straggling tree, something like E. melliodora (Yellow Box)
in habit. The leaves have, however, generally a bluish tint. Tree, 2 feet
6 inches in diameter, perfectly sound, with fine hard red timber, and very
little sapwood. Kerang, also Bumbang, near Euston, N.S.W." (J.
Blackburne.)

New South Wales is the State in which it is the most abundant.

In my " Critical Revision of the genus Eucalyptus," Part XI, I have
given the localities in considerable detail, and my readers are referred to
them.

It is common in the Riverina. It is abundant on the Lachlan, Darling,
and Paroo, thence more northerly into an extensive area of Queensland.

Scone is the most eastern New South Wales locality so far recorded. It
is what we call a '' dry country " species.

It is one of the most widely diffused of 'the Eucalypts, and I do not doubt
that more careful search will very greatly extend its recorded range.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 164.

A. Juvenile leaves^.

B. Flowering twig with immature fruits.

c. Mature fruits. ■

30

Eucalptus microtheca, F.v.M.

The Coolabah.

Botanical Name. — Microtheca, from two Greek words, micros (small), and
theJce (something to put anything- else in) — hence, in botany (amongst other
technical meanings), a capsule — hence, a small fruit, for this species has cue
of the smallest of all Eucalyptus fruits.

Vernacular Name. — This is the true Coolabah of the aborigines, variously
spelt Coolybah, Coolibar, Coolybar. The name has been persistently though
erroneously attached to at least two other trees — Eucalyptus hicolor, A.
Cunn., the Black or Flooded Box, and one at least of the so-called Apples
(Angophora).

"Flooded Box," Gulf of Carpentaria. "White Gum," in Western
Australia, where its bark sometimes looks as if it had been whitewashed.

Leaves. — The leaves of this tree are commonly glaucous, or at least pale-
coloured, and the venation well markedi.

Fruits. — The very small fruits with exserted valves are usually quite
sufficient to distinguish this species.

Barh. — The bark of this tree, as we in New South W^ales know it, is rough
and persistent, more or less fibrous and even scaly on 'the trunk, with usually,
smooth bark on the limbs.

Mueller, however, described the tree (type from the Northern Territory)
as .... " with a dirty brownish-white bark, full of wrinkles and
cracks, persistent on the trunk, deciduous on the upper branches, leaving
them ashy white."

Bentham (B.Fl. iii, 223) quotes Oldfield, as regards the IVIurchison Eiver,
W.A., . . . . " who remarks on the variability of the bark, but there
appears to be some confusion in his notes." There may be no confusion.

Western Australian trees are so diiferent, as regards the bark, to New
South Wales and Queensland (not far north) trees that, familiar as I ara
with the latter, I did not recognise E. microtheca (a White Gum) in the
Murchison district, W.A., when I first saw it, and liad to examine the twigs.
Here is an instance in which there is a great variation in the bark in the
same species (over an interval of, say, 2,000 miles), and we are reminded
that examination of the bark, a most useful character, must be conducted
with caution. The amount of rough bark on the trunk varies within wide
limits; sometimes it is almost absent. It is a matter of degree.

Eotli refers to the barks as used by the Queensland aborigines in the
following terms, but it contains nothing of a poisonous nature, and the
results are obtained through the astringent principle. There is no active
principle which is contained in this bark which is not contained in the bark
of very many other Eucalj-pts ; its use is simply a matter of local convenience
by the blacks : —

In the Xortli-west Central districts, especially in large water-holes. I have
often watched the process (of fish-poisouins. or rather stupefying- — J.H.M.).

The whole camp may co-operate, a,n(l will start throwing the leafy boughs
and branches in first thing of a morning. During the day the water becomes
darker and daricer and sti'ongly smelling, until by the following morning at
sunrise, when it is almost blacli, the fish all lie panting at the surface, and
are easily caught. (A'.Q. Efhnof/raphy, Bull. No. 3. Roth.)

The inside bark is beaten up and used as a i)oultice for snake-bites, heated.
Cloncurry, &c. (E. Palmer.)

TimTier. — This wood is reddish-brown or reddish, and hard, heavy, and
elastic. Mons. Thozet speaks of it with figure not unlike walnut, but darker.

F. Fl.,pl. 195.

EUCALYPTUS MICROTHECA, F.v.M. (Coolabah.)

31

heavier, and closer grained. Its grain is interlocked, and therefore it is
difficult to split. It is useful in buildinjj: and for fencing puriwses, being a
generally useful timber, durable, though not of outstanding merit. It is
almost impossible to split. '' Piles made of the young trees have been used
with advantage for the construction of the Great Xorthern Eailway of
(Queensland." (Thozet.)

Size. — It is a spreading and medium-sized tree, IVIueller ("iFbrest
Kesources of Western Australia ") says it exceptionally attains a height of
150 feet. I have never seen nor have heard of properly authenticated 'trees
of this height. It is usually about 50 or 60 feet, or even less, in height, with
a diameter of 3 feet, and exceptionally up to 80 feet, with a diameter of
4 feet.

Habitat. — It is found in the drier parts of Australia in all the mainland
States except Victoria. It usually occurs on the banks of rivers, or in
depressions liable to flooding.

New South Wales.

This is the ''Dwarf Box*' of Forest Department (N'.S.W.) Exhibition
Catalogues of a few years back, where it is labelled.: "^. hrachypoda; timber
not much used or valued. Open plains, Lachlan, Darling, and towards the
Barrier Range.''

The late K. H. Bennett sent this species from Ivanhoe, via Hay, under the
native name of " Tangoon," with the note that '' this is our largest tree,
often attaining a height of 70 to 80 feet, with a (Jia^^^^t^r of 4 feet."

We have it from the banks of the Began, near Coolabah (J.H.M. and
J. L. Boorman), and on flats near the Darling River, e.g., Bourke, &c. The
leaves vary in width, i.e. (with same length), varying on the same tree
from f inch to 2 inch broad.

Angledool, north of Walgett, near the Queensland border (Newcomtn) ;
Burren Junction (J. L. Boorman) ; Boggabilla (H. M. R. Rupp) ; Tiboo-
burra, in the extreme north-west of the State (O. E. Couch).

While usually a small gnarled tree on the flats near the Xamoi, it some-
times occurs as a tree of considerable size. Bark rough and persistent,
scaly; a pretty tree, with rather dense and drooping foliage. Banks of
Namoi at Narrabri (H. Deane and others). '' Coolibah or Swamp Box,"
Narrabri. Leaves 7 inches long and up to 1 inch broad, and glaucous.
(Forester McGee.)

" Coolibah, about 30 feet, nearly always loaning and crooked, resembling
Box, but bark shaggier; grows in black-soil flooded country." (Forest-guard
.T. Hay, Boolcarrol, through E. H. F. Swain, District Forester.)

" Coolibah, tree of 20 feet, crooked, low brandling ; foliage glaucous, limbs
clean, rough bark on butt." Mungindi (E. H. F. Swain).

This is the Coolabah whose suckers are, under the provisions of the
Crown Lands Act of 1889, declared to be " scrub " in a Gazette notice of
November, 1904. (District-surveyor Arch. Lockhard, Moree.)

Howell, near Inverell (E. C Andrews).

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 195. '

A. Juvenile leaf, Bourke. '

B. Flowering twig, narrow leaf, from Boolcarrol.
c. Fruits, from Coolabah, Began River.

1 D, Broad mature leaf, from Moree District, (All from New South

j Wales.)

32

Eucalyptus saligna, Sm. *

The N.S.W. Blue or Flooded Gum.

Botanical Name.—Saligna, Latin, signifying pertaining to a willow, in
allusion to the leaves and habit of the tree, but the name is not a happy one,
as the foliage is very seldom willow-like.

_ Vernacular Names.—" Sydney Blue Gum." This timber requires some
distinctive designation to prevent its confusion with the pale-coloured Blue
Gum of Tasmania and Victoria. I have elsewhere called it New South
Wales Blue Gum by way of distinction, but, as this is such a ponderous
name, that of "Sydney Blue Gum" may be more acceptable; often also
caUed " Flooded Gum."

In the South Coast district sometimes it is called " Woolly Butt," because
of its confusion with the true Woolly Butt, the two trees resembling each
other a good deal in this particular district. "I draw attention to the matter
in this connection, because, in this district at least, our Blue Gum is-
inferior in durability to the true Woolly Butt (E. longifolia), so nuich so-
that it is there rarely used for posts and other underground work. In the
same district the latter is also called " Redwood."

Fruit.— T\iQ shape of the fruit of the Blue Gum will, it is hoped, be clear
from the drawing. As a guide it may be remarked that, as a very general
rule, there is a narrow space between the valves and the rim of the fruit
wide enough for one to insert the thickness of the finger-nail or a penknife
blade. If this little point be grasped it will be found to be useful. The
fruit with which that of the Blue Gum is most likely to be confused is tho
Bangalay or Bastard Mahogany {Eucalyptus hotryoides), and I would
suggest that persons interested gather" the fruits of the two trees, and
compare them for themselves. There is no absolute line of separation
between Sydney Blue Gum and Bangalay. The Gosford-Newcastle district
is a convenient one to test this statement, which seems strange at first sight.

Variety. — There is a variety known as var. pallidivalvis, Baker and

Smith, often known as " Flooded Gum," though not exclupively so.

«

Barl-. — The Blue Gum is a smooth-barked tree, but it has more or leas

fibrous bark near the butt. Sometimes the fibrous bark is almost as absent

as in the case of a White Gum, while in the case of some South Coast trees

it extends so far up the trunk as to make the confusion between this species.

and Eucalyptus longifolia (the Woolly Butt) excusable. " Some trees

smooth and whitish, others are rough-barked for a considerable height,,

ocjcasionally to 40 feet." (A. R. Crawford.)

Timber. — One of the best hardwoods of the State, usually of a pale red
colour, straight in the grain, comparatively easy to work, and, therefore, a
favourite with carpenters. The timber is of a lower specific gravity than
that of most Eucalypts, being not very close-grained. It is largely used by
shipwrights and wheelwrights, and is a very useful hardwood. It is exten-
sively used for building purposes, ships' planks, &c., and is the most widely
used of our timbers for felloes of wheels. Although this timber varies a

• There is an allied species, E. Deanei Maiden, with "round" leaves (by compariBon).
*nd inferior timber, which has not yet been figured in the " Forest Flora."

F. Fl., pl. 13.

EUCALYPTUS SALIGNA, Sm. (Blue or Flooded Gum.)

33

good deal in quality, much of it, and particularly that found in the northern
parts of the State, is very durable, and has been used for wood blocks with
much success. I confidently recommend sound, mature Sydney Blue Gum
for this important purpose.

The late Kev. Dr. Woolls informed me that a coffin made of it was found
to be in a sound state after fifty years.

In the K'elligen (Clyde Eiver) district, where it is known as Eedwood, it
is used by wheelwrights chiefly for felloes, and the local saw-millers often
go long distances for it. It is a favourable timber for inside work. On the
South Coast this tree strongly resembles the Woolly Butt in the trunk,
and the trees are hence often confused, local residents calling both
Eucalyptus saligna and longifolia " Woolly Butt " with deliglitful imparti-
ality; but Woolly Butt for E. saligna is wrong, and is, I repeat, the result
of confusion. On the South Coast the Redwood (of course not to be con-
fused with Californian Redwood, so extensively used in this State), is not
much used for posts or underground work, as it is not considered at all
durable.

Timber hard, not heavy, colour red, that from the smooth trees straighter
in the grain than that from the rough-butted tree, whose timber is darker,
curled, and interlocked, resembling the wood Euc. tereticoniis. If it were not
for its weight it would be a handsome furniture wood. Above ground it will
last a lifetime, but as posts it can only be depended on for from ten to fifteen
years. I have found both dry rot and wliite ants in it. The dwelling-house at
my place. 4 miles distant from here, is built chiefly of this timber, and I find
that many of the boards and some of the rafters are quite riddled by a minute
borer. (A. R. Crawford, referring to New England slopes (Moona Plains,
Walcha) timber.)

Size. — Up to 150 feet high and more, and a diameter of 3 or 4 feet,
though exceptionally attaining a much greater size.

Habitat. — Confined to New South Wales and Queensland, and essentially
a coastal and coastal-ranges tree. It does not extend further south, at least
in workable sizes, than Currawang, a few miles south of Nelligen, on the
Clyde River. I should be glad to hear from correspondents as to its extreme
southern limit. North of this it is extensively diffused throughout the
coastal districts of New South Wales, while it is fairly plentiful in Southern
Queensland.

It is the tree which gives the name to so many New South Wales locali-
ties Avhich rejoice in the name of Blue Gum Flat — an indication of the
alluvial soil it prefers.

Mr. A. R. Crawford, of Moona Plains, wrote to me as follows in February,
1896, in regard to its distribution in New England : —

This species is found in heads of creeks on the eastern slopes, usually
smooth and white in appearance, like the Flooded Gum of the low country.
I have never seen the wood of trees grown there. On the tablelands it Is
found in the gullies, running into ranges, and also on ridgy ground.

PLATE 13.

EXPI^\XATI()X

OF

A.

Twig

of young foliage.

2_

Twig

in flower.

c.

Front

and back view of

anthers.

u.

Twig

bearing fruits.

+ 94031— B

34

Eucalyptus resinifera^ Sm.

TiiK Eed Mahogany.

There are several forms of this species, viz. : —
(A.) Normal, or small-fruited form.

(B.) Large-fruited forms, showing transit between it and E. pellita,
F.v.M.

Botanical Name. — Resinifera, from two Latin words, signifying " resin-
l/earing." As a matter of fact, the present species is by no means a free
yielder of *' resiu " (kino).

yemucular Names. — This is the timber called Mahogany, because it
reminded the early settlers of the Central American wood, which is, however,
of much less weight than our timber. Our timber-getters and saw-millers
as often as not call it simply '' Mahogany," but, in view of the better known
Mahogany so largely used in the northern hemisphere, it would only lead to
confusion if our timber were exported without some qualifying adjective. I
v/ould, therefore, express the hope that it would be consistently called, by
way of distinction (at all events in the export trade), "Red Mahogany," a
term which is, of course, very largely applied in the State to this timber.
*' Forest Mahogany " is a term often used. This timber is often simply
known as Mahogany. In Queensland it is often called " Jimmy Low," after
the late Mr. James Low, of Maroochie River, a locality for some of the
finest specimens in that State.

Finiit. — The fruits vary much in size and to some extent in sculpture.

Baric. — Of a ilaky-fibrous character, intermediate between those barks,
known in Australia as Stringybark and Bloodwood.

Timber. — Of a rich red colour. Very durable, and becoming very hard
with age, even as hard or harder than Ironbark, and a nail cannot be driven
into it without splitting it. Used for knees at Laurieton. No good for
knees in sweaty situations (Mr. Kenny, Cundletown). Especially hard to
out with pit saw. LTsed for posts and rails. Yet Mr. Breckenridge, at
Failford, says that the timber was not considered of much account in the
Cape Hawke district until the demand for wood-blocks set in.

Its principal uses are for general building purposes and for fencing, as
it is a very durable timber. It is an excellent timber for wood-paving, but
while not depreciating its value in this direction for a moment, I would
lioint out there is just a little danger of our forgetting the merits of other
valuable paving timbers. Red mahogany is often sold as jarrah, which it
closely resembles, and for which I believe it is a perfect substitute. But
there are fashions and fads in paving blocks, as in many other things, and
European users of our hardwoods should be reminded that we have a
number of other meritorious timbers to oifer them. It is of a handsome
colour, and works up well. It may be recommended for large turned work,
and for heavy furniture. It is useful for weather-boards (very few are now
made because of galvanised iron). It makes the best of shingles; it does not
discolour paint, which remains intact until it peels oflF, and, as it does not
affect the water, it should be used when slabbing for wells is required. It
looks very well as skirting boards and banister rails, &c., and lasts well in
the ground.

This is one of the most valuable hardwoods of the State. It is a grand
furniture wood where its weight is not against it. Visiting furniture

F. Fl.. Dl. 11.

EUCALYPTUS RESINIFERA, Sm. (The Red Mahogany.)

35

experts have been more taken with tliis timber, as a rule, than with any
other Australian hardwood. There is a future before Red Mahogany. It
is one of the most durable timbers we have, being greatly resistant to damp
and the attacks of white ants. Mr. Hill, speaking of Queensland timber
many years ago, states that it is used for piles, and it is said to resist the
action of cobra. We want further evidence in the direction. It burns with
difficulty, and is hence preferred for fencing. It is used for ships' knees,
shingles, posts, and general building purposes. Rafters of this wood were
removed in 1852 from St. John's Church, Parramatta (erected in 1798),
and were found to be in perfect condition. It is an even-grained timber,
which works easily, and hence is one of the favourite hardwoods of carpen-
ters. The notes on Ironbark tree {E. resinifera) in Laslett's work on timbers
do not belong to E. resinifera at all, but probably to E. siderophloia. Pro-
fessor Warren made determinations of the specific gravities of two
specimens of this timber, which, in 1887, weighed 7506 and 72-23 lb. per
cubic foot respectively. Three years later they weighed 62-21 and 62-23 lb.
per cubic foot respectively.

'' In a green state the timber is not specially hard, but when seasoned
becomes so. The timber is specially suitable for shingles, as it does not
discolour or damage the water and lasts well." (The late Mr. Augustus
Rudder.)

Size. — From 2 feet to 5 feet in diameter, with a height of 100 feet and
more.

Ilahitut. — It is confined to Eastern New South Wales and Queensland.
So far as this State is concerned, it is chiefly a tree of the North Coast
districts. Nevertheless, it occurs sparingly as far south as Conjola, near
Milton, and northerly as far as North Queensland.

It was formerly common around Sydney, and even now it is found in a
number of suburbs, e.g., Burwood, Homebush, Hornsby, Hurstville, Suther-
land, George's River, &c. Westerly it occurs as far as the Kurrajong; also
Springwood, on the Blue Mountains.

Northerly it will be found on the Hawkesbury River, Morrisset, BulliJ-
delah. Port Macquarie, and so on to the Clarence and Tweed. In Queens-
land it is to be found at Eight-mile Plain and Maroochie.

On the Blue Mountains it is common near the 38-mile post (road) on
Lapstone Hill, near Springwood, Faulconbridge, &c., and was not notice<i
past Linden by Mr. Cambage and myself. It is not rare, and has a stringy
bark with rich, dark, coarse, umbrageous foliage. It is a handsome species.
On the Blue Mountains the buds may have almost hemispherical or longer
opercula, but still shorter than the common coast form.

A large-fruited form may be found at Conjola in the south, Curi'awaiig
Creek (near Nelligen), Otford (near National Park), Manly (north of
Sydney), Wyong, Bungwall, Timbarra (near Tenterfield), and other
localities. It insensibly runs into the coastal .Queensland E. pellita, F.v.M.

It is said that the tree prefers hard and gravelly ridges.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 11.

A. Twig with mature leaves, buds, and flowers, also juvenile leaves.

B. Anther, front and back view. ' .
c. Normal or small fruits.

D. Large fruits (transityto E. pellita, F.v.M.).

36

Eucalyptus punctata, DC.

A Grey Gum.

Botanical Name. — Punctata, Latin (dotted). In the original description
it is stated, "Dots on the under surface of the leaves blackish." These
blackish dots are almost invariably present; often the aid of a lens is
required to see them properly. They are, however, not charaeteristic for
punctata, being often present in E. resinifera and other species.

Vernacular Names.—" Grey Gum " or " Leather Jacket." Botanists are
often blamed for not giving one common name, and one name only, to one
particular species of Eucalyptus, and when it is suggested that there are
difficulties in the way, such a suggestion is attributed to perverseness. I
am afraid the millenium will have arrived before the reform hinted at can be
carried out. The present species is a good one for -illustrating one of the
reasons why the " one species oue common name " dictum cannot be realised.
More than one other species is known as Grey Gum, for example, E.
propinqua and E. tereticornis. Then why another Grey Gum? Suppose
we call E. teriticornis Red Gum (a name by which it is fre(iuently known)
instead of Grey Gum; then there will be more or less confusion between it
and its brother, E. rostrata, the Red Gum par excellence. Or, to come back
to the subject of our present Grey Gum, suppose we suppress Grey Gum,
having assigned that designation to E. propinqua, then there remains the
next best and most used name for it, which is Leather- jacket. But consider
the number of other trees which have a vested interest in the name of
Leather- jacket, which have indeed more claim to the name, because of
heater appropriateness and use by a larger number of people, and we at
once see that if we appropriate the name for E. punctata we shall be as far
off our " one species one name " as ever. The fact of the matter is, that so
long as people are so obstinate as to please themselves in the matter of
names, and so long as the same object presented to different individuals is
Been by them in different aspects, so long will this name difficulty continue.
The Grey Gum people will not give up their name simply to please the Red
Gum people, and so on. The former say: " Our name is the more suitable;
we look at the bark — see how grey it is." The latter say : " But look how
red the timber is." It is of no use to blow up the botanist. He does not
give the local names. The people at large do that, and who can control
them? The chief reason why we give "botanical names" is in order to
obtain a definiteness not obtained by vernaculars. Some of our species
have at least eight or ten common names.

The term Grey Gum is applied to punctata because of the dull grey
appearance of the bark. The bark has a roughish appearance, in contradis-
tinction to a smooth and even shiny one, possessed by so many of our gums.
It has smooth, white patches in places, causetl by the outer layer of bark
falling off. These white patches in their turn become grey, and the process
of exfoliation of the bark is repeated until probably the whole of the bark
on the trunk is shed at one time or another. Although rather difficult to
properly describe, the bark of the Grey Gum is so characteristic that, when
once pointed out, it could not be confused with the bark of any other hard-
wood tree.

It is called " Black Box " at Capertee, owing to the darkness of the bark,
and Mr. Forester Sim, of thq same place, says it is also called " Slaty Gum."
The smooth bark is sometimes of a yellow ochre or pale brown colour, hence
it might then be appropriately called " Brown-barked Gum."

F. Fl., pi. 37

EUCALYPTUS PUNCTATA, DC. (A Grey Gum.)

87

BarV. — It belongs to the smooth-barked group of gum-trccis, and yet- as
compared with the silky smoothness of the White Gum (hwmastoma) , or of
the Blue Gum (saligna), its bark is raspy to the touch. As a whole, its
trunk may be said to have a dirty appearance, often inclining to a yellowish
or brownish cast. Large pieces of thin, dark-coloured outer bark give it a
blotched appearance. 1 have already alluded to this in speaking of
" Vernacular names."

Timber. — It is so much like Ironbark in appearance that it is difficult to
<ii8criminate between the two timbers. That will be the best guide to its
appearance. An expert would usually detect the substitution for Ironbark
(if he suspected any substitution), by noting that a chip of Grey Gum ia
more brittle than that of Ironbark; it also cuts less horny. Nevertheless,
the two timbers are wonderfully alike, and for many purposes Grey Gum
is an efficient substitute for Ironbark, for it is remarkably durable. Its
inferior strength, as compared with Ironbark, precludes its use as girders
of any length, and when substituted for Ironbark in sleepers the bolts and
spikes work lose in them. I would encourage its use in every possible way
for wood-blocks. The chief objectors to its use at the present time are the
saw-millers themselves, as the logs often contain gum-scabs or gum-veins.
At present, where unblemished timber is insisted upon for wood-blocks, a
saw-miller cannot afford to cut up Grey Gum (although it frequently turns
out unblemished), because of the risk of having it condemned. I will speak
-on this subject in connection with Bloodwood, and would emphasise the
opinion that wood-blocks should not be condemned because they contain a
few gum -scabs or veins. Such excess of care practically leads to great
waste of really valuable timber. It is recommended for paving-blocks, as
already stated. It is in high repute for posts, having excellent records when
employed in this very trying situation. I have seen it used for felloes and
for shingles. It is very largely used as an Ironbark substitute for railway
sleepers, &c., which fact is in itself testimony to its excellence.

Size. — A tree of large size, although not of the largest. Its height may
he given as, say, 60 to 80 feet, with a diameter of 2 or 3 feet.

TTahUat. — It appears to be confined to New South Wales. It is found in
the coast districts and main dividing range and spurs. Conjola, near
Milton, appears to be the most southerly locality recorded. In the north it
has been collected as far as Lismore. In the west it occours near the
Jenolan Caves, at Capertee, and Rylstone.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 37.

A. .Tuvenile leaf.

B. Flower-bearing twig.
c. Fruits.

D. Fruits of variety grandiflora, Deane and Maiden.

Eucalypttis longifolia. Link.

The Woolly Butt.

Bnt<inical Name. — Longifolia, of course means long-leaved, and the leaves
of this tree are frequently very long, especially as Rev. Dr. Woolls i)as
pointed out, when young and growing near water. But they have nor the
longest leaves, by any means. For example, those of E. globulus and E^
ffoniocalyx may be much longer.

38

Vernacular Name. — " Woolly Butt " : The bark is of a dirty grey, brittle,
fibrous character, and was thought to be of woolly texture. It often
resembles box bark a good deal.

The name " Woolly Butt " is, of course, descriptive of the bark, but it is
not a perfectly happy one. I have frequently seen trees with barks not more
woolly than that of the " Blackbutt." It has this advantage, however, that
the term " Woolly Butt " is, so far as I know, never applied to any other
gum-tree, although there is another native tree growing in the northern
part of this State, to which I have also heard the name applied. I allude
to the "Brush" or " Scrub Box" {Tristania conferta).

This tree often goes by the names of " Peppermint '' and " Eedwood " in
the South Coast district, the latter name being used for obvious reasons, and
the former because the bark resembles that of another Eucaylptus tree,
known as "Peppermint," both in texture and being persistent to the
ultimate branches.

The use of these names on the South Coast is not a little puzzling.
" Woolly Butt " is the common name in the Sydney district, but " Pepper-
mint " or " Redwood " is in most general use from, say, Shoalhaven to
Moruya, while " Woolly Butt " is most commonly in use from Moruya to
Victoria. At the same time, I have heard the three names used indiscrimi-
nately over a large area of the South Coast. It affords an excellent prac-
tical reason why botanical names should be used for timber trees wherever
possible. Confusion in names of timbers leads to trade disputes and uncer-
tainties and accusations of bad faith in many ways.

Fruit. — This species can readily be determined from its fruit, which are
usually in threes. They are the largest fruits of any of the'Eastern Austra-
lian species, and the shape is characteristic. Their size, and the sculpture
of the rim, vary somewhat.

Bark. — The bark is persistent or partially deciduous, and has a greyish
appearance; the young trees being very much like the box-tree (E,
hemiphloia or Bosistoana).

Timher. — Dark red, of a wavy grain, rather heavy, and not unlike red
ironbark in general appearance, for which more valuable timber it is some-
times substituted. It is a very durable timber, but deficient in strength and
elasticity, particularly near the heart. Many of the trees are also faulty,
and hence it is not a favourite with saw-millers.

I look upon it as a really valuable timber for wood-paving. It is not our
best timber for the purpose, but it is of proved value under very trying-
circumstances as regards exposure. Like red mahogany and others of our
timbers, it belongs to the jarrah class. Although it has been passed off as
ironbark sleepers and even girders, it is an inferior timber to ironbark on
account of its comparative brittleness, a defect which would not in any way
affect its usefulness for wood-blocking.

It is used principally for fencing-posts, for which purpose it is avcII
adapted. I have known posts that were thirty years in wet marshy land
which, when taken out, were quite fresh looking, showing no sign of decay.
It is a splendidly durable timber for wet ground.

In 1892 Mr. C. J. Cullen wrote to me:

There is a fence on my brother's land at Janiberoo that was erected in
1851, and is consequently over fifty years in existence — i>ost and rails of
woollybutt, and a portion of it still in a good state of preservation, likely to

F. Fl., pi. 5,

EUCALYPTUS LONGIFOLIA, Link. (The Woolly Butt.)

39

last for many years. Much, of course, depends on the state of the timber.
,where it is cut down, and tlie time of the year wlien this is done. The timber
of the feucf' referred to was taken from a sound, healthy tree that liad not
begun to decay, and it was cut down in the winter. As a rule fences last
longer on moist or swampy ground.

In many parts it is used for house blocks, as white ants do not like it,
3ior is it liable to dry rot.

It was formerly largely palmed oif as red ironhark, but while inferior to
that timber on account of its comparatively brittle nature, its durability in
and on the ground will always commend it to those willing to employ our
native timbers on their merits.

Size. — It is a large forest tree. Mr. Andrew Murphy says that at Wyong
it '* grows veiy large — 8 or 9. feet in diameter — and a great height.'' Th(^
late Mr. Forester Benson, of Bega, says : " I have seen trees fully 180 feet
in height and 5 feet in circumference." Mr. Forester Allen, of Moruya.
gives the height of the trees at from 80 to 150 feet, with a diameter of
2-5 feet.

Hahitat. — It is chiefly a Xew South Wales species, and belongs chiefly to
the coastal and southern half of the State. It just extends into Gippsland.
It is verj- plentiful on the coast, especially in the county of Dampier, N.S.W.

The most northerly locality knowni to me is Raymond Terrace, north of
■the Hunter River. Mr. A. Murphy, of Woy Woy, knows of only three places
Avhere it oc<mrs in his district, viz., 3 miles from Gosford, also 2 miles from
Wyong, and near Wyee. In the western suburbs of Sydney, e.g., Strathfield.
Homebush, Druitt Town, and thence coastwards, it is common enough, but
it is most developed along the south coast, into Victoria.

The following notes of specific localities will be useful : —

New South Wales.

Ashfield, Strathfield, Homebush to Liverpool-road, very abundant; Banks-
town, Cabramatta, Parramatta, Penrith (N.B. — The Avestern range is at
present unknown), Appin, WoUongong, Picton, Nowra (with unusually
narrow leaves), Bateman's Bay, Moruya, Bega, Bo^AT^iing (with smaller
fruits), Wolumla, Twofold Bay; on the Timbilica River. The best speci-
mens on clay flats ; it rarely occurs on ridges, and rarely more than 5 miles
from the coast.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 5.
Twigs showing adult foliage and buds, flowers, and fruit : —

A. Sucker-foliage.

B. Anther.

c. A small-fruited form.

Isote that the fruits are usually in threes.

40

Anomalous Group.

1. Eucalyptus microcori/s (Tallow-wood).

2. Eucalyptus maculata (Spotted Gum).

3. Eucalyptus corymhosa (Bloodwood).

Tallow-wood, Spotted Gum, aud Bloodwood are sufficiently distinct from
€ach other and from all others to be kept in a group .of anomalous timbers.

Eucalyptus microcorys, E.v.M.

The Tallow-wood.

Botanical Name. — Microcorys, from two Greek words signifying " a little-
helmet," in allusion to the comparative smallness of the cap (operculum) of
the bud.

Vernacular Names. — Tallow-wood is the name by which the timber and
tree are universally known in New South Wales, owing to the greasy nature-
of the former. This is taken advantage of in using it for ball-room flooring.
In Queensland it goes more or less under the names of " Peppermint,""
" Turpentine," and " Red Stringybark," names which in i^ew South Wales
are appropriated to different trees. The two former names are in allusion
to the oil contained in its leaves, the last in allusion to the colour of its
bark, and not because of the colour of its wood, as is Red Stringybark in
New South Wales.

Bark. — The bark (often of a '' corrugated " appearance) is sub-fibrous,.
of loose, and even woolly, texture. In colour it is of a sort of brick or rusty
red, and is persistent even to the smallest branches.

"It has a corrugated, somewhat fibrous or stringy bark, which is always
riddled with the ' roads ' of white ants into within i of an inch of the sap-
.wood." (Forester W. P. Pope, late of Murwillumbah.)

Timber. — Its colour is usually yellowish-brown or yellowish (sometimes,
e.g.,. at Camden Haven, much of the timber has a pink tinge), and like
many other timbers darkens with age. One of the least liable to shrink of
all our hardwoods. It is heavy, strong, and durable. It may be planed and
turned with great satisfaction. It is not easily split, the greasy substance
contained in it making it a tedious matter to get the wedge to " draw." I
■would express the opinion that, after Ironbark, Tallow-wood is the most
valuable of our hardwoods.

It is used for flooring, particularly in ball-rooms. For this latter purpose
it is selected on account of its greasy nature. It is excellent for decking,
hand-railing, girders, and some other parts of bridges. A favourite for
building work generally, and it does not burn readily, which, in buildings,
is, of course, a recommendation. It is, perhaps, the most valuable wood in
New South Wales for paving blocks. It makes admirable posts and rails,,
lasting an indefinite period either above or below ground, but difficult to
split for these purposes, as already remarked. \^ bite Mahogany is not
infrequently substituted for Tallow-wood. Both are good timbers, and can
stand on their own merits. The substitution can be readily detected by any
man with a fair knowledge of colonial timbers.

41

Inferior only to Brush Box for hewn trolly wheels for timber (Kenipsey).
Used for kneels (Laurieton). x\n engineer, who has laid down very large
areas of wood-blocking, prefers this timber to all others for the purpose.

Tallow-wood timber is yellow in colour, with a peculiar greasy feel — is used
generally for public works, building of bridges and ctilverts, _also for house
building, slabs, jwsts. and sawn stuff generally, but not flooring boards. Tallow-
wood is considered to be very durable, and stands w'ell in exposed places.
White Mahogany i.s often passed off for Tallow-wood. It has been said against
Tallow-wood that it does not hold nails well. (Forester John Martin, late of
Gosford.)

I know of no timber that suffers so little, naturally, after being cut down,
even if left for many years ; especially in moist shady places the duramen
mider the sap and bark i.s still found as fresh as in the growing trees. The
charcoal from Tallow-wood is considered one of the best for the smithy.
(Late Forester A. Rudder, Booral.)

It is the only timber we have of a gi'easy nature ; and it has the effect, Avhen
being worked, of cleaning and keeping clean tools such as saws, &c., which have
got gummed in working other timl)ers. It is fairly durable in fresh water. It
is generally preferred to Blackbutt for the same uses it is put to. (E'orester
G. R. Brown, late of Port ^lacquarie.)

Tiie timber is very lasting both In and out of the ground, and is very valu-
able for bridge decking, posts and I'ails, but is rather hard for splitting. It is
also cut for mill timl>er, but many trends are faulty, especially those that have
humps growing out of the barrel. (Forester W. F. Crowley, late of Casino.)

The " roads " of white ants to within i of an inch of the sapwood are a
great drawback to the value of the timt)er. It appears to suit white ants
exactly. There Is generally a huge nest of them in the head; it seems to be
the first timber they attack. (Forester W. P. Pope, late of Murwillumbah.)

Exudation. — The " ^im " or " kino " from the Tallow-wood is one of the
most interesting of such substances. I do not think it is of such medicinal
value as those from most other Euealypts, but it is of considerable scientific
interest. In bulk it looks remarkably like a parcel of uncut garnets. Owing
to its friability, the bright fractures become dulled with very little friction;
the colour of the powder is orange*brown.

Size. — Mr. George S. Hill, of Wingham, quotes the size of a Tallow-
wood: — Girth (.*> feet from surface), 26 feet. It was growing 1,800 to 2,000
feet above sea-level on Bulga Mountain, head of Ellenborough River, and
he adds that he hears that the Tallow-woods are much larger some distance
beyond this.

It is a tree of exceptionally large size, up to 25 feet in circumference by 180
to 200 feet in height. (Of twaity-five trees I measured at 4 feet from the
ground the average circumference proved to be 17 feet 2 inches). (Late
Forester A. Rudder, Booral.)

A Tallow-wood tree in the forest near Lansdowne River we measured by
tape, and found to be 30 feet 4 inches in girth at 3 feet from the ground,
and 27 feet 3 inches at 6 feet. We estimated its height at 150 feet. This
tree is, to outward appearance, sound, though the heart has probably gone.

We noted some logs from the mountain lying at the wharf on the Lans-
downe River. Following are their measurements: — A Tallow-wood, at 14
feet from the ground, was 13 feet 8 inches in girth. From this one tree 106
running feet of log were cut up at the mill. A second Tallow-wood was
13 feet in girth at 12 feet from the ground, and had an 11-inch pipe; 118
running feet of log were cut from this tree ready for the mill. -

There were twenty Tallow-wood logs of varying lengths lying on the
wharf, and we do not doubt that there were 2,000 feet of timber in each ]og

43

(dear of pipe). From sap to heart the timber was of one uniform bright
yellow colour. In a word, the Tallow-wood we saw here was, without excep-
tion, the largest and finest we have seen in the State.

The Tallow-wood is the chief glory of this magnificent forest. A monster
fell a few hundred yards from our party, and the noise of falling was like
the roar of a park of artillery. We took the following dimensions of thia
prostrate giant — 15 feet of stump had been left. It was 62 feet more to the
first fork, and its girth was 27 feet 4 inches at 3 feet from the ground. A
log was 14 feet 2 inches in girth in the centre, and 8,820 feet was calculated
in this log. Many trees will give 12,000 or 14,000 feet of timber each. We
came across a fine tree 65 feet to the first branch. (Maiden and de Coque,
in 1895.)

Hahitat. — It is confined to New South Wales and Queensland, and does
not usually extend more than 20 or 30 miles inland.

The most southerly locality is Cooranbong, 26 miles south of Newcastle.
It again occurs at Port Stephens, and thence along the coast ranges until
Queensland is reached. In Queensland it is plentiful on most of the coastal
ranges and other ridgy country. There is a large quantity of handy size
and excellent quality on Fraser's Island.

While usually very yellow — almost canary-yellow — when freshly sawn,
there is a good deal of Tallow-wood of a reddish cast on the northern rivers ;
and so intermixed is it with the yellow kind that in some places it would be
difficult to fill a large order for Tallow-wood of one tint only.

The only place in my district in whicli Tallow-wood is to be fouud i.s an
area about 4,000 acres in the neighbourhood of Cooranbong, 20 miles south of
Newcastle'. I believe that TallOAV-wood crops up again at Poit Stephens, so
that there is a gap between the two places (Cooranbong and Port Stepliens)
where Tallow-wood does not grow, and why it should be found only about
Cooranbong is more than I can tell. The Tallow-wood here grows in i)atches
— ^is not plentiful. Appears to like sheltered, well-drained localities, such as
banks of creeks, heads of gullies, and spurs of ranges — soil sandy loam en-
riched with leaf mould. (Forester John Martin, late of Gosford.)

It occurs, more or less, all through this district, excepting on its higher
elevations on its north-western parts, Imt is now most prevailing between
Bullahdelah and Cooloongolook, and in the southern parts of the parish of
Alfred, connuencing about 14 miles in a northerly direction from Dungog.

The best and largest timber is usually found in undulating scrubby forest
country.

In localities mentioned it is in considerable quantity, l)ut in most places,
near to mills, it is getting relatively scarce sin(?e it is a favourite, as it cuts and
turns out well. It fetches a higher price than most other timbers. (Late
Forester A. Rudder, Booral.)

It extends from about 8 miles south of the Macleay River to about Johns
River, a distance of about 4.") miles, and backwards about 10 miles.

In abundance about next'' to Blackbutt, and an average of two per acre,
averaging from 20 to 2.^ feet to first branch. (Forester G. R. Brown, late of
Port Macquarie.)

It grows pretty well all over this district. l)ut is now rather scarce in the
vicinity of water carriage, but plentiful further back. (Forester LI. R. Hux-
liam, late of Grafton.)

It is found plentifully scattered all over the flat country in the county of
Richmond. It is also growing in a few places in the counties of Rous, Drake,
and Buller. (Forester W. F. Crowley, late of Casino.)

It is to be found in all stages of growth (up to 10 feet girth) ou the eastern
falls of Glen Innes and Tenterlield Districts in fair quantities, (Late Forester
E. J. Deverell, of Glen Innes.)

F. Fl., pi. 144.

EUCALYPTUS MICROCORYS. F.v.M. (Tallow Wood.)

43

The tree flourishes on the eastern slopes of the tablehinil. also elose to the
Maek brushes below, where the soil seems partieularlj- suitable for its pro-
duction, doing best where well drained, the land being stony, with cpiantities
of decayed vegetable on the surface and i-ather stiff soil underneath. On
Forest Reserve l.()(;2. county of Clarke, there is a large (piantity growing,
some of which was cut in 18!)2 by men who had been bridge-building all over
the colony, who informed me that this particular lot was the best qualit.v they
had come across. This is produced on the high land about. 'J,4(M) feet above
sea-level. It is distributed over a large area of the more oj)en country under
the falls, but does not reach the size it does where better protected mid the
«oil is richer. (Late Forester 1{. li. Siddin.s, of Armidale. )

It is found all along the eastern slojx's of the New England tableland in
fair quantity and good (piality. It prefer.s a somewhat heavy soil. It is hardly
ever found on granite formation, that is, where the soil is liglit and sandy.
(Forest Guard X. Stewart. Glen Innes.)

Tallow-wood, with the exception of the Gommon Box, grows more abun-
dantly in this district than perhaps any other Kucalypt. It is found uniforndy
distributed through all forest land at about four trees to the acre. Other
hai'dwoods are generally in patches, or favour certain spurs, but one never
goes many yards in forest land without finding several of these trees.
(Forester W. P. P(>i)e. late of Murwillumbah.)

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 144.

A. Juvenile leaf.

B. Flowering twig.

c. Fruit from Booral.

D. Fruit from Woolgoolga, .showing slightly exserted valves.

Eucalyptus maculata, Hook.

TiiK Spotted Gum.

Botanical Name. — Maculata, Latin ("spotted"), in allusion to the bark.

Veimacnlar Name. — Its almost tiniversal name is " Spotted Gum."
Occasionally one hears the name " Mottled Gum," which has the same
•meaning:.

Leaves. — Elastic threads in Eucalyptus.

I was so much interested with tlie nature and behaviovu" of a leaf of
IhtcaJyptua citrlodont. which I picked yesterday, that I send .vou the specimen
[ dealt with, which I have mounted on the pajier. When I broke the leaf,
which was about .'} inches long, across the midrib, I found that there was an
attachment, as of a thread or filament, at each of the outside edges of the
leaf. On drawing ai)art the two broken pieces of the leaf these two threads
still held on, and I slowly drew them out, when, besides stretching out like a
thread of india-rubber, they gradually .separated or unravelled from the edges
of the leaf, both at the stalk end and at the tip of the leaf. Tlie threads were
so elastic that I drew them out to the length of Gi and 7i inches respectively
before they broke, and they then curled up like a piece of india-rubber cord
Avhen the strain is taken off. and they now, after twenty-four hours, retain
their elasticity, ((/ardcnrrs' Chronicle, 7th February, 1903, p. !>2.)

t'Co which I replied :

There is a small (luantity of Caoutchouc in the leaves of (at least) the
members of the Corymbosa> section of the genus. It is i)articularly observable
in the widely-distributed E. eorymhosa. Sm. (Bl(X)dwood). It is a conunon
thing to see small boys r)ull apart the young leaves of that si)ecies, and a thin
membrane, mainly consisting of Caoutchouc, is at once obtained. (23/r)/03.)

44

The quantity of caoutchouc in Eucalyptus leaves has not been ascertained,
so far as I am aware, but it is not likely ever to be a commercial source of
that article. Mr. II. G. Smith has published a paper on this substance ia
Eucalyptus corymhosa and some species of Anyophora in Proc. Roy. Sog.^
N.S.W., XL ii. 133 (1908).

Fruit. — Note the shape of the fruit, which is often like a small form of
the Bloodwood (E. corynibosa). Note the tubercular prominences which are-
often seen on the fruit.

Timber. — Following are extracts from a Report on Spotted Gum, drawn
up by Messrs. G. S. Cowdery, J. V. de Coque, and the author, a Committee
appointed by the Minister for Mines and Ajrriculture to investigate it.
The full report will be found in the Agricultural Gazette for April, 1896 : —

Spotted Gum is a timber in regard to whose merits or demerits there exists
very strong]y-formed opinions, wliich are, in some cases, we are afraid, rather
the result of tradition than of personal obseryation and experience.

That Spotted Gum timber has been used in the past to a considerable extent
in paving the streets of Sydney is beyond doubt. We have taken the precau-
tion to secure and carefully examine a considerable number of bloclvs from
various parts of the city, not only of Spotted Gum, but also (for purposes of
comparison as regards durability) other hardwoods used for a smilar purpose.
We have devoted a considerable amount of time to the diagnosis of these
different timbers, which has helped us considerably iu arriving at a unanimous
opinion. We recognise that there are conflicting interests involved iu the'
Spotted Gum question. But the fact must be borne in mind that if the export
trade of hardwoods, particularly for wood-blocking purposes, shall acquire,
and continue to maintain, the dimensions we believe to be in store for it, we
shall require all our suitable hardwoods for shipment, and w« think that
there will not only be lucrative employment for existing sawmills, but also
for fresh ones In new forests in different parts of the State.

We have no hesitation in stating that Spotted Gum, subject to certain condi-
tions which we shall enumerate, compares favourably with the other timbers
we have examined, and we recommend Its use for wood-blocking in Sydney,
as well as for export, but subject to strict supervision as regards quality.

Timbers mistaken YOVi Spotted Gum.

To add to the inherent difficulty of tlie subject, some of our correspondent.*)
are under the inqirossiou that the Spotted Gum of New South Wales (and
Queensland) is identical with that of Victoria. The Spotted Gum of New
South Wales {Eucalyptus imioulata) does not extend to Victoria, and the Vic-
torian Spotted Gum, wliose botanical name is Eucalyptus yoniocalyx is an
Inferior timber to it.

Another correspondent alludes to a bastard Siwtted Gum at Orange, which
is a most iiiferior timber ; we know of others in the Mudgee and Queanbeyau
districts, both nearly worthless timbers, and any impression that tlioy were
varieties of the true Spotted Gum would be injurious to the reputation of
that timber.

Mr. Forester MacDonald has seen the Smooth-barked Apple {Angophora
lanceolata), whlcli somewhat resembles the Spotted Gum in bark, cut up for
Spotted Gum. Angophora timber is very inferior, and, If passed as Spotted
Oum, would undoubtedly prejudicially affect opinion in regard to the merits of
that timber. A certain amount of discrepancy in regard to reports is also to
be accounted for by wrong diagnosis of timbers. Blackbutt, Stringybark, and
even White Gum, *f coarse, wavy grain, have all been sent to us as Spotted
Gum, to which they bear a superficial resemblance more or less strong.

Specific Uses to which Spotted Gum has been put.

Our correspondents liave used Spotted Gum for railway fencing, hammer
nnd axe handles, way-levers. shii)building, paving-blocks, sleepers, decking and
deck guards for bridges and wharfs, girders in bridge and flood openings, house

45

carpentry, door-fraines, sills and joists, buggy and dray sliafts, and other
portions of the bodies of vehicles, wheehvrighting. farm implements, boat
timbers, tiii waggons, railway buildings, railway and other bridges (laminated
arches of railway bridges, sheeting, wings, wales and decking, hand-railing,
braces, ballast guards, wallngs, girders).

Spotted Gum is largely replacing American Hickory in the coach factories
along the coast for waggons, buggies, sulkies, &c., and large orders are beinj?
filled for coach factories in Sydney and elsewhere, care being taken to cut th©
timber free from sap, heart, and gum-veins.

Uses fob which Spotted Gum is Recommended by oub Cobbespondents.

There is no difference of opinion as to its value for inside work for coach-
builders' purposes, and for such pui^poses as levers and handles, and rods for
artesian bores, where great strength and elasticity are re<iuired.

In coachbuilding in this State. Spotted Gum has largely superseded Hickory,
as already stated, and although not quite so elastic and strong as the best
Hickory, is a very good substitute and cheaper.

Providing timber is matured and free from sap, no more suitable timber
can be used for railway waggon building in Europe. Its strength and elasticity
make it excellent for the purpose, particularly as railway engineers at l;iome
object to Ironbark owing to its excessive weight. They constantly ask for
suitable hardwoods of less weight. The objection to the use of Blackbutt for
the purpose is the presence of concentric gum-veins and its more fissile nature
generally. The Hawkesbury and Singleton Spottetl Gum are excellent as.
regards freedom from guin-veius. We have also seen Spotted Gum from the
South Coast comparatively free from the same.

As regards outside work, Its value for fence-rails Is^ Indisputable, while It
bears a good reputation for deck-planking, as already spoken of In allusion to
Its durability.

Spotted Gum pabiiculably considebed w-ith Respect to its Fitness ob

OTHEBWISE fob PaVING.

Hardly any situation affords so severe a test of the durability of a timber
as paving. A wood pavement is constantly watered and in contact with
decaying vegetable matter. It Is, therefore, desirable that the blocks should
be as well-seasoned as practicable, in order; to reduce the liability of fungus
growths to attack the tissues of the woofl. On the other hand, we must guard
against over-seasoning, which would result in the blocks absorbing an Inordi-
nate proportion of water, which would cause them to swell, to the destruction
of the pavement, and perhaps the causing of injuries to buildings, tram-llnee,
&c.

Spotted Gum (like other hardwoods) Is, when cut at the mills, immediately
loaded into vessels. When landed In Sydney, the lengths are cut at once into
blocks, and if at once placed in the streets, are as free to decay through the
sap being unable to escape as are all other hardwoods.

The balance of evidence Is strongly In favour of the use of Spotted Gum for
planking and decking, but as regards paving-blocks we have very little infor-
mation in these replies. '

Mr. Gustave Fischer, Mr. R. W. Richards, and Mr. Moir, who have used 4t
in the Sydney streets, are not in favour of it. Mr. Richards, in a report* to
the Forest Department, under date 31st October. 1893. states, page 2 : " The
wearing surfaces of the blocks of Spotted Gum from King-street were thickly,
impregnated with gravel and extraneous matter, causing an Irregularity of
surface, the sides of the block in section showing a quick intention to split, the
top edges of wearing surfaces were frayed over on each side for about one
quarter of an Inch in plan and section. Spotted Gum is a treacherous timber
to deal with, inasmuch as if the tree is not fully matured, the blocks there-
from, painted with tar, laid In the work, enclosed air-tight, prevent the sap;
from escaping, and its fermentation sets up 'dry-rot.' This has occurred in

• " Wood Pkvements in Sydney, 1880-188S. Fcap., Sydney, n.d. (I8»4).

46

many instances, and as one block is attacked, dry-rot spreads througTiout those
adjacent. A sample block sliowlu^ this decay is forwarded herewith." Again,
jiage 10: "My experience of Spotted Giini leads me to advise that the use of
this wood be discontinued."

The same .gentleman has also courteously replied to our schedule of ques-
tions (Appendix At), in which he still holds to his adverse opinion. So strong
a condenuiation, coming from such an important source, requires our careful
consideration. We find, however, after examining over 200 wood-blocks, which
were recentl.v removed from various streets in Sydney, about 150 of which
jwere presented (labelled as to class) to the Department of Forests, by the
City Surveyor, that the names given on the labels are in some instances
incorrect.

In some instances we find a badly-worn block labelled " Spotted Gum,"
which on examination proves to be some other timber ; and, again, some blocks
wliich liave worn well are Six)tted (ium, although labelled otherwise. In
other words, a general statement, whether of praise or condenuiation. founded
on data such jis tliis, must be unreliable.

We further observe that in, an official report by the City Surveyor to the
Under Secretary for ]\Iines .and Agriculture, the rate of wear per annum in
•the Sydney streets, of Spotted Gum and other timbers is calculated to very
small fractions of an inch, and certain conclusions are based upon or left to
1)6 inferred from figures thus obtained. We are of opiuion that, owing to the
«"onditions under which the city paving-blocks were laid, the tests are of little
vahie. To begin with, it is almost impossible to obtain blocks exactly (5 inches
<leep. This is recognised from the fact that it is usual to allow contractors a
^rariation of J^ of an inch when cutting, allowance being made for the set of
teeth of the saw, and other circumstances it would be difticult to control. After
"the blocks are laid, the wear for some time will depend on the merits of the
top-dressing (which varies under climatic conditions), and the position of the
blocks in the carriage-way, whether they are near the centre of the roadway
where the traffic is heaviest, or near the kerbs, where it is likely to be less.

We are, therefore, of opinion that tests which do not fulfil accurately all
and similar conditions are of little value.

The Advantages and Disadvantages to the Use of Spotted Gum

('onsidkbed.

(«) Advantages.

. The advantages stated by several persons are —

1. Durability.

2. Strength, toughness, and elasticity.

3. Capacity for bending.

4. Lightness.

5. Easy working.

G. Evenness of quality.

7. Large sizes I'eadil.v obtainable.

S. Comparative freedom from pipe.

1. Durability.

Tt has a life of over thirty years in the Singleton railway bridge. A similar
life is stated for slabs in barns and slab-houses on the Berry Estate.

For bridge decking the life is given variously up to thirteen, fifteen, and six-
teen years. Another correspondent states its life as six and ten years in
*' bridge and culvert work."

The life of .joists is given at twenty years, and of girders at twent.y-five years.
We were informed of a girder twenty-six years in a bridge, and still quite
lyound. (Dingo Creek, Belbowrie. near Wingham.) The life of rails of a
«hock-and-log fence is given at thirty-five years. Several witnesses give the
"life of rails at twenty years, others thirty years, other "fences" (? rails) at
forty and more. One corresiiondent gives the lives of " posts " at forty years.

Shingles are stated to la.st thirty years. Turning to shipbuilding, the plank-
ing, beams, &c., of a pilot steamer, after nineteen years' wear, were stated to
l>e " as sound as ever." At the London Exhibition of 1802 a piece of timber

t Not reproduced.

47

was shown from tlie hull of the steamer "William the Fourth,"' and properly
certified. With the exception of some slight charring on the mere surface of
the timl)er in the Immediate vicinity of the boilers, the entire fabric of this
vessel is as substantial and sound as when she was built iu the year 183()
(thirty-one years' wear). If the above statements as to the life of Spotted
Gum be examined (and reference to the evidence will show that other in-
stances of long life of the timber can be quoted), no doubt can remain that,
under the circumstances alluded to. Spotted Gum is a very durable timber ; in
fact, that it is one of the niost durable of our timbers for the purposes stated.

2. Strength, Toughness, and Elasticity.

We have already dealt with this in speaking of the fitness of Spotted Gum
for coachbuilders' pur])oses, &c.

3. Capacity for Bending.

This is readily admitted, and advantage is taken of this proi)erty, which
Spotted Gum possesses in a high degree, by the coachbuilder.

4. Lightness.

This is also a great advantage for light vehicles. Throughout the western
district the. coachbuilders purchase, at great expense, for cartage and railway
freight. Spotted (Jum for buggy and waggon building, no other available
timt)er having the same elasticity and toughness.

5. Easy Working.

It gives a clean face, takes paint readily, and when at all seasoned before
putting iu work does not warp or twist, particularly iu buggy shafts and[
ix)les.

6. Evenness of Quality.

This is an important question, all timl)er showing large gum-veins (or diK-
coloured in appearance), or carrying any sap whatever, should be rejecte<].
Timber must be cut fri)m fully-matured trees, absolutely free from heart or
heart-shakes and sai). Shipments should be luiiform in colour, from one dis-
trict if possible, and as free from veins as possible. For home railway waggon
sizes, it should be specially selected. We feel confident if this is done it wiJf>
at once command the attention of English engineers.

7. Large Sizes readily obtainable.

This is borne out by the heights and girths given by various correspondents
iu reply to question 19.

8. Comparative freedom from pipe.

This is more particularly applicable to southern Spotteil Gum, and we do
not know that it Ciin be altogether considered to be an advantage. Freedom
from pii)e means jiresence of heart, inferior timber in regard to which sijeciafe
care is, or should be, taken to renn)ve.

We do not reconmiend it for scjuare girders, as it shells in square siz«'>f^
under sun exposure.

(6) Disadvantages (an stated hy various correspondents) .

1. Liability to warp and twist.

2. Inclination to si)llt.

3. Liability to attack by white ants.

4. Great thickness of worthless sapwood.

5. Presence of gum-veins.

1. Liability to Warp and Twist (irregular shrinking).

If the timber Is cut when the sap is down, and allowed to season without
exposure to the sun, it shrinks evenly, but if exposed to sun, and cut full of
sap in small sizes, free of heart it twists from the heart out, — that is to say,
it curves, with the heart side cm tlie circumference.

Opinions are nearly equally divided, but the balance of opinion is in favour
of Spotted Gum not shrinking more than colonial hardwoods usually do.

48

2. Inclination to split.

It does not split any more than Blaclvbutt, and not as niucli as Sydney Blue
Gum (E. saligna). We thinlv that increased attention should be siven to the
proper period for felling Spotted Ginn, i.e., it should not be cut when th.e sap
is up.

3. Liability to attack by White Ants.

Diversity of opinion exists in regard to this, but we are of opinion the dura-
bility of Spotted Gum is equal to that of the average colonial timbers as
regards white ants, and superior to that of Ironbark and Blackbutt, to which
they are very partial.

4. Great thickness of worthless Sapwood.

The sapwood of Spotted Gum> decays most rapidly of all the sapwoods of the
best timbers, and perhaps even of those of all hardwoods whatsoever. It is
utterly worthless, and has contributed a good deal to the prejudice which
exists in some quarters in regard to Spotted Gum. The sapwood should be
removed with the greatest care. The sapwood readily crumbles to a tine jWAvder
through the operations of the larvae of a small beetle (Lyctus hninneus), but
these insects confine their attention to the sapwood. Because of the similarity
of the sap to the other part of the timber, and because of the worthlessness of
the former, the inspection of Spotted Gum demands especial care ou the part
of the inspector of timber.

We consider that it is especially unsuited for telegraph poles and piles,
inasmuch as saplings of the size required for such purposes carry an inordinate
proportion of sapwood, which is of a peculiarly perishable nature.

Spotted Gum should be cut from mature trees, and should be free from sap
and heart-wood. It also should be well seasoned.

5. Presence of Gum-veins.

The timber is often deteriorated by the presence of gum-veins, ,ind wo
recommend the timber to be " as free of gum-veins as can be procured."'

Minimum Girth for Felling.

The regulations of the Forest Department preclude the cutting of Spotted
Gum trees less than G feet in girth, measured 5 feet from the ground.

In our opinion this regulation concerning minimum girth should be strictly
enforced, and, if possible, should be extended to 7 ft. G in.

Size. — The Spotted Gum is not usually more than 60 to 100 feet high,
and with a stem diameter of more than 4 feet. Larger trees are, however,
not phenomenal.

Mr. M. Ryan, of Little Mill, Cullendulla, writes to the Evening News,
ISth June, 1895 :—

About li miles from my residence there stands, in Casey's Gully, an enor-
mous Spotted Gum, said to be largest on the South Coast. Those who have
compared it with one on Air. Higgins's selection, 14 miles distant, give the
palm to that in Casey's Gully. Its circumference at the base is 44 ft. 1 in. ;
about 5 feet from the ground it measures 40 ft. 3 in. It scarcely tai^ers from
that to the first limb, which projects at a height of 75 feet. The tree is about
100 feet high.

Another South Coast tree (Bateman's Bay) was examined by Mr. Forester
Allan. It was 90 to 100 feet to the first limb, girth at 5 feet, 25 feet, and
even up to 18 feet at first limb. The average was 21 feet for whole barrel.

Halntat.— Until a few years ago the Spotted Gum was believed to be
confined to New South Wales and Queensland. Mr. A. W. Howitt, how-
ever, received a' specimen from Mr. J. H. King, showing that it occurs on
the eastern slope of a spur from, the Tarra Mountain, on the track from
Buchan to Orbost, Gippsland, Victoria, and about 15 miles from the former
place, where it forms a small compact colony of a few acres in extent.

F. Fl., pl.27.

EUCALYPTUS MACULATA, Hk. (The Spotted Gum.)

49

In New South Wales it is found along the coast and coastal ranges. The
most western locality known to rae is Poggy, a wild district a few miles
from Merriwa. There is also some on the Mudgee-Cassilis road. It prefers
ridges and poor country, and is commonly found with Ironbark. It extends
into Queensland, and is common in the south, but its northern limit is not
defined. It probably merges into the lemon-scented form, which, according'
to Bailey, is found about Gladstone, Rockhampton, Springsure, Herberton,
and Port Denison. The late Rev, J. E. Tenison- Woods says this is found
right up to the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Following are localities handy to Sydney: — Liverpool to Campbelltown,
At 3 miles from the former town there is much Spotted Gum, and thence
on to the Bringelly-road. On another road leading out of Liverpool there is
plenty of Spotted Gum before Bonnyrigg is reached, i.e., on the Badgery's
Oreek road there is plenty up to 6 or 7 miles.

EXFLANATIOX OF PLATE 2T.

A. Sucker or juvenile foliage.

B. Twig, bearing flowers.
c. Fruits.

Eucalyptus corymhosa^ Sm.

The Bloodwood.

Botanical Name. — Corymhosa, from the Greek horumhus, or Latin
corymhus^ a summit. Hence the term corymb, in botany, Avhere the stalks
of the individual flowers are gradually elongated, so that the flowers are
brought approximately to the same level (or top, or summit). The inflor-
escence of the Bloodwood (see Plate) is not a perfect corymb.

Yernacular Name. — This tree is, perhaps, as fortunate in its vernacular
name as any of the Eucalypts. It exudes abundance of kino (popularly
known as "gum" — hence "gum-tree"), and, when freshly exuded, this has
all the appearance of a stream of blood. So freely does it flow, and so like
blood is it, that sometimes the appearance of the ground at the foot of one
of the trees is quite startling. It is one of the few eucalypts that enjoys but
one vernacular nanie. At the same time there are some other Bloodwoods.
ip, various parts of the Australian States.

Leaves. — The fine parallel venation of the leaves should be observed, for
it is characteristic. If the very young leaves be pulled asunder it will be
noticed that they are drawn into fine glutinous threads, which are largely
composed of caoutchouc or indiarubber.

Flowers. — ^White or creamy in^ colour. This tree flowers at a very early
age, and very profusely. It is in consequence much visited by parrots, and
hees and other insects. As far as beetles are concerned, the trees about
Sydney flower too late in the season for the flower-haunting beetles, but a
number of the fossorial wasps (Scolias and Thynnus) are very fond of this
tree, and so also are a few of the late beetles. — (W. W. Froggatt.)

Fruit. — The urn-shaped fruit is noticeable. The shape of the fruit in
^his species is referred to at page 51.

Seeds of this species from the Port Jackson district" are plump, with solid
angles, and with little or no wing. As one proceeds northwards the seeds
flatten and become more winged. By the time Rockhampton, Queensland*-

50

is reached, the seeds are very flat, and resemble Casuarina seeds. The
timbers are red, and appear to be like that of the common bloodwood in
each case. Eucalyptus seeds are worthy of fuller investigation,

Barh. — The scaly appearance of this bark is characteristic, and, should bo
noticed. It covers the whole of the trunk, and extends to the tips of the
smallest branches. It is of a reddish-brown colour, and is often blotched
with blood-like stains of kino.

The late Dr.' Joseph Bancroft stated that charcoal was made from Blood-
wood bark by the aborigines of Moreton Bay, and used by them as au
antiseptic application to wounds. This particular species was chosen, I
imagine, from the scaly nature of the bark, which facilitated charcoal-
making.

Timber. — It owes its name because of the large quantity of blood-like
fluid (gum or kino) which exudes from the tree, and which, when indurated,
forms the gum-veins so common in this timber.

It is liable to shell concentrically, the spaces thus formed being often
filled with the red astringent substance known as " gum." It is one of the
most durable of all Australian timbers. It does not split at the ends when
exposed to the sun, as many of our timbers do. It is valuable for such
purposes as require a durable timber. For posts in the ground, and for use
in culverts, it is all but imperishable. The great drawback to this timber
is its liability to gum-veins, but in spite of this I look vipon much of the
prejudice against Bloodwood as unreasonable. It would be unacceptable for
export, as we have abundance of better timbers, but I certainly think it
ought to be used more than it is where readily available. Where not too
defective, I should look upon it as an ideal timber for wood-paving. By too
defective I refer to cases where the timber shells too much ; but the presence
of gum-veins of moderate width, in timbers such as this and Grey Gum, I
would not look upon as an important defect in wood-blocks, as this astrin-
gent " gum " tends to preserve the block rather than injure it. 1 have seen
timber rejected for wood-blocks because of gum-scabs and gum-veins, which
would, of course, be inadmissible in a furniture wood, for instance, but
which would in no way be detrimental to a wood-pavement. The scrupulous
care which is insisted upon in some contracts to reject wood-blocks because
of gum- veins, sometimes degenerates into mere faddism, and it is only
possible to select so severely, because at present we have an enormous timber
supply to fall back upon. I would, therefore, recommend the framing of
wood-block contracts in such a way as to allow the inspecting officer some
latitude in dealing with timber containing gum-veins.

Used for posts, naves, &c., also for small culverts. I would like to see it
used increasingly for such work as this; it would economise ironbark. It
is very resistant to white ant. The old wharf at Port Maequarie is laid
without piles, with Bloodwood stringers and Bloodwood bed, which have
been down forty years, and are now perfectly sound. (Written in 1895.)

It is stated to be the most durable timber in the Cape Hawke district.
When it shells, it is of course useless, but when it is solid when it is felled
the sun never opens it out. In fact, Mr. Breckenridge, a man of very great
experience in timber, says that no timber stands the sun better.

Mr. Forester Rudder says of it: —

It is not apt to warp, or rend in seasoning, and is excellent for fence-posts
and s]eei)ers, and wherever round timber is required for use in culverts and

F. Fl., pi. 45.

EUCALYPTUS CORYMBOSA, Sm. (The Bloodwood.)

51

lirulges and for ballast Iors. and for .i.m"<*uii(1 work iicnerally, is in my opinion,
not to l>o surpassed, as it is as lastini;. and noi so combustible, or subjecit to
the white ant. as ironbark. For fuel in fui-naccs it ^'(^nerates more heat than
any wood I know.

Mr. District Forester Rotton, of Xowra, reports: —

As it seasons it reduces in weight, probably more than the wood of any other
tree of the Eucalypt family. Thoujjh soft when green it is not an <'asy timber
to work, and does not present a neat tinish owing to the numerous running
rings and gnm-vessels it contains. It is not an uncommon occurrence for a
l)iece of this wood of the length of a railway sleeper when squared to open
out from end to end as soon as the gum in the ring dries up. It is this defect
that rt^nders the wood useless for railway sleejiers. The I'ings develop as the
tree grows older. Bloodwood of young growth may be used as rafters and
corner-posts of rough buildings, and will last for many years.

Again, there is the Bloodwood of this district, in my opinion equal to Iron-
bark for railway .sleepers. I have asked the Commissioners to give it a trial
alongside Ironbark. and see which had longest life. They refuse, but do not
say why. I have had it hi the groimd over twenty years, and still good Iron-
bark is getting scarce, and the Bloodwood of this district is a good substitute.
I have taken great interest in the timlnn-s of this and the Clarence dLstrict foi-
tlie last twenty-five years, so am not writing about what I do not understand.

There is no doubt our timber should be a better asset for New South Wales
than it is. The waste at the present time is enormous. — (W. T. PuUen, Wool-
goolga.)

Exudations. — The kino or red " gum," which exudes from this tree, has
already been briefl.y referred to. When freshly exuded it has a distinct
smell, which appears to be characteristic, and is soon recognised. It is
something of a vinous odour. Much of the kino exuded becomes entangled
m the scaly porous bark, but one frequently comes across quite a store of
the substance through tapping the communication with the reservoir which
has collected behind the bark, or between the concentric circles of the wood.
The passage gets choked vip with indurated kino, but picking off the
substance often causes the stream to flow afresh.

It is the most brilliant in appearance of all the kinos. It is exceedingly
friable, and it is highly astringent. The blacks used to chiefly employ this
kino for tanning the skins of animals. Their modus operandi was to
skin the animal, put in the " gum " and some water, tie up, and shake the
skin " bottle " until the tanning was complete. Fishermen frequently use
the bark (with its entangled kino) for tanning their nets.

Size. — Usually a tree of medium size, i.e., with a height of say GO feet and
a stem diameter of 2 feet or 2 feet G inches. Speaking of the east slopes of
^ew England, Mr. A. R. Crawford writes to me : " I saw a Eucalyptuf;
^■orymhosa of 4 feet in diameter, height (approx.), of 80 feet to first limb.
Another of 4 feet, and height 70 feet."

Distrihution. — It extends all along the coast from the Bega district north-
v/ards to Queensland. It is also found on the coast ranges, where it attains
ji greater magnitude than in the coast country. It is only found on the"
eastern slopes of the high tablelands. It is very widely diffused in Queens-
land, extending to the northernmost part of that State, and is abundant
M'ithal.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 45.

A. Twig, bearing flowers.

B. Fruits, urn or urceolate in shape. Not quite ripe, but well

showing the constricted shape. (.v and b from Sydney
district. )

5&

Stringybarks.

1. Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha (Red Stringybark).

2. Eucalyptus capitellata (Brown Stringybark).

3. Eucalyptus eugenioides (White Stringj^bark).

Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha, F.v.M.

Red Stringybark.

Botanical Name. — Macrorrhyncha, from two Greek words, malcros, long,
and rrynchos, a beak, in allusion to the long, beaked flower-bud.

Vernacular Names. — It is usually known as " Stringybark " merely, but
by comparison with E. eugenioides as "Red Stringybark." .According to
Howitt, it is known as " Mountain Stringybark " in Gippsland, a name to
which in this State the other Stringybarks have also some claim. It is the
common Stringybark of the north-eastern districts of Victoria, and appear*
to be quite absent from the coast districts of New South Wales.

Fruits. — The fruit lias usually a sharp rim, but in northern and western
New South Wales specimens this is not always the case, the rim being often
rounded and even domed.

Timber. — Hard, and mostly tinged with a deeper red-brownish coloration,
but occurs also paler coloured; it is durable, and easily fissile into fence-
rails, shingles, and palings, and is very useful for all purposes for which
rough split timber is required above ground ; it is also sawn into weatherboards
and scantlings, and furnishes a fair fuel. This timber seems not to be
different from that of E. capitellata. It is the common Goldfields Stringy-
bark. and its timber is brown. A sample from the Monaro, New South
Wales, is an excellent furniture wood, being light, strong, and close-grained,
and capable of a good polish. It is, however, chiefly used for fencing and
wheelwrights' work in southern New South Wales.

Here are two reports by experts on timber of ascertained botanical origin.

" The common Stringybark of Central and North-eastern Victoria is of less
value as a timber tree than other Stringybarks. — (A. W. Howitt.)

" Red Stringybark. E. macrorrhyncha. A good and durable timber, as may
be seen from the examination of the fences in the district, which are nearly-
all of this timber, and some of them very old." — (Henry Deane, reporting on
the timbers of the Glen Innes to Tenterfield railway line, N.S.W., 1885.)

Size. — A large tree.

Habitat. — E. macrorrhyncha is found in Victoria' (where the type came
■from), South Australia, New South Wales, and southern Queensland.

New South Wales.
In this State it is found along the Dividing Range and Tableland from
south to north. It goes down the western slopes, and on the spurs of the
main range, and on the isolated ranges some distance into the interior.
The most westerly localities actually recorded are the Harvey and Warrum-
bungle. Ranges.

63

Southern Localities. — Quiedong, near Bombala (W. Baeuerlen) ; Bombala
to Delegate ( J.II.M.) ; Tantawunglo Mountain, Catheart, Montgomery's
Mill (H. Deane) ; Gungahleon (Goklsbrough, Mort, & Co.), with thick, short
leaves and strongly marked venation ; Tumut (W. W. Froggatt) ; Gundagai
(H. Deane) ; Barber's Creek (11. J. Rumsey) ; Bowral to Wombeyan Caves,
1 mile east (J.II.M. and R. H. Carabage) ; Cootamundra to Grenfell
(District Forester Arthur Osborne) ; Weddin, near Young ( J.H.M.) ; Bore-
nore, near Forbes (H. Deane), with fruits similar to those from
Cootamundra, &c.

Western Localities. — Hassan's Walls, Bowcnfels (J.II.M.) ; Capertee and
Suimy Corner, with remarkably angular rim to fruits (J.H.M. and J. L.
Boorman) ; Rylstono (R. T. Baker); Mndgee (W. Woolls). Fruits rather
smaller than the type.

A coarse grandiflora form, with the fruits i-inch in diameter, the rim
very prominent and nreeolate in shape, was collected by R. T. Baker at
Mount Vincent, also at Rylstone.

Perth, found only in the ranges around Apsley ; small stunted trees used
for props in the mines adjacent (J. L. Boorman).

" Red Stringybark," buds swollen like those of E. stellulata, Canoblas,.
Orange ; ditto (A. W. Howitt) ; Ophir, Orange (R. H. Cambage) ; Welling-
ton (A. Murphy).

Near top of Mount Bulaway, Warrumbungle Ranges, at 3,000 feet (W.
Forsyth). The angularity of the rim in these fruits is nearly obliterated,
and the pedicels are very short. The opercula are pointed, but far less
sharp than those of normal macrorrkyncha \isually are. That this tree is
a strong connecting link between E. capitellata and E. macrorrhyncha is
unquestionable. A form with normal fruits is also found in the Warrum-
bungle Ranges (W. Forsyth).

Minore, near Dubbo, perhaps the most westerlj^ locality in this herbarium
(J. L. Boorman.) Buds less angular than the type.

The Meadows, Dubbo district; used for fencing purposes and charcoal
(Assistant Forester A. R. Samuels). The buds remarkably like those of
E. rostrata, so much so, that a word of caution is necessary. This is not
an unusual thing in western forms, but the anthers and the venation of the
leaves are very different.

Northern Localities. — But it is as we travel north, farthest away from the
home of the type, that the aberrant forms become most plentiful. The
doming of the rim is usually a very good guide in this species, but some-
times this character is not well defined, and the rim must then be interpreted
with caution. E. macrorrliyncha runs into E. Muelleriana, the "Yellow
Stringybark " or " Blackbutt," without any doubt.

In Xew England the tendency of the leaves is to become smaller and more
coriaceous, and the buds to become less to more angular* than the type, the
operculum shorter, and the fruit more pear-shaped. The rim is not sharp,
and the domed portion is narrow. At the same time there are considerable^

*In the more exposed situations the mutual compression causes the buds to
be bluntly angular and compressed just like E. capitellata of the coast.

54

differences in the shapes and sizes of the fruits in these northern forms,
following: are some specimens in the National Herbarium: —

Tingha (R. II. Cambage) ; Howell, near Tingha (J.H.IVI. and J. L.
Boorman) ; Mount Seaview (J.H.M.) ; Bluff River, near Tenterfield, also
Glen Innes (H. Deane) ; Tent Hill, west of Deepwater (E, C. Andrews) ;
Emmaville (J. L. Boorman, E. C. Andrews).

QlEENSLAND.

. Stanthorpe (F. M. Bailey). ^

EXPLAXATIOX OF TLATE 102.

A. Juvenile leaves (from Bombala. X.S.W.).

B. Flowering branch (from Weddiu, N.S.W.).

c. Fruits (from Mount Esk, Bowan I'ark, near ("udal. X.S.W.).

Eucalyptus capitellata, Sm.

THK BrOWX STniXGYBAKK.

Botanical Name. — Capitellata, Latin, "a little head" or the '"top of
plants." In botany, capitellate. signifying- that the flowers are without
individual stalklets, and so form themselves into a head. This will be seen
from the drawing.

Vernacular Names. — As a very general rule, this tree is known merely as
Stringybark. "Red Stringj-bark " is a name sometimes applied to this
species in this State, in allusion to the darker colour of the wood as com-
pared with that of E. eiigenioides. It also goes under the name of " Broad-
leaved Stringybark." It is the " Mountain Stringybark " of Victoria
(A. W. Howitt). J. E. Smith (following White) called it "Brown Gtim-
tree." Messrs. Baker and ^ith have suggested the name " Brown Stringy-
bark " for this species, and the name is as good as any.

Barl-. — Often very thick and fibrous, a t.'si)ical Stringybark. the rough
bark sometimes extending to all but the smallest branches. Sometimes the
trees have a thinner, more sub-fibrous bark, with the upper portion of the
trunk and limbs smooth.

Timher. — Brown or reddish-brown when fresh, drying to a paler colour.
A good timber for splitting, and hence much used for posts, rails, biiildings
(formerly for shingles), and fuel. It is tough, strong, and durable.

Size. — A medium-sized tree as a rule, say 50 feet high, with a diameter
of 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches.

Mange. — This species is confined to iSTew South Wales, Victoria, and
South Australia.

Nf.w South Walks.

The type came from Port Jackson. Around Sydney it appears to be
almost (perhaps entirely) confined to the sandstone.

It occurs south, west, and north of Sydney, usually on poor rocky country.

Northern Localities. — The most northerly locality from, which we have it
is the Round Mountain, Guy Fawkes Range, 4,250 feet above the sea, and

F. Fl., pi. 102.

EUCALYPTUS MACRORRHYNCHA. F.v.M. (Red Strinoybark.)

F. Fl., pi. 106.

EUCALYPTUS CAPITELLATA, Sm. (The Brown Stringybark.)

65

about 50 miles east of Arinidale, on the Grafton Eoad. Buds as compressed
as it is possible for them to be. Fruits large and hemispherical. It also
occurs at New Apsley Falls, Walcha, near Swamp Oak, Walcha, and X4
miles east of Deep water, at 4,000 feet.

Southern Localities. — E. capitellata^ in its strictly typical form, is found
for a considerable distance along the coast. Following are some definite
localities : —

Bowral to Wombeyan. At Hilltop, near Mittagong, there is a variety
locally known as " Blue-leaf Stringybark." It is so called because the
leaves, especially in the sunlight, are observed to have a bluish cast, and
this bluish appearance (especially noticeable in the young leaves) is largely
retained on drying for the herbarium. The tops of the trees can be readily
noticed amongst the other foliage from a neighbouring eminence.

I look upon this as one of the forms intermediate between E. eugenioides
and E. capitellata. On account of the juvenile leaves, and of the fruits,.
I believe it to be nearer the latter than the former. The silvery or bluish
cast of some Eucalyptus trees as they grow in the forest merits further
inquiry. It is probable that several species present this appearance, perhaps
at some seasons, and in some localities, more than others. I have noticed
typical E. eugenioides in the Blue Mountains, with a " silver top."

" White Stringybark.'* — Tall trees, white bark, good timber, leaves bluish
tint, easily distinguished from " red " in the bush by the more robust
growth. Nye's Hill, Wingello, 8/99 (J. L. Boorm^n). The fruits are aa
small as those of E. eugenioides^ but compressed like those of E. capitellata.
They precisely resemble those of the Hilltop Blue-leaf Stringybark just
referred to. The " bluish tint " of the leaves is also similar. Buds stellate,
and strongly resembling those of E. eugenioides when young; coarse and
angular, like those of E. capitellata, when more mature.

Clyde Mountain specimens precisely resemble those from the Bluo
Mountains, to be referred to presently.

Western Localities. — Then we turn to a form which may provisionally
be referred to as the Blue Mountains form of the species, because it is so
readily studied there, but it also occurs coastwards and southwards.

It is not a perfect Stringybark, as compared, e.g., v/ith macrorrhyncha,
which is more fibrous. The more fibrous bark is yellowish; close to the
wood it is white. Has clean limbs, at times slightly ribbony.

We have collected this form from Woodford to Cox's River (Bowenfels)
and the Jenolan Caves, and also at Mount Wilson. Further localities to
connect with the coast will be looked for. The most westerly locality froni
which it has been obtained is Mudgee, where it is called " Silvertop " (which,
points to a bluish cast), according to Mr. R. T. Baker, who collected it; also
Coricudgy Mount (R. T. Baker, October, 1897).

EXPLANATION OF PLATE IOC.

A. Juvenile leaves froni Middle Harbour, Port Jadvson. Notice
their almost orbicular shape and stellate (star-shaped) hairs.

15. Sucker leaves from Blackheath, Blue Mountains. Notice their
comparatively great width and stellate hairs.

c. Flowering branch. Note the angular or compressed buds.

D. Fruits from Port Jacksou, where the type came from. '

m

JEucalyptus eugenioides, Sieb.

A White Stringybark.

Botanical Name. — Eugenioides, from two words, Eugenia, a genus of
Hyrtaceous plants, and a Greek word, oidos, like, indicating that the foliage
reminded the describer of that of a Eugenia.

Vernacular Names. — It is usually known simply as " Stringybark." It is
often kno-wTi as " White Stringybark " in this State, and also in Victoria
(A. W. Howitt), but the timber is often reddish, and hence it bears the
name of " Eed Stringybark " also. In those eases E. capitellata, from the
same district, usually bears the name of '*' White Stringybark."

Later on, specific instances will be given where the colour of the timber
is not white; but on the whole this species appears to have paler timber than
the generality of the Stringybarks, and so the name " W hite Stringybark "
is as good as any.

The Stringybarks afford an excellent instance of the way in which timber-
trees refuse to be marshalled into well-defined groups, as we would like
them to do. It would save all persons concerned a great deal of trouble if
they would show less evidence of variation.

Baric. — The bark of the Stringybarks is .proverbially excellent for roof-
coverings for sheds, temporary houses, and the like. Often enough it covers
houses (even the walls) for anything but temporary purposes, lasting more
than a generation with care.

Timher. — When freshly cut usually dark brown, but drying to a pale
warm brown, and even whiter. In some districts, how^ever, the timber is
distinctly red, even redder than the local E. capitellata timber.

The timber of this species is good for building purposes, being strong and
■durable and not particularly liable to warp. It is often considered, as at
Mudgee, superior to " R?d Stringybark" (E. m,acrorrhyncha).

Following is an extract from the Catalogue of the Queensland Forestry
Museum, 1904.

Red stringybark {Eucalyptus eugenioides). Plentiful In southern coastal
districts.

A large tree, having a fibrous or stringy bark. Wood of a bright-red colour,
short-grained, and not capable of bearing a very heavy strain. It is not so
hard as other hardwoods, consequently fairly easy to work. Fencing-rails,
flooring-boards, railway sleepers, street-blocking, and general building pin-poses.

With reference to the normal species, Mr. H. A. Lowe, of Mudgee, N.S.W.,
a well-informed correspondent, writes under date 10th February, 1898 : —

I have a post and rail fence of this timber which has been erected for fifty-
two years, and the greater part of the fence is still in first-rate order.

A brickmaker pronounces Stringybark timber to be the best for burning
bricks, as it does not give out too much heat.

Size. — A medium-sized and even large tree. Trees 60-80 feet are not
tincommon.

Habitat. — It appears to be confined to eastern Victoria, New South
Wales, from south to north, on the Dividing Range and its spurs, and east
of them, and to southern Queensland.

61

New South Wales.

Southern Localities. — Twofold Bay ( J.H.M.) ; Wyndham aud Bemboka
(A. W. Howitt) ; Conjola, near Milton, with very long opercula (W. Heron) ;
south of Nowra, from Jcrvis Bay (J.H.M.) ; Shoalhaven River, also Diggers'"
Creek (W, Forsyth and A. A. Hamilton), with filiform pedicels; Kangaloon-
(J. L. Bruce) ; Barber's Creek (H. J. Rumsey) ; Wiugello (J. L. Boorman)^
medium trees, detected by short leaves and absence of glaucous tint. " Red
Striugybark," in contradistiuction to "White Stringybark '' (E. capitel-
lata), a reversal of this nomenclature being more common in other parts of
New South Wales. A second collector (A. Murphy) confirms Mr^
Boorman's report of the local nomenclature.

The Peaks, Burragorang (R. H. Cambage) ; Kangaroo Valley and Bowral
to Bullio (J.H.M. and R. H. Cambage).

Hill Top, with specially marked white-dotted fruits and elongated
opercula (J.H.M.).

Sydney district, common on the Wianamatta Shale, biit also found on
sandstone. Following are some Sydney district localities : — Homebush
(J.H.M.); Concord Park (R. H, Cambage); Bankstown and Cabramatta
(J. L. Boorman) ; Hurstville (R. H. Cambage), the valves sunk; La
Perouse (W. W. Froggatt) ; Peat's-road (II. Deane) ; Newport (R. H.
Cambage) .

Western Localities. — To the foot of the Blue Mountains from Sydney, it
is rather common. It is the commonest Stringybark on the Blue Moun-
tainsf occurring all over the range, and at all heights. Compared with the
other rather common Blue Mountain Stringybark (E. capitellata) , the
timber is redder ( !). The juvenile foliage is narrower, and not glaucous,,
like that of E. capitellata. The fruits of E. eugenioides on the Blue-
Mountains are not often cxsert ; instances to the contrary are Springwood (H^
Deane); Mount Wilson (Jesse Gregson), with intier bark very yellow.

Jenolan Caves (W. F. Blakely).

At Capertee (J. L. Boorman) and Mudgee (District Forester G. Marriott)
it is known as " White Stringj'bark."

E. eugenioides does not appear to go further west than Jenolan Caves
and Mudgee.

Northern Localities. — Most of the northern specimens have the rims red
and prominent, and the valves slightly exsert.

" Good timber, cut for sleepers. Yellow inner bark, between the rough
and the inner bark; the fibrous portion very tough." Wyee (A. Murphy).

" Stringybark, free splitting ; bark between sap and outside, yellow." St.
Alban's district, Hawkesbury River (A. Murphy).

Wallsend (W. W. Froggatt, J. L. Boorman); Booral (A, Rudder).

" Stringybark, height about 60 feet, diameter 18 inches, mould over shale.""
Near Underbank, Upper Williams River (A. Rudder, G. 10).

Pokolbin, No. 1,486 (R. H. Cambage).

Stewart's Brook. Rim of fruit red and pronounced (J.H.M.) ; Moggrani
Mountain, Gloucester (J.H.M.) ; Upper Hastings River (J.H.M.) ; Macleay
River (Forester W. Macdonald).

58

Murrurundi (J.ft.M. and J. L. Boorman). Valves slightly exsert, rim
ibroadish, hemispherical, slightly depressed, with short filiform pedicels,
connecting with the " Bastard Stringybark " of Penrith.

Collaroy (J.H.M. and J. L. Boorman), showing white dots and a slight
ribbing of the fruits.

Near Cemetery, Tingha (R. H. Cambage) ; with fruits a litttle more
sub-cylindrical and perhaps a little more domed than the typo. Specimens
from the same locality with nearly pilular fruits and very narrow juvenile
foliage.

Near 11-mile post, Inverell to Tingha (R. H. Cambage). Form with even
narrower leaves than the type.

Tingha to Guyra, 19 miles from the latter place (J.H.M. and J. L. Boor-
Kian). Juvenile leaves intermediate. Mature leaves broadish. Fruits
(from same tree) flat-rimmed, domed; valves exsert and sunk; hemispherical
and inclined to be sub-cylindrical.

Fruits in heads, slightly constricted, valves sunk. Tent Hill (E. C.
Andrews) .

Small fruits in heads, valves not exsert, Styx River (A. W. Howitt). 'T
have other specimens from the same locality, showing close affinity to
E. Muelleriana.

Walcha (J. F. Campbell). Fruits rather exsert, and rim inclined to be
domed. Shows affinity to E. macrorrliyncha. Ascending New England from
Port Macquarie, this species was first observed about Yarrowi^eh. Thence
it was not uncommon in the Tia district, where it is known 'as " Red
Stringybark," and used for timbering the mines at Tia, and also locally for
flooring-boards. This species shows t; double operculum (J.H.M.).

Tenterfield to Sandy Flat (J.H.M.). Fruits very similar to those of
Sydney, e.g., C'Oncord Park (believed to be typical), hemispherical, and
somewhat exserted valves. Buds very compressed, almost like capitellata.

Drake to Richmond River (A, Hagman) ; Drake (E. C. Andrews), with
rim of fruit rather sharp and valves exsert (transit to E. Muelleriana).

Foot of Mount Lindsay (W. Forsyth) ; Moonambah, Richmond River (W.
Baeuerlen) ; valves slightly exsert.

EXPLANATION OF TLATE 110.

; A. Juvenile leaves, drawn from Sieber's type. Note their narrow-

ness, their toothed margins, and stellate hairs.
B. Twig with buds,
i c. Fruits. •

F. Fl., pi. 110.

EUCALYPTUS EUGENIOIDES, Sieb. (A White Stringybark.)

5'J

Blackbutt Series.

1. Eucalyptus pilularis (The True Blackbutt)^

2. Eucalyptus Muelleriana (Yellow Striiigybark).

3. Eucalyptus acmenioides (White Mahogany).

4. Eucalyptus goniocalyx (Mountain Gum).

5. Eucalyptus Sieberiana (Yowut or Mountain Ash),
(j. Eucalyptus ohliqua (Broad-leaved Messmate).

JEucalyptus pilularis^ Sm.
The BiiACKBUTT.

Botanical Name. — pilularis, from the Latin pilula, a little ball or round
knob, in allusion to the shape of the fruit.

Vernacular Names. — It is the tree which most usually goes under the name
of " Blackbutt," and sometimes by way of distinction, for it attains enormous
size, as will be seen presently, the " Great Blackbutt." It is a stately, shapely
tree, and perhaps the best known of all the genus to Sydney residents, as
it is so abundant. It belongs to the group of eucalypts called '' half -barked,"
because its rough outer bark is confined to the trunk of the tree, the branches
being smooth and white. From the latter circumstance it shares with some
other species the designation of " White-top." The outer bark of this tree is
fibrous and closely matted, forming, if I maj' make the comparison, a sort of
middle link betweeen such fibrous-barked trees as the Stringybarks and such
smooth ones as our White Gum. I do not know that the term " black," as
applied to the butt, is particularly appropriate; the word "grey" would be
better, though exception couldi be taken to this adjective also.

Leaves. — Note the pale underside of the leaf.

Baric. — Has fibrous bai'k on the butt, while the branches are smooth, like
those of a gum.

Timber. — Pale-coloured, more or less fissile, though sometimes quite
interlocked in grain. It is a strong, durable, thoroughly safe, and well-tried
timber. It is usually readily diagnosed by the presence of narrow, con-
centric gum-veins, but sometimes these gum-veins are nearly or wholly
absent. As a rule they are too narrow to cause deterioration. Sometimes,
particularly on the Northern Eivers, it is free from gum-veins, and then
presents considerable similarity to Tallow-wood {E. microcorys), for which
it is occasionally substituted. It occasionally, though rarely, shows pin-
holes.

It is one of the best hardwoods we have for house and ship building.
It is useful for bridge-planking, though inferior to Tallow-wood for that
jiurpose. It has been tested for many years for blocks for wood-paving,
with most satisfactory results; in fact, it is one of the best timbers we
liave for the purpose, both as regards wear and durability. It takes tar well.

60

After Ironbark I would place this timber second only to Tallow-wood,
amongst our hardwoods, for general purposes. Of late years it has been
used for railway sleepers, and it has been exported to Europe for sides and
head-stocks for railway waggons as an experiment.

Size. — It is one of the largest of our euealypts. and giant trees have been
recorded over the greater portion of the area in which it abounds.

A tree at Bulli was measured by me in 1891, with the following results: —

Oirth at ground, m-easuring from buttress to butttress, 57 ft. 6 in.; the
girth at 3 feet from the ground was 45 feet; and at 6 feet above the
ground, 40 feet. The taper was then very gradual for about 90 feet
(estimated), where the head is broken off. There are ten principal but-
tresses of an average diameter of over 2 feet, but they practically cease to
flute the trvmk at a height of 10 to 15 feet. This is, probably, the identical
tree measured by the late Sir William Macarthur in 1861 at " Bullai, lUa-
warra, still in full vigour, and with no external symptoms of decay, 41 feet
in circumference, with the bole of immense height." Mr. A. G. Hamilton
speaks of " Bulli Blackbutt, 22 yards in circumference at ground, and at
stump height would be not much less, as it does not taper much." One
at Gosford was measured 156 feet high, and 23 feet in circumtference at a
height of 6 feet.

Habitat. — Extending into Queensland on the north, and to Twofold Bay,
New South Wales, on the south, from the coast up the slopes and spurs
of the Dividing Range to the Table-land, but apparently not found more
than 100 miles from the coast, and scarcely crossing on to the western slope
in any place.

This species attains its greatest development in New South Wales. The
type came from Port Jackson, and it is the coastal form of the species, as a
rule.

I have not seen it from Victoria, but should not be surprised to find it
in north-eastern Gippsland.

Propagation. — It is well known that the Blackbutt reproduces itself more
freely and more rapidly than most other hardwoods, so much so that when a
large one is felled, a dense growth of seedlings, growing into straight
saplings, is the usual consequence. It, however, reproduces itself most
abundantly upon rich moist fiats, which is the description of land in
greatest demand for agricultural pursuits, so that it will, no doubt, be
necessary in future to revoke portions of the most easily accessible and
richest land in the blackbutt forests in the interests of selectors and for
encouragement of agriculture. Wherever practicable, I would recommend
the retention of Blackbutt forest reserves, even although the mature timber
may have been removed therefrom, and also the proclamation of additional
Blackbutt reserves in suitable localities not likely to be required for settle-
ment, and, at the same time, the preservation and conservation of other
useful species of hardwoods, w-hich are not so abundant as Blackbutt.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 116.
Typical, form -from Port Jaclcson.

1. Yoimg shoot. ix)rtion of a seedling. Note the dentate margin,

and tufts of hairs; also anthers.

2. Flowering twig, the buds with pointed opercula.

3. The fruits are nearly globular (pilular).

F. Fl., pi. 116.

EUCALYPTUS PILULARIS, Sm. (Typical form from Port Jackson.)

u

Eucalyptus Muellerlana, Ilowitt.

The Yellow Stringybark.

Botanical Name. — Muellerlana, in honour of the late Baron von Mueller,
Government Botanist of Victoria.

Vernacular Names. — Called " Yellow Stringybark '■ in Gippsland, because
the bark is very yellow when freshly cut; the timiber is also yellowish.
Occasionally it goes by the same name in coastal N^ew South Wales.

At one time I hoped that this yellowness (where evidence of its presence
is available) might be a useful diagnostic character. It is certainly useful
sometimes, but it breaks down in that it is observable in E. eugenioides
and other species. The presence of this colouring matter in various trees
is worthy of investigation by the chemist, as it may be of some aid to
diagnosis not clearly understood at present.

At Wingello, in the Goulburn district, it goes by the name of " White
Mahogany," but it nuist not be confused, with the true White Maliogany,
E. acmenioides ; in the coast districts it is sometimes called '' Blackbutt,"
like E. pilularis, to which it is closely related.

Sometimes in Northern New South Wales, it goes under 'the name of
" Mountain Stringybark," and in other localities simply " Stringybark," and
also '' Messmate."

Bail-. — More or less fibrous on the trunk. Sometimes the branches are
quite smooth, at others covered, more or less, with fibrous bark. The
texture of the rough bark also varies, sometimes it is rather compact, like
that of the common Blackbutt ; in other trees it is densely fibrous, and well
worthy of the name of Stringybark.

Timher. — It is a valuable fissile timber, to all intents and purposes identical
with Blackbutt; that will be its best description.

In New South Wales it is valued for building purposes, being used for
flooring and weatherboards, <Sre. Tinibor-getters describe it as " a very clean
tim/ber."

The timber of this tree is usually darker in tint than E. piperita. Tt is
fissile, free from gum veins or shalvcs. clear in the grain, and enjoying a great
reputation for durability. It is used for fencing and sawing, and. according
to Mr. Macalpine. of Yarraville. who has lived for forty years in South Gipps-
land, fences are still standing with posts split from this eucalypt, which have
been from thirty to forty years in the ground. T have, myself, observed posts
of this timber standing in fences at Woodside since ISHO. The local name of
this tree is "Yellow Stringybark."— (Howitt. Trwrj.s-. Roy Soc. Vict, 1890.)

The late Mr. Clement Hodgkinson, a Commissioner of the Melbourne
Harbour Trust, interested himself in ascertaining the value of the timber
of the Yellow Stringybark, and there is no doubt that it ie one of the
best Victorian timbers. Following are extracts from Mr. Hodgkinson's
report to the Harbour Trust, of the 17th January, 1891 : —

The Inspector-Genei'al of Public Works having (on the Gth December last, in
reply to a letter from me to him on the 23rd November) informed me that the
.piles of the Welshpool Jetty were driven during 1859. and that, after the
recent burning of that jetty it was repaired. " the stumps of the piles were
found to be in such excellent preservation that they were not withdrawn, but
short pieces were .spllceti on," ray colleagues and myself were able to obtain
specific and reliable evidence to the effect that these piles were Yellow Stringy-
bark, cut during August, 1859, and driven during that year. We carefully

62

scrutinised these old piles when the tide was low, and found them to be pei'-
fectly sound, uninjured by sea-worms, and having the api^earance of clean,
well-seasoned timber, in excellent condition, notwithstanding that these piles
had been in sea water more than thirty-one years.

AVith reference to the wharf at Port Albert, the I iispectoi"- General of Public
Works, in his letter to me, already alluded to, stated that " Yellow Stringy-
bark and Gum are in use in the wharf and approaches to Port Albert. It is
reix)rted that, whei-eas the (ium is fast decaying, the Stringybark remains
sound." My colleagues and self, after examination of the Port Albert Wharf,
now corroborate this statement; the Yellow* Stringybark used in the con-
struction of this wharf is quite sound.

We also inspected many old posts and rails, beams, planks, weatherboards,
&c., of this kind of Eucalyptus, and we all noticed that it seemetl less liable
to warp than any other kinds of Eucalyptus, a fact mentioned in one of my
l)revious rejiorts on Yellow Stringybark. As. in addition to the specially
imjiortant quality of great durability in the sea water. Yellow Stringybark has
a specitic strength very much greater than that of Red Gum and than that of
.Tarrah (as shown in the tabulated results of my tests of Yellow Stringybark,
inserted in my report of Hth July, 1890), my colleagues and myself have
arrived at the conclusion that this species of Eucal.yptus may be used for iiiles
and other puriwses in the Melbourne harbour works.

Size. — A large tree. Trees 60 feet high, witli a trunk diameter of 3 feet,
are not uncommon.

Habitat. — It is found in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.

In Victoria, it has an extensive range in the western half of Gippsland.
It also occurs in the Grampians and other localities nearer to South Aus-
tralia.

In South Australia it is found in the Mount Lofty Range.

It is, however, most develoi^ed in ISTew South Wales, extending from south
to north, and I do not doubt that it occurs in Queensland, although it has
not been formally recorded from that State.

Thus in New South Wales we have it from Twofold Bay, near Nelligen,
the Goulburn district, Milton, and Mount Kerahla.

Western localities are Kanimbla Valley and the Rylstone district.

Going north, we have it on the Liverpool Range and eastern New England
as far as Tenterfield. It is very widely diffused in the northern districts and
presents a good deal of variation there.

It occurs in broken country generally, preferring the taluses of the hills
in moderately good soil. It does not like exposed situations.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 113.

1. Seedling.

2. Flowering twig. Note the clavate (club-shaped or rounded)

buds.

3. Twig-bearing fruits. Note their nearly spherical shape and

marked rims.

/

Eucalyptus acmenioidesy Schauer.
TiiK White Mahogany.

Botanical Name. — Acmenioides, from two words — Acmena and the Greek,
oides (like). Our common Lilly Pilly, Eugenia Smithii, was once knovm as
Acmena, and the leaves of E. acmenioides reminded Schauer of those of
Eugenia Smithii {Acmena).

F. Fl., pi. 113.

EUCALYPTUS MUELLERIANA, Howitt. (The Yellow Stringybark.;

Vernacular Names. — " White Mahogany." This tree has a pale-coloured
timber, which bears no resemblance to the mahogany of commerce or to the
Iiod or Forest Mahogany of New South Wales. It gets its name because of
its pale colour, and because the bark of the tree was thought to resemble
that of the Red Mahogany. The name is in universal use in the State, and
cannot now be disturbed.

It is stated to be known as " Stringybark " at Rockingham Bay, Queens-
land, while " Broad-leaved Box " (a bad name, and likely to lead to con-
fusion) is also quoted for this species.

Timber. — To say that it resembles Tallow-wood a good deal, but that it is
Italer in colour, that it is not greasy, and harder than the better-known
limber, will perhaps give a good idea of it. It is one of the most durable
timbers in Nfw South Wales. I know of posts of it in different parts of the
State quite sound after the vicissitudes of more than half a century. Its
chief drawback is some tendency to shell off. Users of it have even gone so
far as to assure me that it is far more durable than Ironbark or Box. It is
n tough, strong, useful timber. I believe it will be found an. excellent
timber for wood-blocks, but I would discourage exportation of it at present
except under close supervision, as I have known Stringybark substituted for
it, perhaps through inadvertence. Its hardness is a drawback, and the trees
are sometimes unsound; but it is so good a timber that I would invite our
timber men to give more attention to it in future It is one of those timbers
which is not so well known as it should be, because it has been constantly
confused with others. It is excellent for posts, piles, girders, &c., and is
iiseful for general building purposes. It would be desirable to thoroughly
test it for the decking of bridges.

Mr. R. T. Baker says that it promises well for golf club heads, being hard
and close-grained, and not too heavy.

Is White Mahogany Durable^

Doubt has been cast on the durability of White Mahogany. For example,
Mr. J. V. de Coque has published the following statement : —

This timber bears no resemblance in colour to the Red Mahogany, but is
remarkably like the light-coloured Tallow-wood ; in fact, it takes an experi-
enced eye to detect any diCference in the two timbers. It is often substituted
for Tallow-wood, and unfortunately is not equal to it in durability or value.
Unlike Tallow-wood, it shrinks a good deal in seasoning, and is much more
oixni in grain. For general purposes it should only rank as a third-class hard-
wood, and when called uix)n to stand exi)osure should be avoided.

The late Augustus Rudder (one of the best of New South Wales foresters)
wrote :

In brushy places this tree attains to a considerable size up to 5 feet in
diameter, but in the open it is usually smaller. It is one of our Stringybarks,
and is fairly plentiful along tlie Northern Coast country. The wood of this
tree is hard, and very close in tlie grain, but si)lits easily, and is very similar
in appearance to that of Tallow-wood. The princii^al defects of this timber
are a tendency to rings and pin-holes. For lasting in the ground, as far as I
know. It has no equal. I have seen fence-posts of it quite sound after being
in use for over fifty years.

When on a trip along the central North Coast districts some years ago, I
published the note —

Occurs from about Booral to Gloucester, and theu along the coast at least
as far as Kempsey. Irregularly distributed with Stringybark {E. eugenioides,

64

Sieb.) on the ridges. Not often cut in the saw-mills, because it is hea^T and
hard to saw, perhaps also because it is often faulty. It is very durable
timber, and is used for posts and rails, and also for palings. It is very durable
in the ground, lasting longer than Red Mahogany. Mr. Forester Macdonald
told me of round posts in the ground near Kempsey quite sound after thirty
years. It is stated to gum the saw.

The following letter was written to me by Mr. C. J. Cullen, of Kin-
cumber, some years ago: —

There is on my land at Kincumber the remains of an old fence that I am
credibly informed was erected fifty-five years ago (i.e.. 1S.37"). and although most
of it has succumbed to wear and tear and bush fires, many of the posts and
rails remaining are still quite sound. I am not sure how many kinds of timber
were used, but can identify some of the posts as " White Mahogany," a timber
that, I believe, under favourable circumstances would last 100 years, in the
ground or out of it. . . The tree has a i-ough bark of a yellowish-brown or
ginger colour, and the wood is a pale yellow. It is ex( ellent for any puri)ose in
building except for sawn boards, as it chafes (sic) into concentric rings. It
will do, however, for piles, girders, or sleepei's, and will last double tlie time
that Iroubark, Box, or Turpentine will.

Ill the Kincumber (Gosford) district White Mahogany is a well-known
timber, and the balance of evrd'ence available to me shows that it is durable.
At the same time there is no doubt that we can have inferior Wliite
Mahogany, just as we can have inferior kinds of other timbers.

The Official Catalogue of the Queensland Forestry Mv.seum, 1904, says:

A large tree, with a fibrous persistent bark; wood of a light-bro^VTi colour,
close grained, fairly hard, and very durable.

Used for all kinds of building purposes, and for fencing posts and rails.

Size. — It attains the dignity of a large tree, with a height of 100 feet, and
a trunk diameter of 5 feet; but its usual size is much less.

Habitat. — It is confined to Eastern Xew South Wales and Queensland.
Its southernmost locality known to nie is the Port Jackson district; its
most northern is Rockhampton, Queensland, occurring in coastal districts
and tablelands. Westerly I have it from Drake, near Tenterfield; but its
range is worthy of further investigation.

I do not doubt that a good deal of country reported to be Stringybark is
really White Mahogany of one form or another. Both trees like the same
situations — well-drained, sterile hills and mountain sides.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 120.

A. Juvenile leaves.

B. Flowering branch.

c. Fruits (Gosford District).
D. Smaller fruits from Brisbane.
' E. Buds.

Eiicalyptits goniocalyx, E.v.M.
The Mountain Gum.

Botanical Name. — Gonicalyx, from two Greek words — gonio (an angle),
and JiUrpos (a fruit), in reference to the raised edge on the fruit.

Yernacular Names. — This is the common "Spotted Gum" of Victoria
(the common "Spotted Gum" of New South Wales is E. maculata), and
the " Mountain Gum " of New South Wales.

F. Fl., pi. 120.

EUCALYPTUS ACMENIOIDES, Schauer. (White Mahogany.)

65

Leaves. — In exceptional cases, other gum-trees have even longer leaves;
but some of the present species I received from the southern part of this
State almost measured 17 inches without the stalk.

Fruit. — The angularity — to which it owes its specific name — may be
noted. It is more evident on some trees than on others.

Bark: — At Hassan's Walls, Mount Victoria, N.S.W., has "box" bark up
to the first fork and beyond.

Timber. — Mueller describes the Victorian wood as —

Hard and tough, usually free from kino veins. It varies from a pale yellow-
ish to a brownish colour, is exceedingly durable, and lasts longer underground,
not warping, and on account of the interwoven woody fibres is almost as
difficult to split as IJ. rostruta. It is much esteemed by wheelwrights, particu-
larly for spokes, for ship and boat building, for railway sleei>ers, and wheu not
used for better purposes, it is sought for fuel. According to Mr. Boyle, the
rough-barked variety* from low, dry, and stony ranges, supplies a timber
which wheelwrights consider equal to ii'onbark, with the advantage of its
not being so weighty ; the taller mountain variety, with smootlier bark, is more
used for i)lanks, piles, and general building purposes — the timber also in this
instance being more durable than that from wet forest valleys. This wood
resembles, in many respects, that of E. globulus.

Habitat. — It is confined to Gippsland (Victoria) and New South Wales.

New South Wales. — With us, E. gonicalyx is usually known as Mountain
Gum; I have also heard it called Blue Gum, Ribbon Gum, and other names.
It is usually found in gullies — bottoms or sides — and prefers good soil. It
attains a diameter of 6 feet, and with 80 feet or 90 feet of barrel. Its
timber has been passed both for Tallow-wood (E. microcorys) and Box
(E. hemipJdoia), but it more closely resembles the former. It is very hard
when dry, and nails do not readily drive in it; hence it is not so well liked
for building purposes as some softer but inferior timbers. It stands well
in the ground.

While not of equal merit to Ironbark, Tallow-wood, and other first-class
timbers of the State, it is undoubtedly of considerable value, and deserves
an honourable place amongst the timbers of the second-class.

In New South Wales it is sometimes known as " Yellow Gum," owing to
the yellowish cast of the foliage (especially when young), of the bark, and
of the timber (particularly when fresh). There are several so-called
" Yellow Gums " in New South Wales, but they must not be confused vsdth
the "Yellow Box" or "Yellow Jacket" (E. melliodora).

In New South Wales it occurs in the South Coast districts, and also in
the Coast and Main Range, and its spurs at least as far north and west as
the Blue Mountains. We require further investigation to determine its
northern boundary. Following are some localities in this State represented
in the National Herbarium, Sydney : —

SOUTH.

" Mountain Gum." — Cathcart and Tantawanglo Mountain (H. Deane
and J. H. Maiden).

"Ribbon Gum."— Candelo. (A. Rudder); Cooma District (W. Hutchin-
son); Twofold Bay (Tyockhart Morton).

" Grey Gum."— Benandra (J. S. Allan) ; West Dapto (R. H. Cambage) ;
Braidwood (J. S. Allan).

" Yellow Gum." — Wingello (A. Murphy, J. H. Maiden, J. L. Boorman) ;
Hill Top, a few miles north of Mittagong (J. H. Maiden).

*B. eUteopkora, F. v. M.
+ 94031— C

Following is a note on this timber, written by Mr. Forester J. S. Allan
in 1892 :—

It is found growing along the coast range, on the eastern and western fall
of the Irish Corner and Sugar Loaf Mountaiuss, within Forest IJeserve No. IGO.
county of St. Vincent. The timber is the best procurable in the Braidwood
dlstiict. and is used locally for bridge-planking, girders, dray-shafts, poles, and
for house-building; grows on high elevations in open forest countrj^ usually
sound.

When the lieartwood is cut out it is a durable timber, fine grained, and
free from gum-vein.^. I know several culveits that liave been decked with the
above timber over nine years, and the planks that were free from heart I
find are sound yet. The timber is equal to the " Spotted (ium " of the coast
districts. But there is an easily worked timber known as Ribbon Gum
(Eucalyptus Gunnii), the timber of which is worthless. It resembles the other
in colour, and has been very often substituted for " ^lountain Gum." The true
Mountain Gum, E. f/oniocal)j.r, is well suited for bridge-building, but requires
care to prevent the worthless timber referred to above from being substituted
in its place. For bridge work the trees should be felled when the sap is down ;
it will last many years longer.

In the Wingello district, E. goniocalyx is known as Yellow Gum, and
following are some notes that Mr. Crawford of that place obligingly gave
me : —

Six feet in diameter, up to SO or 90 feet of barrel. Found also at Bunda-
noon ; usually occurs in gullies — bottoms or on sides. Fond of good soil. The
timber has been jiassed for Tallow-wood and Box, but it is more like Tallow-
wood. It is very hard when dry.

Yellow Gum as posts has lasted over thirty years. Mr. Crawford has
re-used some which have been in the ground for this long period. It dries
rather hard, and nails do not readily drive in it; hence it is not so well
liked for building as the local White Mahogany {E. M^ieUenana) and
White Stringy bark {E. eugenioides).

WEST.

Head of Valley of Waters, Wentworth Falls (W. Forsyth) : Mount
Victoria, also Kanimbla Valley, Lowther, and Hassan's Walls (J.
H. Maiden); Mount Wilson (Jesse Gregson). The fruits smaller
than nsual, with almost spreading orifice; the valves well exserted;
long footstalk. Jenolan Caves (J. H. Maiden and W. F. Blakely).

A common tree in many of the valleys of the Blue Mountains, at least from
I.awson to Bowenfels; but never continues right up on to the tableland
l)roper. Besides the valleys, it is often found on the taluses of the hills.
,<R. H. Cambage and J.H.M.).

EXPLAN'ATION OF PLATE 19.

A. .Juvenile leaves.

B. Flowering twig.

c. Fruits, showing angularity (from Blue Mountains).

Eucalyptus Sieberiana, E.v.M.

YovvuT OR Mountain- Ash.

Botanical Name. — Sieheriana, in honor of Franz Wilhelm Sieber, of
Prague, Bohemia, a botanical collector, who spent seven months in New
South Wales in 1823, making collections, which were sold in numbered sets^

Vernacular Names. — " Mountain Ash " is its usual name. It attains its

F. Fl., pi. 19.

EUCALYPTUS GONIOCALYX, F.v.M. (Mountain Gum.)

67

greatest luxuriance in mountain districts, and its timber is thought to
resemble ash. Sometimes called " Black Ash," but this name should be
reserved for E. stellulata. It is^ sometimes called " White-topped Ironbark"'
in Tasmania, where there are no true Ironbarks. It has been also called
"■ Blackbxitt," but tliat name should be reserved for E. pilularis. It has
been called " Messmate " or " Stringybark " at the Dromedary, N.S.W., but
the use of such names for this species is to be deprecated. Dr. A. W.
llowitt said it was also known in South-eastern J^ew South Wales as
" Silver-top " and " Bastard Ironbark."

Bark. — In young trees the bai-k often somewhat resembles " Stringybark "
when viewed from a little distance. Hence the tree has been sometimes
called Stringybai'k, -with a qualifying adjective. In older trees the bark
becomes denser, darker coloured, more furrowed and rugged in character.
The casual observer might be excused if he took the tree for an " Ironbark,"
but a closer examination would show the bark to be neither dense nor tough
enough. The small branches are smooth.

The smooth bark of saplings appears always to be glaucous.
Mr. AV. Baeucrlen, many years ago, sent me the following note from
Braidwood in regard to this tree, referred to by him as '* White Ironbark " : — •

Sawyers here tell me that, after gently burning this bark, they use the black
reuiainiler as an ink or marking to strike their lines in squaring timber. For
this pur])ose they simply mix the black substance, left after charring, with a
small quantity of water, so as to obtain a thick syrupy substance, through
which they draw their marking line; when striking the line, this substance
gives a clean, well-defined line without burr or wiugs ; in striking, the sub-
stance does not "' fly " oft' the line, as they say is the case when they use the
bark of the Ited Ironbark. or any of the other Gums.

The bark of the Red Ironbark (xidcroxylon), they say, leaves a more gritty
or harsh substance after, charring, which does not answer their purpose.

Timher. — Pale-coloured and fissile; very suitable for inside work, but not
durable when not protected from the weather. It seems to be a favourite
food of white ants. It is also often pipy, and for these two reasons it is
disliked by timber-getters.

Following are the earliest notes I can get of this timber: —

''Mountain Ash" (Illawarra). "Willow or White Top"' (Berrim.i).
Height, 50-120 feet. Diameter, 24-48 inches. Much valued for rough jHu-pose-^
in districts where the better sorts of timber are not pi'oduced. This spe-ies
usually occupies rough, rocky sites, and seems to form a link between the
division of Ironbarks and that of the Gums.

With very dark-ct)loured, rugged outer bark on the trunk, and smooth white
hark on the branches. Timber very hard, tough, and durable, much prized for
poles and shafts of drays. (Macarthur. Loudon Exhibition, 18<)2.)

I'sed for waggon-rails, shafts, poles, and other work connected w^th carriage-
building. (F. K. Marriott, Mudgee.)

T'setl by wheelwrights for spokes and naves of wheels. (Ocncrtl Rcimrt^
Sydney Exh., 1879. )

^Ir. Allen Ransome tested samples of this timber sent from New South
Wales to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. From the specimen sub-
mitted spokes were turned, casks made, and boards planed. " In all
cases it proved an easy wood to work."

The following is evidence as to the durability underground of this timber.

The timber used in the Long Tunnel Mine (a damp mine), Walhalla. Gipps-
land, consists chiefly of E. Sichcrixina. E. vaintcllata. K. ohliqinK E. amygda-
limi, and E. viminaHs. The first of these, E. Hicberiana, is by far the best; It
lasts many years, (Tisdall,.i»roc. R.8. Victoria, IS^l, p. 43.)

Ironbark (Tasmania). This timber grows principally on the north-east
coast of Tasmania, and is equal in quality to the Ironbark* found on the
Australian continent, and does not grow so tall or so largo as the Gum, but
has a small heart, and is very durable in or out of the ground. It makes
splendid piles or medium-sized timber. The principal place for shipment
would be from George's Bay, this being the most central place for it. (John
Bradley.)

It is used in Tasmania for sleepers, amongst other uses.

Mr. E. A. Crawford. Moona Plains, Walcha, N.S.W., wrote to me in
1896 :—

The best all-round timber in this district ; of course it varies according to
locality. I have seen the timber on the ranges on the west side of the creek
last more than twice the time of timber from the other, same species and
split the same season. I know an old building roofed with shingles of this
wood, still in use; it was built early in the fifties. It is, of course, getting
leaky, but at 35 years old or more the roof was quite sound; the slabs might
yet go into a new building; rafters also sound. The fence of a paddock
erected about 1855 or '56 being badly damaged by fire last winter was taken
down, and most of the rails were again used with fresh posts. This and
capitellata both very lasting woods ; best we have for posts except corym'bosa.

Habitat. — Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. In New South
Wales chiefly in the coastal districts and coast ranges, at least as far north
as the eastern slopes of New England.

The species loves high, rocky, stony mountain ranges on poor barren
ground, and never takes to grassy localities.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 128.

A. Juvenile leaves.

B. Flowering twig,
c. Flower buds.

D. Back and front views of anthers.

E. Fruits.

jEucalyptus ohliqua, L'Herit.

The Broad-leaved Messmatk.

This is the first species of Eucalyptus known to science, it having been
originally collected by David Nelson, assistant botanist on Cook's Third
Voyage, 1776-9, and described by LTIeritier in 1788. At the time of its
collection, and for long afterwards, Tasmania was looked upon as part of
Australia; moreover, like other early species, it was badly described, and
the specimens themselves were imperfect, and not easily accessible. The
result was that it was not recognised, until the sixties, that E. ohliqua is
the common Tasmanian Stringybark.

Botanical Name. — Obliqua, Latin (oblique). It is a coarse-foliaged tree,
by which characteristic alone it can usually be distinguished from those
si>ecies with which it is usually associated, or with which it is likely to be
confused. Its strikingly oblique, unsymmetrical leaves have, no doubt, given
origin to its name. Obliquity is a character of nearly all Eucalyptus leaves,
but in the species under consideration, and in E. capitellata, it is particularly
observable.

*ThM is undoubtedly exaggeratod.

F. Fl., pi. 128.

EUCALYPTUS SIEBERIANA, Fw.M. (Mountain Ash.

C9

Vernacular Names. — It is usually known as " Stringybark " in Tasmania
«nil South Australia, and to a less extent in Victoria; in the last State,
however, it is usually known as " Messmate," because it is associated or
mess-mates with other Stringybarks and fibrous-barked Eucalypts. The
same name is in use in Southern New South Wales, as, for instance, at
Sugarloaf Mountain, Braidwood, and at Tantawanglo Mountain, near Cath-
cart. Apparently this is the most widely-used name for it in New South
Wales, and the term " Stringybark " does not seem to be usually applied to
it in this State. It has been sold in recent years as Tasmanian Oak.

Because it is usually rough-barked to the ends of the branches, it some-
times goes by the name of " Woolly-topped Messmate " in the Braidwood
■district (Monga, &c.). Other names are "Bastard Stringybark," "Woolly
Butt," or "Woolly Bark," and Wliite Stringybark," all in use in New
England, New South Wales.

Bark. — Rough-barked to the ends of the branches; the bark of the trunk
and branches is decidedly fibrous, but the fibres are not so clean and tena-
■cious as those of the true Stringybarks, and the bark is not so suitable for
roofing.

Timber. — That from New South Wales localities is a rather inferior,
coarse, open-grained, porous wood, liable to shrink and warp. It is not
esteemed for public works in New South Wales. Its open nature may be,
at least in part, a consequence of rapid growth, for which, according to
several authorities, E. obliqua has the reputation.

It has been used in the Braidwood and Cooma districts for many years
for building purposes. In Victoria and Tasmania it is largely used, and a
recent official publication of the latter State says : " It is our most valuable
wood." In considering the value of this observation, it should, of course,
\ie borne in mind that neither of these States possess a series of excellent
timbers such as New South Wales can boast of. At the same time it is
quite possible that Tasmanian and Victorian grown timbers of this species
are superior to that grown in New South Wales. Howitt, a leading
Victorian authority, groups it as a " second-class timber," adding that —

Although a fairly durable and useful timber, it has generally the fault of
being more or less full of gum-veins, and is thus unsuitable for many purposes.

Another authority says :

Although of an inferior class, it is used for a great variety of buiding pur-
poses, notwithstanding some liability to warp or twist. . . Supplies a good
<leal of second-class sawn timber in the market. (Mueller, in Cat. TecJi. Mas.,
Melbourne. )

As this work seeks to impartially report on the qualities of the products
of the various species, in whatever State they are produced, some lengthy
statements in regard to Tasmanian-grown timber are given at this place.

Following is a report by Mr. Allan Ransome, of London, on a Tasmanian
sample (see Kew Btdletin, May, 1889) : —

A very strong, tough wood, with a straight grain, in appearance somewhat
resembling American Ash. From its great strength and toughness it is well
adapted for carriage, cart, and waggiHi building, wheel-work, and agricultural
machinery, as w'ell as for the framing of railway carriages and trucks. It is
also a valuable wood for the stronger description of building r-onstructions, and
would make excellent railway sleepers. From the peculiar strength of the
fibre of the grain, it will not maintain a good surface, as, even when per-
fectly dry, the grain rises, so as to render it impossible to polish it successfully^

70

An ofiicial report says:

Striiigybark can be obtained in patches all over Tasmania, but is most
abundant in the south; like the Blue Gum (E. globulua) it can be got of any
reasonable length or size. It is of quicker growth than the gum, and is of a
lighter and milder nati:re generally. The timber is much used in Tasmania
and in the adjacent colonies for house-building, &c. To ensure durability, the
wood requires fair seasoning. The different varieties are : — (ium-top Stringy-
bark, Brown and White Stringybark (the brown being the older growth).
The White Stringybark makes good pallugs and shingles.

Another official report says:

E Ileal!/ i}t 11 n ohJiQiici' (Stringybark) is our most valuable wood. It differs
from and is better than the Stringybark of Australia. The timber is light-
coloured, and varies considerably from a brown wood, resembling oak, to a
much lighter-coloured wood, resembling ash ; and because of the great variet.y
of its uses and its abundance. Is more valuable, economically, than Blue Gum,
The bark might be made a source of income, as it is suitable for the manu-
facture of paper.

The timber, as I have already hinted, appears to be more valued in
Tasmania than on the mainland; the utilisation of its bark as a paper-
making material is not likely to have any commercial importance, what-
ever future may lie before the timber in this direction.

The following account of E. ohliqua timber is taken froin Mr. A. O.
Green's pamphlet on " Tasmanian Timbers" (1902). It and the Blue Gum
(E. globulus) are the two most valuable timbers of Tasmania, hence the
comparison by Mr. Green and by the author already quoted: —

Stringybark trees are very much more widely distributed through the island
than the Blue Gum (E. (/lohnliis), growing over large tracts of poor, hilly
coimtry. They attain to an inunense size — up to 300* feet in height, and
from 2 to 10 feet in diameter. The wood is, on the whole, of a lighter colour
than Blue Gum, and varies from a pale straw to a reddish-brown. In appear-
ance Brown Stringybark is somewhat like oak, and it would be a ditficult
matter for most ])eople to distinguish a picture-frame made of Stringybark
from one made of oak. The timber varies considerably, according to the
situation and soil in which the tree grows. In appearance it is freer than
Blue Gum, but lacks the purplish tint, and is more sub.lect to gum-veins. It is
the most general timber for all sorts of constructive work in Tasmania. It
makes excellent piles, especially for fresh water, but is not considered quite so
good as Blue Gum for salt water, being more subject to the attacks of the
teredo. It is also used for shipbuilding, the construction of wharfs and bridges,
and for railway sleepers, for the dado, flooring, and fitting of houses, and for
furniture; it is also an excellent wheelwrights' wood. Wlien polished it very
much resembles oak, but has a more sparkling grain ; it has a very pretty
effect when used for a ballroom floor, or for wainscotting.

Besides being sawn for almost every purpose, Stringybark is split into fence-
rails, palings, and shingles. It is certain that if tliis wocxl and the Blue Gum.
j)roperly prepared, were exported to London, a ready sale would be found for
it, for the construction of carts and vans. It would very well take the place
of Englisli oak and ash used for this purpose, which are every year becoming
scarcer. In an International Exhibition a Striugjbark sleeper was shown, by
the Tasmauian Government, that had been twenty-tive years under traffic.
Tlie usual life of this timber, in bridges, is fi"om twenty to twenty-five years;
sleepers average about fourteen years ; and none of the Government railway
buildings, some of which were built twenty-seven years ago, chiefly of this
timber, have yet been renewed.

Size. — It attains the dignity of a large tree. So far as I know, it attains
its greatest development in Tasmania. In the first part of the letters of
Quaker JVIissionary Backhouse there are some measurements of large

* This may be so, but I like particulars of all trees v^ hcse measurements are reported to approach 300 feet

71

stringybark trees {Eucalyptus ohliqua) on the Emu River. I content myself
with quoting three. The first was 45 feet in eii'cumference, and the sup-
posed height 180 feet; the top broken. The second was 55 feet in circum-
ference; supposed to be upwards of 200 feet high. He measured, near
Hampshire Hills, two trees that had been felled for splitting into rails, each
180 feet long.

Habiiat. — It is found in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and New
South .Wales.

Nkw South Wales.

It extends from south to north of the State. Its northernmost limit is a
matter for further investigation, but it extends nearly to the Queensland
border. It is found growing > in company with E. gonicahjx and other
species on the Irish Comer Mountain, Reidsdale, Sugarloaf Mountain, and
iiround Monga, both on the eastern and western fall of those mountains.
The trees are fairly abundant, and are to be found growing to a height of
from 100 to 150 feet, with a girth of from 6 to 10 feet. In New England
(Yarrowitch) it is associated with E. viminalis.

Howitt makes the statement, as regards Gippsland, that " it appears to
be essentially a littoral form, but ascends the mountains, &c." The first
])art of this statement does not appear to hold true in New South Wales.
The tree grows right on the top of the ranges with us, and never in the
littoral lands, as far as observed. It frequents situations where it can be
reached and enveloped in the sea-fogs ; in this remote sense alone can the
word '' littoral '' be applied to trees with us. On the Tantawanglo Mountain
it grows abundantly, in company with " Cut-tail " and other Eucalypts, at
n height of about 3,000 feet above the sea. At Reidsdale it occurs at an
I'levation of from 2,000 to 2,5(X) feet, and in New England nearly 4,000 feet.

Southern. — Tantawanglo Mountain (II. Deane and J.H.M.) ; "Messmate."
Candelo (A. Rudder) ; " Tororago *' ( ? Tarago), Twofold Bay, S.E. Australia,
No. 266, S. Mossman. In Herb. Cant, ex herb. Lemann. Doubtless Tarago,
via Braidwood, on an old route to Twofold Bay.

" Woolly-topped Messmate," Irish Corner Mountain, Reidsdale, Sugarloaf
Mountain, and around Monga (Forester J. S. Allan).

•'*' Broad-loaf Messmate," Wingello (J.H.M. and J. L. Boorman). Mr.
Boorman's note on another occasion is : — " Large trees, wood of a yellowish
colour. Fibrous bark to tips of branches. Inner bark pale yellow, leaves
large."

"White Mahogany," Wingello (A. Mxirphy), but not to be confused with
either E. Muelleriana or E. acmenioides.

Northern. — Three miles past Myrtle Scrub (near Yarrowitch, Hastings
River to Walcha), one comes across a handsome forest, in basalt countr:^',
consisting mainly of a smooth-barked Eucalypt (viminalis) , and a rough-
barked one (ohliqiM). The discovery of the latter species in this part of
the State was quite imexpectetl, and extends its northern range very con-
siderably. The trees were over 100 feet high, and their trunks 3 feet and
more in diameter, so that the tres are fine specimens, and not the depauperate
forms of mere outliers or pickets. One of my travelling companions (Mr.
J. F. Campbell, L.S., of Walcha) stated that this belt of country extended for
J50 miles in a general direction of north and soiith, roughly following the
county boundary, and he believed that this species occurred over the greater
portion of that county. Mr. Nivison, of Yarrowitch, states it occurs at

72

least as far north as the Clarence River, and also in Callaghan's Swamp. It
"Would be interesting now to collect the species at points intermediate
between Braidwood and New England. In the latter district it is sometimes
known as " Messmate " and " Bastard Stringybark." At Yarrowitch it is
known as " White Stringybark," and has been used for building purposes
€,g., verandah floors; but it lacks durability in the ground. The sucker-
foliage is very coarse. I have leaves 6x5 inches. (Maiden, 1898.) Upper
Williams River (A. Rudder).

Woolooma Mountain, parish of Chalmers, county of Durham, land district
of Scone.— (H. L. White.)

The following letter to me is interesting, not only because it brings the-
recorded localities of the species some miles to the west, but because it
embodies other experiences of a well-known observer : —

The Eucalypt mentioned by you (E. oUigua) is abundant liere. In thi»
country it is found on poor stony ranges chiefly. It attains a great size, up to-
8 or 9' feet or even more in diameter ; sucli trees are usually short-stemmed.
It is said it will not last as posts, but I have never been given satisfactory proof
as to its unfitness. A mile or two of fence is erected ; the posts are mixed,
probably split from three or four different kinds of stringybark. Then twelve
or fifteen years later, who can say which is the best? Certainly not the
average bushman. It is often, I know, too short to run into rails. I have seen
trees that you could not run into 7-foot i)osts even if struck G inches thick. I
split a tree of this species 85 feet in length of barrel by 2 feet in diampter ; it
flowered here last season in January, the trees being great masses of bloom,.
rery noticeable, although distant on the ranges from 1 to 2 miles. It is known
here as Woolly-butt. Woolly-bark, or White Stringybark. — (A. R. Crawford^
Moona Plains, Walcha.)

I have a specimien collected by Ivcichhardt, in 1843, at the head of the
Gwydir. It is in leaf only, but there is no doubt as to its identity.

Mr. W. Baeuerlen has collected it at Mount Mackenzie, near Tenterfield.
This is near the Queensland border, and it may be expected to be found about
Stanthorpe, in the latter State.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 83.

A. Leaf in the intermediate stage, i.e.. not the youngest form, but

yet not fully mature. Note its great width, and its obliquity.

B. Twig showing buds and flowers.
c. Fruits.

[All drawn from New South Wales si)ecimeus, — near Yarrowitch, Ne\r
England.]

F. Fl., pi. 83.

EUCALYPTUS OBLIOUA. L'Herit. (The Broad-leaved Messmate.)

73

Pale Boxes.

1. Eucalyptus hemiphloia (White or Grey Box).

2. Eucalyptus Bosistoana (South Coast Box).

3. Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box),

4. Eucalyptus populifolia (Bimble Box).

Eucalyptus hemiphloia, F.v.M.

The White or Grey Box.

Botanical Name. — Hemiphloia, from two Greek words — hemi, half, and
phloia, bark — half -barked.

Vernacular Names. — It is called Grey Box because of its tough, inlocked
character, which reminded the early settlers of Turkey Box. Here, however,
the resemblance ceases, as our Box is a coarser-gf ained, dnller-looking timber,
while in Australia it often goes by the name of '' Box," the adjectives

■" Grey " or " White "' being used to distinguish it from; Red Box, Brush
Box, &c.

Synonym. — Some of the synonyms of this species are referred to below.
I recognise two varieties, viz. :—

1. var. alhens, F.v.M. The large-fruited glaucous (whitish) form. E.
■alhens, Miq. The name of E. alhens arose only from a misprint of E.
pollens, and was first promulgated without any diagnosis (Eucalyptographia
under E. hemiphloia). E. pallens, F.v.M., non DC, is a synonym.

2. var. microcarpa, Maiden. The small-fruited form common in the drier
parts of the State.

Flowers. — This species is one of the most profuse flowerers of the
Eucalypts. The Agricjiliural Gazette for February, 1893, contains a useful
paper on " Plants Visited by Bees." It is very condensed, and the native
plants are not separated) from the introduced ones. Botanical names are
not given, and it would be desirable to compile a list of our native plants
stated by responsible bee-keepers to be useful bee-plants. The above-
quoted paper says : — " It is worthy of remark that the flora of Australia
possesses honey-producing trees, shrubs, and plants of a high standard of
excellence, the honey produced by bees in the near neighbourhood of the
forest being of the finest quality, and having few (if any) faults." The
value of the Box-tree (Eucalyptus hemiphloia) for honey has passed into
a proverb. See E. melliodora.

Fruit. — ^In Eucalyptus the fruit is of considerable importance for pur-
poses of diagnosis. In E. hemiphloia the fruit varies considerably in size;
but it is always subcylindrical, smooth, and never has the valves exserted.

Bark. — This species obtains its name from its bark, although this is a
character that can only be employed with caution. This trunk is more or
less covered with a matted, sub-fibrous bark that is generally known as
''box" bark. The branches are smooth, with a little ribbony bark at the
junction of the fibrous and smooth portion.

u

Timber. — Its characteristics are its toughness, hardness, cross-grained,
non-fissile character, and its great strength. It is a pale hardwood, of a
very pale brown. It is used for the naves of wheels and heavy framing,
and for the cogs of wheels, large screws, mauls, handles, shafts, poles of
drays, &c., which require a tough wood for their manufacture. In Victoria
it is in high repute for railway sleepers, and in that State and our own
for piles, girders, &c. It can be recommended with confidence to railway-
carriage builders and others who require a strong durable timber for
framing, &e. While usually sound in the coast districts, in the interior a
great drawback to this tree is its tendency to become hollow at a com-
paratively early age. It is certainly a valuable timber, one of the best of
our hardwoods. It forms an excellent fuel.

Size. — It varies a good deal in size. I have seen it 60 to 80 feet in height,
and even higher, with a stem-diameter of 3 or 4 feet, but it is not one of
our largest Eucalypts.

Habitat. — In one form or another it is found over a large area of this
State, from the coast-line away into the dry west. It also occurs in.
Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia. In the two last States the
predominating form is variety albens. The variety albens, the White Box
par excellence, is in iSTew South Whales mainly developed in a longitudinal
strip of country on the western slope of the Dividing Range. Roughly,
the western boundary would run through Corowa, W^agga Wagga, Temtora,
Parkes, Dubbo, and thence northerly to the Queensland border. Its eastern
boundary would run through, say, Tumut, Burrowa, Cowra, Orange; then
easterly to Rylstone, Singleton, Muswellbrook, and then northerly. The
typical form is found east of this.

Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range (W. Dunn) is an additional northern
locality,

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 22.

Flowering twig of the typical form.
Fruits.

JEucali/: tiis Bosistoana, P.v.M.

BosisTo's Box.

Botanical Name. — Bosistoana. in honor of the late Joseph Bosisto, 3kI,.L.A.,
of Richmond, Melbourne, a pioneer of the Eucalyptus oil iudustiy.

Vernacular Names. — " Red Box." It goes most commonly under this
name in the South Coast and Monaro, in reference to its pinkish colour
when fresh.

" Of late it has received the local name of ' Grey Box ' from the splitters
.ind snvv-millers." (A. W, Howitt, speaking of Gippsland.) ."Yellow
Box" of the County of Cumberland, N.S.W. (see this page and also p. 76).
" Bastard Box " of the County of Cumberland, N.S.W. It is called " Bas-
tard Box " from a belief amongst some timber men that it is a tree o£
Avhich the true Yellow Box {melliodora) is one of the parents.

Timber. — ,

E. Bosistoana. — This tree has iu many respects a superficial resemblance ta
E. mciliodora, with which it was for a long time locally eoufouuded iu Gipps-
land

F. Fl., pi. 22.

EUCALYPTUS HEMIPHLOIA, F.v.M. (The White op Grey Box.)

75

The difforeiico betwopii E. Bofiistoann mikI E. mvUindnia was lonp apparont
to me, from a careful oomi)arisoii of the trees irrowins iu the Mitchell River
district, and especially from distim-tious winch have been a])parent to the
timber men tliere. Tlie wood of tliis Eucal.vj)t is mudi browner in colour than
that of E. mrlliodora. and while the timber of the latter can very rarely be
.split into posts or rails, that of the former, although it is diflicult to split "on
the quarter," is, when once the log is oix'ned, •' backed off "' with great ease.
The j)rincipal differences ui)on which a rapid diagnosis may be made lie in the
greatly sui)erior height of E. Bofti.stoaiiii, in its freer growth, the rhytiphloious
(hbrous) bark, the .smooth ui)iM>r portion of the stem and limbs, and the some-
what larger fruit, with a narrow, compressed rim. and more deepl.v sunk oritio-e.
Finally the outer stamens are all provided with fertile anthers, while those
of E. mcUiodoni are anantherous.

The timber of this tree is most durable, and is one of the most serviceable
of the Eucalypts of Victoria, especially for work which is exposed to damp. —
(A. W. llowitt.)

Tn the above passage,- where E. Bosistoana occurs, there is E. odorata in
tlie original, as Mueller made that species very comprehensive, and after-
wards carved E. Bosistoana out of it.

Mr. llowitt subsecpicntly wrote to me : " The greatest care should be taken
to preserve this timber, for the reason that Avhere works of construction
require great durability and stren,?th combined with length of material,
there is no Victorian Eucalypt to compare wi,th this."

" Red Box abounds in this district, and I am assured by persons who are
<'ompetent to judge, equal, if not superior, to Ironbark for strength and
durability. Recommended to be tested for sleepers and bridge-building."
(The late Forest Ranger Benson, Wagonga, N.S.W., writing in 1893.)

I have a specimen of the same timber, called " Grey Box," from the
Muckindary Bridge, Bombala, IST.S.W., part of a pile nineteen years in the
ground. It is quitt^ sound, but has split badly.

The following notes concerning the same timber I obtained verbally from
^Ir. A. R. Crawford, of Wingello, N.S.W. :—

" A splendid timber, no faults of any kind. Good for wheelwrighting,
shafts, and all frame work."

Mr. Crawford further says that it is the best Box he has ever worked, and
ho has worked that of Hill Top, Orange, &c.

It will be observed that all these witnesses uniformly speak most highly
of this timber.

It is a brown timber, drying paler. It is hard, and without gum veins.
The tree has good cl<?an stems and smooth branches.

Size. — TTiis tree grows to 200 feet, or in exceptional cases to perhaps 250
feet in height. (A. W. Howitt, loc. cit.)

Habitat. — So far as we know at present, it is confined to eastern New
South Wales, from the Parramatta district, and the Illawarra and the
southern tableland, in the north as far as North Gippsland (Bairnsdale dis-
trict), Victoria, in the south.

New South Wales.

" Stony Ranges, called Mountain Hut Range, near Eden. Twofold Bay "
(Oldfield.)

Bega district; also "Red, Grey, White Box," Cobargo (J. S. Allan); Mt.
Dromedary (Miss Bate) ; " Grey Box," Noorooma (A. Langley) ; abounds in
Wagonga district (F. R. Benson) ; " Grey Box " ( J. V. de Coque") ; and

It

"Red Box" (J. S. Allen), both in the Moruya district; Lower Araluen
(J.H.M.); Milton; also "Yellow Box," West Dapto (R. H. Cambage) ;
" Box " or " White Box " of Razorback, 4 miles from Wingello ( J.H.M. and
J. L. Boorman) ; Marulan (A. Murphy) ; Bullio to Wombeyan (R, H. Cam-
bage and J.H.M.) .

Cabramatta district, county of Cumberland, occurring between Banks-
town and the Cabramatta Railway Station, and also thence to Bringelly
and Cabramatta (now Rossmore).

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 160.

A. Juvenile leaf.

B. Twig, in bud, Bankstown and Cabramatta, a few miles south

of Sydney.
c. Buds, from Cabramatta.

D. Anther, from Cabramatta.

E. Fruit, from Cabramatta.

r. Unripe fruit, showing rim, from Wingello.

G. Fruit with exserted valves, from Bega, N.S.W.

Eucalyptus melliodora^ A. Cunn.

The Yellow Box.

Botanical Name. — Melliodora — mel, mellis, honey, odora, of a sweet or
pleasant smell.

Vernacular Names. — The commonest " Yellow Box " of New South Wales
and Victoria. "Yellow Jacket" of the interior, the inner bark being of a
yellowish colour. In the Merriwa and Cassilis district it is as often called
Yellow Gum as Yellow Jacket (see "Bark"). It is sometimes called
*' Honey-scented Gum," owing to the perfume of its flowers.

Flowers. — This tree, like all of the Boxes, is an esteemed honey-yielder.

I send, by post, a sample of the great honey-producer, locally known as
Yellow Box, and consisting of flowering blossoms and seeds, and wish to have
same identified with a view to having this timber preserved on Forest Reserve
No. 27,767 of 2,500 acres, as well as on new goldfield reserve of about o.OOO
acres, as I am aware that this species of tree will produce more value in honey
than the grass under them in wool. In fact, there are about 70 acres of this
timber on my land, and some seasons I get more value in honey than if I had
It cropped with good wheat at a fair price. — (James Brogan, of Attunga.)

Fruit. — The fruits are small and nearly hemispherical, and have a charac-
teristic narrow band or rim, which usually encircles the slightly constricted
orifice, and which is well seen on a side view of the fruit. The rim is
similar in appearance to that observed in E. sideroxylon under similar
circumstances. The fruit of the former species is, of course, much smaller.

Baric. — This tree has a characteristic inner bark, which is often as yellow
as the proverbial guinea.

It is sometimes the case that it is difficult to discriminate this species
from E. Bosistoana, another " Yellow Box," but a knife or axe will settle
the question at once, the inner bark of E. Bosistoana being white.

In most parts of the country it has a sub-fibrous or " l»ox " hark on the
tmnk or for a considerable distance up the butt, and smooth and even
ribbony above it. Following are some notes made on the spot : — ^Bark flaky.

F. Fl.. pi. 160.

EUCALYPTUS BOSISTOANA, F.v.M. (Bosisto's Box.)

n

ribbony, more like a cross between E. tereticornis and a Box tban a true
Box (Merriwa Creek). 3fany trees in the Merriwa and Cassilis districts
have, more than is usual, the appearance of a Gum than a Box.

In the Gulgong district, often with a considerable amount of clean stem.
Timber. — This is sometimes a remarkably gnarled, twisted tree.

The timber is pale-coloured, not white, but pale yellow, seasoning to a
pale brown. It is remarkably interlocked, tough, hard, heavy, and durable.
In the south I have rarely heard the timber spoken of other than in terms
of unqualified praise. In the north I have heard a few disparaging re-
marks, and two well-known experts say: —

Not liked as posts in Liverpool Plains and Mudgee district. People will not
accept it for posts for wire fences or for any other purposes if they can help
it. — (Jesse Gregson and J. D. Cox.)

Another northern opinion says : —

As a useful timber it nearly lasts in the ground twice as loug as Box, and
should be very valuable for mining purposes, as nearly every tree about would
make lengths that would be long enough for this purpose. I wish to have it
saved from the ring-barker. — (James Brogan, Attunga.)

Following are some additional northern opinions, or, rather, opinions on
the timber as it is found in the north.

Wood is very good for fencing material, but for saw-milling and building
purposes it is, in my opinion, inferior to E. hemiphloia, Grey Box. — (W. Dunn,
Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range.)

Yellow Box, E. melliodora, a very hard and durable timber, but has not been
used on account, no doubt, of the difficulty of working it. — (Henry Deane,
speaking of Glen Innes to Tenterfield trees.)

It is said to be durable both in water and under the ground. The opinion
of some Candelo (South Coast) people differs, however, on this point. A
correspondent says : — " It is here considered the best timber all round, but
does not, as far as I can learn, last long in the ground." There are many
instances of such contradictory statements in regard to our native timbers,
showing how much room there is for independent inquiry.

In many parts of the country it is much esteemed for posts, being looked
upon as almost imperishable in the ground. It is excellent for culverts. It
is often pipy, particular in the dry west, but it is without doubt one of the
most valuable trees the State produces.

It is often found with White or Grey Box (Jiemiphloia) , in which, case it
is preferred to the latter, which is so hard and so difficult to split or square.
This is the practical objection workmen have to it.

Mr. Deane says that much of this timber was used for posts and rails
near Cudal on the Forbes line.

Size. — It is commonly 60 to 80 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1 to 2
feet, but is not one of our largest trees.

Habitat. — The Yellow Box occurs in Victoria, New South Wales, and
Queensland. As regards Victoria, Howitt says that it grows in a scattered
manner over almost the whole of the State, lowlands and highlands alike,
but nowhere exclusively as a forest.

The same observation can be made as regards Xew South Wales. It is
foimd from south to north, in the mountainous country and tablelands, far
*way into the Riverina, and into country very dry, though not the driest,.

pjid away north-east and north to New England, even to Tenterfield. While
I have not collected it in Queensland, I should be surprised if it does not
grow in the country arouhd Stanthorpe and the drier country to the west.
li" our country friends desire to assist scientific investigations, I would
point out to them that of the vast majority of our j)lants we do not know
the range, so that if they Avere to send twigs (or in the case of small plants,
whole plants) our knowledge would rapidly increase.

The Yellow Box likes good soil.

lu the Kaninibla Valley; also in a paddock on Jack White's Creek, half a
mile from Hassan's Walls. It is, of course, common ,ou granite country, and
in the localities cited it is either on granite or where the detritus from the
.sandstone ridges is not thick.— (R. H. Cambage and J.H.M., speaking of the
Blue Mountain trees.)

The quantity is very limited, in this district, its habitat is on low lands
with light sandy subsoil and about stockyards. — (W. Dunn, Acacia Creek, Mac-
jiherson Range.)

Propagation. — From seed, which is readily procurable.

A few trees that I planted during the winter of 1895 are now (1902) begin-
11 lug to bloom. Wlien planted they were mere twigs, and were removed into
. the holes iu a spadeful of soil taken with them. — (J. Brogan.)

i' This is a highly ornamental and shade tree, usually of a drooping habit.
It stands a fair amount of cold, Avhile it is very drought-resistant. It will
indeed flourish over large areas of country in this State, and those who
desire to cultivate Eucalypts should remember that this is one of the most
desirable species.

Ii:XPLANATION OF PLATE 35.

A. Young or sucker leaves.

B. Twig, with buds and flowers.
c. Fruits.

(All the above from a specimen from Rocky Hall, Eden to
Bombala.— J.H.M.)
D. Fruits (from Wagga Wagga.— J.H.M. ).

Eucalyptus populifolia. Hook.

The Bimble Box.

Botanical Name. — Populifolia, from two Latin words — populus (poplar),
«nd folia (leaves).

Yernandar Name. — It is commonly known as Bimbil (derived from the
aboriginal name); the spelling used to be Bembil; Bibble is a corruption
of it.

Sometimes the names " Poplar-leaved Box," " Glossy or Shiny-leaved
Box " are used. It is also called " Eound-leaved Box " and '' White Box,"
and Mr. E. H. Cambage quotes the iiame " Minty Box" as having been
given to him west of Wyalong, but he did not see the trees. Perhaps some
of my readers might say if they have ever heard of the name as applied to
this tree.

'Ahoriginul Names. — "Bembil" is an aboriginal name, from which the
common vernacular name has sprung. j.

F. Fl., pi. 36,

EUCALYPTUS MELLIODORA, A. Cunn. (The Yellow Box.)

F. Fl.,pl. 176.

EUCALYPTUS POPULIFOLIA, Hook. F (The Bimble Box.)

70

Leaves. — In its typical form the leaf is very readily recognised, since it
is shiny, and in shape like that of the common Poplar. But there are many^
gradations in length and width of leaf — indeed it is sometimes quite narrow.

The leaves of this tree are sometimes reported as edible by stock, and
sometinios not, and at the present time we cannot reconcile tlie two state-
ments. All that we can certaiiUy say is that the leaves are not edible as a
rule. See page 27.

Timher. — The appearance of the timber has already been described, and
it is one of the least valuable of those of the Eucalypts.

In the Bogan district it is reputed as the very best fencing timber
(Eucalyptus) in the district, but useful for nothing else, as it is always
hollow,

A white timber, anil a useless, dwarfish tree; not one tree in a hundred fit
for anything.

There is scarcely a Binibil box in my district that has not lieeu ringbarke<T.
Tlie timber is only used for rough fencing in the back country, where it is
impossible to get anything else. — (Forest-Ranger Taylor, Wagga Wagga.)

Mr. Taylor's specimens were collected at Vvarrii.

Speaking of the Lower Lachlan : "The timber is very hard and durable,
r.nd, like the gum, is difficult to split. Water is obtained from its roots.
Although not very plentiful, it is Avidely distributed." (K. H. Bennett
in litt.)

Tendency to Sucker. — Mr. R. /H. Cambage writes: "It usually produces
a large number of seedlings after the land has been ringbarked, and in this
respect is a considerable source of annoyance to the landowner."

Mr. O. J. McMaster, Chairman of the Western Land Board, says : " This
is a most difficult tree to get rid of. When ringbarked, seedlings grow so
thickly as to render the ground worthless for grazing purposes. It is con-
sidered one of the greatest pests in the west country."

Size. — It is not one of our largest trees, but trees 60-80 feet in height, witW
a diameter of 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet, are not rare.

Habitat. — It seems to be confined to New South Wales and Queensland.
It does not appear to have been recorded from South Australia, but in view,
of certain New South Wales localities which approach the South Australian
border, I should not be surprised to hear of its occurrence in the latter.
State.

It is a dry-country or interior species, occurring in great abundance m'
western New South Wales, western and northern Queensland, approaching
the Gulf of Carpentaria, but it has not been recorded from the Northern
Territory yet. ;i

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 17G.

A. Juvenile leaf from Bogan Gate, N.S.W.

B. Flowering twig from Mt. Roppy, N.S.W.

c. Narrow-leaved form from Coolabah, N.S.W.
D. Fruits from Coolabah, N.S.W.

80

Myrtles,

1. Angophora lanceolata (Smooth Barked Apple).

2. Tristania conferta (Brush Box).

3. Melaleuca leucadendron (Broad-leaved Tea-tree).

4. Syncarpia launfolia (Turpentine).

Angophora lanceolata, Cav.

» The Smooth-barked Apple.

Botanical Name. — It is from two Greek words signifying " vessel
bearing" in allusion to the fruits; but its meaning does not imply anything
particularly characteristic, as it would be equally appropriate if applied to
those of the Euealypts. The specific name lanceolata is in allusion to the
shape of the leaves, but these vary in width somewhat.

Vernacular Names. — Sydney workmen know it best by the name of Red
Gum ; but, as this name has been appropriated, over vast areas, by a different
tree (Eucalyptus rostrata), it may be well to leave the latter in undisputed
possession, reserving for A. lanceolata the appropriate designation of the
" Smooth-barked Apple-tree," the only objection to which is its length. The
smooth bark is not perfectly white in colour, but of a uniform yellowish-red
tint ; hence two of its names, " Orange Gum " and " Rusty Gum." Hardly
at any period of the year will you see one of these trees unstained with kino,
which frequently exudes in considerable quantity, and every bit shows up
on the pale-coloured, smooth bark. These stains being of an orange or
rusty colour, have intensified the appropriateness of the designations just
alluded to. Because it is common on the Blue Mountains, it sometimes
goes by the name of " Mountain Apple-tree," but as often as not it is simply
called " Apple."

Flowers. — Note the delicate petals in these flowers. The closely allied
Euealypts have no petals.

Mr. Cambage pointed out to me that there is indiarubber in Angophora
lanceolata leaves, which I confirmed. It is common enough in the closely-
related " Cormybosse " section of the genus Eucalyptus.

Timber. — As might have been expected with such a free yielder of kino^
the timber of this tree is liable to gum-veins; in fact, it is difficult to get a
piece of any size from them. Nevertheless it is a useful timber, strong and
heavy, and used for naves of wheels, flooring-boards, slabs, rough buildings,
and fuel.

The plant tissue of this tree possesses a wonderful power of accommo-
dating its shape, or rather the direction of its growth, to the rocky ground
on which it is usually found. Thus we find the base of the tree often flat-
tened out, and following the course of obstacles, reminding one of a gigantic
candle placed on a surface sufficiently warm to soften the wax or fat, which
then, by the weight of the candle, moulds itself into shapes determined by
the obstacles it encounters. The comparison is a homely one, and it is only
intended to refer to the plastic appearance, not, of course, the result of heat
in any way in the case of the tree.

>

\

F. Fl., pi. 43.

ANGOPHORA LANCEOLATA, Cav. (Smooth-barked Apple.)

81

The " plastic " appearance of the trunk has been referred to. I would also
like to draw attention to the fact that the branches of this tree display-
considerable tendency to fuse together when brought into contact (making
natural grafts, see " Forest Flora of New South Wales," Part LIV), some of
tho combinations taking on a looping or anastomosing character, sometimes
of a grotesque appearance. I am indebted for photographs exhibiting such
phenomena to Mr. J. B. Henson, engineer of the Newcastle Water Supply,
and the Hon. J. B. Nash, M.D., M.L.C., both of whom obtained their sub-
jects in the Newcastle district, and to Mr. Keith Harris, whose pictures
came from Hazelbrook, Blue Mountains.

Exudations. — This tree is a free yielder of kino. It dries readily on
exposure, so that the aperture is soon blocked up with the indurated sub-
stance. If this be picked off, the wound begins to flow afresh, and thus a
considerable quantity may be collected. This kino bears a strong resemblance
to that of a few gum-tree kinos. It is of a reddish-brown colour, and, when
quite dry is very friable, readily powdering between the fingers. It possesses
a sourish, unpleasant smell, not easily described, which is strongest when
the kino is quite new, and the proximity of an Apple-tree can thus be
frequently determined by the smell alone. For reasons which need not be
gone into now. Apple-tree kino does not precisely fill the requirements of
the British Pharmacopoeia as regards kino; nevertheless it is a valuable
astringent remedy, frequently available in the bush when more elegant
preparations are not obtainable.

Size. — Up to 50 or 60 feet, with a diameter of 2 or 3 feet. On the
Narrabri sand-hills its height is 40 to 50 feet, and diameter 1 to 2 feet. Mr.
Boorman and I measured,, on Milson Island, Hawkesbury River, a tree
13 feet 6 inches in circumference at 4 feet from the ground.

Habitat. — ^This tree is found in the coast districts and mountain ranges,
and extends a considerable distance into the interior. The most southerly
locality known to me is the ranges around Nerrigundah, near the Victorian
border (J. S. Allan), while it extends to the Rockhamipton district in
Queensland. I have collected it on sandy ridges near Narrabri, N.S.W, It
is very abundant in the coast districts and in the Blue Mountains, occurring
at least as far west as Mt. Tomah. The two Cunninghams found it north
of Bathurst, which would connect with the Narrabri locality. Mr. Forest
Guard W. Dunn records it from the highlands between Acacia Creek and
Wilson's Downfall.

This tree is usually considered a sign of poor soil, and it is marvellous
to observe how a giant tree often flourishes upon what appears to be almost
bare rock, and one wonders both how such a bulky plant can obtain nourish-
ment and how the roots can spread sufficiently to secure the necessary hold.
At the same time the tree does not object to improved surroundings, and
I have observejl it and Turpentine (Syncarpia laurifolia, usually a sign of
good soil) growing happily together to a fair size, and in some instances
the two growing as closely together as if they had sprung from the same
stock.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 43.

A. Flower looked at from above — (a) Stamens, (&) Petal, (c) Sepal,

(d) Stigma.

B. Flower looked at from below — (a) Calyx, (?>) Petal, (c) Stamens,
c. Vertical section through the flower — (a) Calyx, (&) Stamens,

(c) Stigma, (d) Ovary.

D. Cluster of fruits.

E. Vertical section through the fruit.

F. Transverse section through the fruit.

82

Tristania confer ta, R.Br.

The Brush Box. ]

Botanical Name.— Tristania, after M. Tristan, a Frpncli botanist. Don
(probably following Sir. J. E. Smith) has a fanciful derivation from the
Greek, treis, stao, signifying to stand in threes, in allusion to a supposed
disposition of the flowers and leaves. Conferta, from the Latin, denotinjj
" close together," the leaves being crowded together on the twigs.

Vernacular Names. — Usually known as " Box " of one sort or another—
"Brush Box," "Scrub Box," "White Box," "Bastard Box," "Brisbane
Box." It must not be confused with any of the species of Eucalyptus
known as " Box," owing to the timber being tough and inlocked ; " Brush,''
because it is essentially a brush (an Australian word for luxuriant vegeta-
tion— jungle in fact) timber. The name " Brush Box " distinguishes it
especially from "Forest" or "Grey" Box (Eucalyptus hemiphloia). The
name " Woollybutt " is in use in the Port Stephens district as well as on
the Manning. It must not be confused with the true "Woollybutt"
(Eucalyptus longifolia).

Synonym. — Lopliostemon arhorescens, Schott. Strange to say the name
Lophostemon (usually L. australis) has stuck to this plant, particularly
amongst nurserymen. It has no priority, and its use should be dis-
couraged.

Timber. — Its chairacteristics are toughness, strength, and <^urable
qualities. It has a more than usual tendency to warp and twist, which
could be largely counteracted by felling at the proper season, and by giving
somie attention to seasoning. The timber wants a little humouring, but
it is so promising as regards durability and resistance to wear, that it is
worthy of pains being taken to give it fair play. With the knowledge that
we possess of Myrtaceous timbers, to cut Brush Box when in full growth,
and then to expose it to the rays of the sun as we often feel them in New
South Wales, is not to give it fair plaj;. ,

It is one of the timbers most obnoxious to white ants. It is pale-coloured,
usually brownish or pinkish, and turning greyish on exposvire. It dulls the
saws. This is the timber perhaps universally used in the northern districts
for tram-rails for haulage of the logs from the forest to the saw-mill. It is.
not cut by the iron wheels, but becomes polished by the traction, while it is
eminently durable. Much used for bullock-yokes. I am' of opinion that
if proper attention were paid to the time of felling, and if it were moderately
seasoned, it would be a useful timber for paving-blocks. I also am of opinion
that the question of its suitability for bridge-decking should form the
subject of careful inquiry. I have seen inch boards of this timber exposed
to the atmosphere for months without warping; at the same time, that it
warps a good deal if cut all through the year, and never seasoned, is
notorious. Owing to its toughness, it is used locally for mallets, chisel-
handles, planes, jaws of hand-screws, &c.

It is extensively used in the North Coast districts for wheelwrights'
work.

Following are specific reports upon it : — '

One of the most vahiable timbers in the colony on account of its durability:
it Is averretl on credible authority that instances are known of this timber
remaining pei-fectly sound after being nearly thirty years worked ui) as ribs
of vessels. . . . Usetl for scantling, flooring-boards, &c. — (N.S.W. Catal.f
London Exh., 1862.) ^'.

83

I would aufrgest it as worth tryiii!^ for l.-irfjo wood t.Ai>e-iiiaking and aimilrtr
purposes, as it does not crack. It is excellent for bullock-yokes. It is gener-
ally said to twist very much when in boards, but at Coopernook saw-mill I
saw last week (June) boards of it 1 inch thick, which had been exposed for
months and had not warped; also rails of it laid down as a tramway for
bringing logs to ttic saw-mill, in moist ground (and for months swampy), in
use for four years, anil now perfectly sound, and has worn well. It is excel-
lent for paving blocks. White ants will not touch it, whether it is alive or
dead. The sap which runs out of a nob or swelling in a living tree, when cut
with an axe, is said to taste strongly of salt. — (Mr. Forester Brown, Port
Macquarie. )

He also states (Agricultural Gazette, 1896, page 557) : —

I find that, besides the many valuable uses to which Brush Box is put, the
following may be added, gleaned from Mr. A. Jennings, Port Macquarie: — "A
countershaft, which drives from the main countershaft, also drives a planing
machine, hand-saw, and two gulleting machines, is 15 feet long. The centre
bearing is of Brush Box. end on. It has been in use twelve months, and shows
no perceptible wear, whilst the bearing at one end of brass has been renewed
in nine months, and now shows ^ inch wear. The other bearing of cast-iron,
which has been renewed twice in twelve months, also shows i inch wear."

Scrub Box has lately come nnich into use, and is considered a very useful
and durable timber, free from pipes and very sound. — (Mr. Forester Green,
Casino.)

Timber of a brownish colour, sometimes yellowish, turning grey on exposure,
or generally so when dry; hard, heavy, and interlocked; used for ribs and
planking of ships; Very hard when dry. Considered to be very lusting (as I
have observed), but said, however, by some not to be very reliable when used
for the decking of bridges. Shrinks irregularly; when cut into thin stuff is
liable to twist and warp. Unequalled when subject to friction ; makes the best
hardwood rails to carry trucks, and is excellent also for bullock-yokes. The
tree, as a rule, is sound ; but some of them are liable to heart shakes in the
falling. As the cutting of this timber .soon dulls the saws, it is not a favourite
with the mill-owners. — i(Mr. Forester Rudder, Booral.)

A further report by Mr. Rudder, puhli.^lied in tlie Agricultural Gazette,
says : — •

I can recollect this timber in the earlier days, over fifty years ago, as the
chosen of all others by a firm of sliii)builders of the names of Malcomo, New-
ton, and Ferrier, \vho used it for ships' planking. It becomes pale when dry.
and in texture is fine and close in the grain, and is usually inlock«l. and. when
seasoned, stands more friction than any other timber I know of, not excepting
the best ironbark, and for this reason is used for tramway rails, also for
bullock-yokes' and planes, as it works very smooth. I have seen it used in
decking for bridges, of which there is now an example in a bridge at Cooloo-
golook, in this district, where it has been placietl for experiment side by side
with tallow-wood, with the result, so far, after four and a half years, with
the exception of two planks, one of which seems to be in part sapwood and the
other too near to the heart, that it is wearing well, even better as regards
friction than the other timber. T'nfortunately, it shrinks unevenly, and in
thin stuff is given to warp; but perhaps by soakage in water these defects
might be remedied. In the house in which I am now writing, one of the floors
is of this wood, whicli has been down for twenty-seven years, and is still in
excellent order. I believe this timber will be found of value for carviug and
for engraving purposes. More attention should be given to it.

The timber is generally considered to be absolutely useless for any purpose
except for firewood, for which it is admirably suited. — (Mr. Forester Pope,
Murwillumbah.)

Timber more inlocked than that of any of the Eucalypts, being too sliort in
the texture to split well, though sometimes will burst freely on the sap. It
makes good mauls, being heavy and dense. As a mine timber (for props, &c.),
it can scarcely be surpassed. It takes a fair polish, and is very durable, and
forms splendid fuel. — (Mr. Forester Deverell, Glen Innes.)

84

Useful for ships' planking and decking of bridges, &c., &c. It Is one of our
best hardwoods, although not liked by sawyers and mill proprietors.— (Mr.
Forester MacDonald, Kempsey.)

The Hon. W. Pettigrew, of Brisbane, wrote to me (August, 1891) : —

Some of this timber was cut into sleepers for a railway near Double Island
Point, Queensland, in 1878. and a few months ago they were examined and
found sound — no white ants at all about them. The railway was abandoned
over ten years ago.

Mr. Pettigrew's opinion (written in 1877) is, however, not favourable as
to this timber.

This timber is of no account for sawing, as it twists and gets uneven in
drying.

It would appear that this timber obtains its best development in New
South Wales, say, from the Manning to the Richmond Rivers.

Following is an extract from a letter to the Daily Telegraph, Sydney, of
9tb September, 1903:—

About 1890, I had a large contract for the Melbourne Harbour Trust. Th«
specifications stated red gum, red ironbark, and box. The only box timber
about Here is brush box, and I cut some 16,000 feet of this, 12 x 4, for deck-
ing, and shipped it with ironbark. My agent in Melbourne sent me a wire that
the inspector for the Harbour Trust had rejected all the box. I at once saw
Mr. Ednie Brown, got letters from him, went to Melbourne, showed the letters
to the chairman of the Harbour Trust, and got their inspector to give the
brush box a trial asking him to place it alongside either karri or jarrah. This
was done. Two years after I got word that the box was the best to stand the
heavy traffic, having beaten all other timber. Surely that was good enough.
I have made use of brush box for both flooring and lining boards, and have
proved that white ants will not touch it, while other timbers alongside have
been destroyed, and there are other scrub woods equally good. — (W. T. Pull en,
Woolgoolga.)

A few years ago Scrub Box was described as firewood. It is most valuable
for many purposes, and though on account of its having to be dressed green, it
warps too much for " tongue and groove " boards, it is very good for ■feather-
boards. — (A. W. Deane, L.S., Lismore.)

The following interesting letter by Mr. D. A. Rogers, timber merchant,
contains useful notes in regard to the Brush Box: —

When in Glasgow 1 made strict inquiry, together with inspection, of the
various systems adopted by the corporation, and, no doubt, as an adopted
Australian, my tastes went in favour of wood of which some fair examples can
be found in that city; still, I was forced to admit that climatic conditions in
Glasgow were not so favourable to wood-blocking as here. Two things seemed
apparent to me in my inspections : first subsidence, and second decayed blocks,
and the reasons I naturally attributed were — subsidence, due to imperfect or
insufficient bedding, or heavier traffic than has to be contended with in Sydney;
decay of blocks, imperfect knowledge of the hardwoods used; and an admix-
ture of the blocks cut from logs that had passed the stage of maturity, and
only required a damp and humid atmosphere to hasten decomposition. The
decaying blocks pointed out were said to be jarrah, and knowing our colonial
mahogany — which is simply the former with another State name — I had no
difficulty in stating that like conditions would apply with either timber under
similar conditions, and recommended there, as I also do here, " Brush Box "
as the very best of all paving timbers, in so far as it is unrivalled in durability
underground, while in most atmospheres it has little contraction, and main-
tains a soft-springy surface unequalled with any other timber with which I am
acquainted. Baltic is used in many parts, is cheaper than hardwood, but on
sanitary grounds is an undesirable element in street formation. An objection
to Australian hardwoods in street-blocking is their density and greasiness in
ordinary weather, which is tenfold intensified with the first approach of frost

85

and " rime." The Brush Box previously mentioned has combative properties
in this respoct. lieporting on wood-paving in the Gl^Jsgow Municipal Enter-
prise, I extract a short paragraph bearing thereon, which reads : — " Wood-
paving has been in use to a limited extent for a considerable number of yearg.
Experience has shown that soft woods rapidly wear out under the influence
of our moist climate and the wear and tear caused by the shoes of horses,
the mode of shoeing adojited for the horses in the city being very detrimental
to this class of paving. The only woods that have given any satisfaction are
the hardwoods from Burmah (pynkadoe) and Australian jarrah." After read-
ing this I came to the conclusion that Glasgow had yet much to learn about
timbers suitable for i)aviug purjwses, and that an expert from this State wa»
badly wanted to " con\'ince and convert " as to the superiority of New South
Wales timbers over all others hitherto exi>erimented upon. I carried back
with me a samjjle of the Burmah article, and while placing it before jarrah,
must say that against either I place turpentine and brush box as the timbers
best adapted for street-paving throughout the United Kingdom. — (Balmain
Observer, 7th October, 1905.)

BnrJc. — The tree has brown deciduous sub-fibrous bark on the butt, with
smooth brandies. It has been stated that this bark is occasionally used for
tanning, but it does not appear to promise much in that direction.

Habitat. — It is confined to Eastern and iTorthem Australia, chiefly to
northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, in the coast districts.
The most southern locality known to me is Port Stephens. It is found
generally in mountain brushes near watercourses, and in gullies near and
on the coast and eastern slopes of the Dividing Range; occasionally in
the open forest.

It thrives in and about the edges of brushes, along creeks and shady hol-
lows, but not to any great extent, and is not found in belts in this district. —
(Mr. Forester Brown, Port Macquarie.)

Plentiful in places in this district, Macleay, Nambucca, Bellinger, and
Clarence to the Tweed River. Generally in mountain brushes near water-
courses, and in gullies near and on the coast, and eastern slopes of the
Dividing Range, occasionally in the open forest. — (Mr. Forester Rudder,
Booral.)

Found to a large extent growing on the crests of forest ridges, its presence
generally in mountain brushes near watercobrses, and in gullies near and
about Murwillurabah.

This is one of the most plentiful timbers we have in the brush forests here.
— (Mr. Forester MacDonald, Kempsey.)

Queensland. — Sandy Cape and Kepi>el Bay, mouths of the Burdekin
River, Rockhampton, Edgecumbe Bay to the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay,
&c. (B.Fl.) It is plentiful on the ridges near Brisbane, but is of no
great size. It grows in the scrubs near Double Island Point, and in
similar places up Moggill Creek, and in these places it is a tall straight
solid tree. (Hon. W. Pettigrew.)

Size. — Up to 150 feet, with diameter of 5 feet. (Mr. Forester Brown,
Port Macquarie.)

40 to 50 feet. (Mr. Fo;rester Green, Casino.)

Generally about 3 to 4 feet in diameter, exceptionally up to 7 or 8 feet;
height up to 120 or 130 feet. (Mr. Forester Rudder, Booral.)

On another occasion Mr. Rudder stated : — " This tree is of large size, not
unfrequently up to 17 and 18 feet in circumference. Of eighteen I
measured, their average girth was 17 feet 4 inches."

" A tree was measured with a girth of 29 feet at 3 feet from the ground.
It was growiniT 1.800 to 2,000 feet above sea-level on Bulga Mountain, head
of Ellenboroucrh River." (George S. Hill, Bungay, Wingham, 27th Novem-
ber, 1906.)

86

"The trees grow to an average height of 120 feet, with an average
diameter of 2 feet 6 inches." (Mr. Forester Pope, Murwillumbah.)

"Height 150 feet, diameter 3 feet." (Mr. Forester MacDonald, Kemp-
sey.) I saw trees of this size also in the Bellinger River district.

Propagal ion.-— From seed. It is one of the best shade-trees of New South
Wales, is evergreen, Avith rich glossy leaves, white feathery-looking flowers,
and fmits looking very much like those of gum-trees. It is to be seen in
thousands of Sydney gardens, planted for shade and ornament, the tree
being shapely as well as possessing handsome foliage. It is one of the best
trees for street planting in the Sydney climate, and has been largely adopted
by the Municipality of Strathfield in boulevarding the streets of Strathfield
and Homebush, but more extensively by Ashfield. Other municipalities
have used it less. It is well worthy of being planted in the play-grounds of
schools where there is a fair depth of soil, and the climate is warm and
not too dry.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 17.
A. Expanding bud.

15. J'ront view of fully expanded flower, showing staiuiual bundles,
c. Vertical section of ovary, witli style and sti^uia (petals

removed ) .
I). Tran,sverse section of ovary.
E. Top view of fruit.

Ilelaleuca leucadendron, L.

The Broad-leaved Tea-trki';.

Botanical Name. — Melaleuca, from two Greek words — melas (black), and
leukos (white), because the trunk of the first tree described was black and the
branches white. The explanation probably is that trunk and branches were
alike papery and white, but that the trunk (as is often the case) was charred
by a fire, giving it a blackish appearance. Leucaclendron, also from two
Greek words, leulcos, white, and dendron, a tree, hence "White tree'' from
its general appearance. In fact, we in Australia sometimes call it "White
Tea-tree."

Vernacular Names. — Like so many Australian Myrtaceous trees and
shrubs it is known as " Tea-tree." Because of the broadness of its leaves it
is usually known by the name " Broad-leaved Tea-tree." It is known also
as^ " Swamp Tea-tree " because (with other species of the genus) it grows in
swamps. Because of the foliaceous character of its bark, which gives the
trunk a whitish appearance, it is known as " Paper-bark tree " and " White
Tea-tree." Baron Mueller calls it the " Tropical Paper-bark tree." I have
heard that it is called " ^lilkwood " in the Northern Territory.

Ahoriginal Names.- — '' ISTumbah " of the aborigi^ues of the southern part
of New South Wales, according to the late Sir William Macarthur. T
Avould suggest that this is the origin of ^the name of the township of Numba,
near the mouth of the Shoalhaven River.

Following is a note by Mr. J. D. Lord, Public School, Numba, in regard
to my suggestion that the township may be named after the tree.

The name Nuniba is senerall.v spelt with a final double "a" — " Numbaa,"
and is most certainly an aborif^inal word; I have often discussed this very
name with old settlers, who are more or less acquainted witli the earl.y naming
of this district, but no two agree.

F. Fl., pi. 17.

TRISTANIA CONFERTA. R.Bp. (Brush Box.)

87

Nuinba has little or no sandy soil, but out " "Warri Warri " — (this word, I
always think, is wx'ongly spelt, more likely a final '• a " instead of " i " ;
■' Warra Warra " means rain), — there are miles of sand; I have often seen the
Broad-leaved Tea-tree growing as I passed along. Again, on " Comarong
Island," between Numba and the sea, 1 find sand and the Tea-trees.

It may be, of course, that the township was named Numba after the trees,
although Niimba trees may not be on the exact site of the township.

It is " Belbowrie," or " Belbourie," of the county of Gloucester, as far as
Kempsey at least, hence the place-name Belbowrie, near Krambach, New
South Wales.

Leaves — Oil. — The young: leaves are bruised in water and the liquid drunk
for headaches and colds, and general sickness; the bark is also used for
bedding, &c., on the Mitchell River, Queensland (E. Palmer). But by far
the most important use of this tree is for the oil the leaves contain; this is
the well-known " Cajeput oil " of commerce.

Barh. — Several species of Melaleuca have a thin papery bark which tears
off in several layers. It is used, amongst other purposes, by the aboriginal
women to wrap their children in. Mr. W. Soutter, of Brisbane, has used
the ground paper bark of this tree for packing fruit for export. (Seo
Queensland Agricultural Journal, also Cape Agricultural Journal, 11th and
25th Jaimary, 1894.)

Timber. — Exceedingly hard and cross-grained, almost imperishable in
moist places, but otherwise not of special merit, greatly used for ship
timbers, boat knees, and posts; wood much resembling' that of the Melaleucas
generally, very apt to crack and fly open on drying.

It is hard, fairly heavy, close-grained, and not unlike Mararie in texture; it
makes a good club that drives well, and is of the right weight and toughness.'*
— (It. T. Baker, in (Jolf Illustrated, 2Sth July, 1905.)

" Belbourie," or Broadleaf Tea-tree, makes excellent flooring and lining
boards, wears well under cover and keeps white appearance ; crooks niiide
out of the roots very much used in building wooden vessels ; grows to 7 or S
feet girth, bark also in layers similar to White Prickly Tea-tree. Both kinds
l)ractically Mhite-ant resistant." — (Forest Guard McKinnon, Gulgong.)

The timber splits fairly well, and is largely used for firewood at Balliua,
Richm<md River, X.S.W.— ( J.H.M.)

Tea-tree (Melaleuca Icucademlron, var. laneifolia). — A fairly large tree
having a white spongy bark, in very thin paper-like layers. There are numerou*
varieties, most of which may be used for the purposes mentioned below. The
leaves of this variety are stiff and sharply-pointed. Wood of a grey colour.

T'sed for piles and underground work (without removal of bark) ; and, wh'^n
thus completely buried in the ground for drainage puri)Oses. they have been
known to last a number of years. When barked, the saplings are often used
in the round for rafters, &c., in outbuildings, and last a long time. — (Caiul.
Queensland Forestry Museum, 1904.)

Size. — Up to 40 or 50 feet, and a diameter of 1 or 2 feet in central and
coastal New South Wales, but attaining a large size as Queensland is
approached. Mueller says it is the largest and straightest tree in the
Northern Territory.

Hahiiat. — From the Shoalhaven River, New South Wales (I do not know-
its furthest southern locality), north right along the coast, in moist sandy
localities, to Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. Found also
in Western Australia (its precise range I do not know), in New Caledonia,
the whole Malayan Archipelago, and Burma.

88

EXPLANATION OF PLATE lo.

A. Outside view of tlie flower opened out — («) Calyx, (ft) Petals,

(c) Stamens.

B. Inside view of tlie flower opened out.

a. Pistil,
c. One stamiual bundle with a petal.
D. Stamens.
K. Pistil. ^

F. Ovary, showing convex summit.

G. Vertical section of ovary.

H. Horizontal section of ovary.
I. Fruiting spike.

Synaarpia laurifolia, Ten.

The Turpentine-tree.

Botanical Name. — Syncarpia, indirectly from two Greek words, sun,
together, and Icarpos, a fruit, in allusion to the heads of fruits which have
their calyces joined or grown together (connate). This may readily be seen
from the figure.

Vernacular Name. — " Turpentine-tree." It is so called because of the
resinous exudation which flows between, the bark and the wood when the
timber is cut into. It is an unfortunate name, as it suggests inflammability,
■and turpentine is one of the most uninflammable of timbers. In some
■districts the fresh red-coloured turpentine is called " red-turpentine " to
distinguish it from the chocolate or dark-brown coloured timber known as
"" black turpentine." They are the same timber, the latter either being over-
matured, or suffering from incipient decay. In the Gosford district the
name " silky turpentine " is applied by timber-getters to turpentines in
which the bark is thinner and stringy, and the wood comparatively light in
-colour when freshly cut.

Leaves. — Somewhat laurel-like, as the specific name denotes. The under-
side of a dirty white, often with small black patches, caused by a minute
fungus. V i!

Flowers. — White, and in small round balls, consisting of a number of
individual flowers joined together by their calyces.

Fruit. — Hard and woody, and containing abundance of the brown dust-
like seed, which sheds as soon as the fruits get dry. On the fruit are often
seen globules of the so-called " turpentine."

Baric. — The bark is of a flaky, fibrous character, and often of a consider-
iible thickness. It is of a brown colour. In large trees it has a furrowed
appearance. The bark of our turpentine-tree does not appear to be piit to
any useful purpose, with the exception, an important one, of a covering to
the logs.

Timher. — In colour it is usually dull red, but it varies to brown or purple-
brown. It has a neat and perhaps characteristic grain. Mr. Augustus
Hudder says: — "1 believe that this timber might be used to advantage in
•cabinet work, as some of it is handsome, and takes a good polish, and only,
I believe, requires proper treatment to make it more highly esteemed for
many purposes." It has been successfully used by local billiard-table manu-
facturers for table-legs.

F. Fl.. pi 15.

MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON, L. (Broad-leaved Tea-tree.)

89

It is said to be comparatively soft and brittle, but perhaps there is some
mistake in this, as I have always found it to be as hard as the average-
myrtaceous timbers, and it is not brittle when the sapwood is removed. In
Professor Warren's work on Australian Timbers there are a number of testa
of the strength of this timber.

Like many other myrtaceous timbers, such as myrtles, turpentine is very-
liable to rend in drying. It also warps when much exposed, unless seasoned
with unusual care; this is a drawback to its use for uprights in buildings.
In the Jurors' Reports, London International Exhibition of 1862, it is
fttated to be ''the best wood for railway sleepers." At the present day,
. however, it is never knowingly used for such a purpose, its tendency to warp.
and rend being against it. Mr. Rudder, however, states that its tendency to
warp as sawn stuff is " entirely obviated by a few weeks' soakage in water,,
and I have seen it after this treatment free from cracks. It steams remark-
ably well, so much so, that I have observed stout planking successfully
turned edgeways at an angle of over 30 degrees."

It is very abundant, as its chief utilisation at the present time is for piles
and hewn posts and rails, since saw-millers dislike it exceedingly, as it
rapidly dulls their saws. It would be very desirable to subject it to proper
microscopic examination ; possibly this might throw light upon this property
of turpentine. It is not easy to burn, except with a good draught. In such
situations as jjillars, girders, &c., in buildings it usually only chars, and is-
in consequence easily extinguished — a very useful property in buildings. I
v.as informed that, in a very large fire in Sydney, surprise was expressed'
that the building was not gutted, for the wooden gii'ders and joists were
put to a very severe tost. It Avas believed that the girders were ironbark,.
and they were so specified, but the contractor substituted turpentine without
anyone being any the wiser. This pious fraud was, however, the means of
minimising the destructive effects -of the fire. It is very resistant to white-
ant, but it must be remembered that no timber is absolutely white-ant proof,,
as white ants, if put to it, will probably eat any timber on the face of the
globe. To sum up, its chief recommendation is its durability, resisting
decay in the ground, whether from white ant or other causes, while it is one-
of the best timbers we have for resisting marine borers, especially if the
bark be intact. It is very difficult to burn, a great recommendation to its
use in buildings. It will thus be seen that the properties of turpentine^
those at least which give it its value, are mostly of a n^ative character.

Its principal use is, besides those indicated in the foregoing paragraphs^
as a second-class timber for wood-paving.

At this place I give the findings of the Report on this timber, particu-
larly with reference to its resistance to Cobra (Toredo) made by Mr. J. V.
de Coque and myself, and ordered by the I^egislative Assembly to be printed
on the 29th October, 1895. The greater part of the Report was reprinted in
my '•' Forest Flora of New South "Wales," Part I.

SUMMAEY OF FINDINGS AND KeCOMMENDATIONS.

To the Is^ Question, — Does the true turpentine resist the attacks of cobra
when used in iiiles, girders, &c., and in public works?

Our answer is that turpentine is not an absolute resistant to cobra, either
in pure salt water or in tidal waters, whether the bark is on or not. The
turpentine will resist the cobra as well, or better, than any other hardwood>
providing the bark remains uninjured.

90

That cobra is much moi'e active in attacking turpentine in tidal waters,
where salt and fresh water mix, than in pure salt water.

To the 2n(l Question, — Are there two varieties of turpentine timber, one
cobra-resisting, the other not?

Our answer is. that there are two turpentines of the same species, called the
black and the red, but. although frecpiently no sufficiently sharp line of demar-
cation exists between the two timbers for us to single one variety for special
commendation, we would prefer typically I'ed turpentine. There is also a
brush turpentine, whose botanical name is Jihrxfamnia trincrria. somewhat
similar to true turpentine, but we found no evidence to show that it had been
substituted for true turpentine, and we failed to find any inducement to
timber-getters to do so.

To the Srd Question, — Have any other timbers been substituted for turpen-
tine and used for piles, &c.?

Our answer is, that we found no evidence that such is the case. Further,
we failed to find any inducement to suppliers to do so, as turpentine is very
plefitiful in the coast districts.

We recommend, —

(«) That in pure salt water, in special instances where it is Ivuown that
cobra is not very active, also in very foul salt water, such as around
Pyrmont and Glebe Island bridges, the use of turpentine piles be
continued, providing they are driven with their back attached and
uninjured. In cases of outside piles, exposed to the friction of the
sides of vessels, some protection or guard should be adopted to pre-
vent damage to the bark of the piles.

(b) That where turi)entine piles .are specified to be with the bark on. the
condition should be rigorously enforced, piles found to sliow defect in
the bark below high-water mark being condemned as unfit for use.

(c) That turpentine piles be, as far as possible, felled when the i^tip is
down, and the bark closely adheres to the log.

((?) That in unpolluted tidal waters, turpentine piles 1>e protected by
metal sheathing.

Sl>eakiug more generall.v. and taking into consideration the fact tliat turpen-
tine is not al)solutely resistant to cobra, and the very great exjjense the De]>art-
ment of Public Works is annually put to in replacing cobra-infested timber, we
reconunend that for the future the use of turpentine timber, either with or
without l)ark. or in squared or sawn sizes, when placed in any position in
which cobra is known to be active, should be discontinued in the i)ublic works
of this colony, unless it is absolutely protected throughout its entire face and
ends bj' copper or some other equally satisfactory i»rotective covering.

We would recommend the sheathing of turiK-ntine piles, without an.v excep-
tion whatever, if the question of exi)ense did not stand in the way, and the
only exceptions we reconunend are those of piles on the coast and in parts of
S.vdney Harbour, as already stated.

The cost of copi)ering piles, or rather the Increase of the practice of copper-
ing piles, will at once claim attention; but we would observe that the expen.se
of the piles them.selves i^ not the only consideration. If they are eaten through,
the superstructure may have to be rejilaced. perhaps at a cost many times
exceeding that of the ]»iles themselves. The matter of the life of a pile involves
other considerations than that of the durability of a post in fencing which
carries no superstructure.

Turpentine is plentiful in most of the coast forests of New South Wales. It
is essentially a j)ile timber, growing as it does in suitable sizes, straight and
even in the barrel, and up to 90 and 100 feet in length, and it Is the cheapest
class of hardw(K)d procurable in the round in the colony. If the timber be
coppered there will be no necessity, except in rare instances, to use coppered
ironbark for piles, and tl)e drain on ironbark for this particular work will be
very largely reduced. We desire to encourage? the use of turi>eutine for pilee,
but subject to all the precautions we have indicated.

91

Coninienting on this Kcport, Mr. C. W. Darlej-.. late Enpinoer for Har-
bours and Rivers, New South Wales, who gave especial attention to the
subject of turpentine timber and cobra, wrote to me —

There is one [)ortion which, from long exiierienee and observation, I must
remain at issue with your eoneltisions. I refer to .vour conclusions set foi'th
in clause V that the bark will afford jyrotection to the piles. I had in my old
office a bajj; full of samples of bark and wood cut from turpentine piles under
water, showing; the worm-holes i)a.ssinf; Ihrouf^h the bark and into the timl)er
(sap-wood only) — indeed some samples rather indicated that they had a weak-
ness for the bark-covered jwrtions. It may be that where the bark is cloaeJij
adherent they pass throujjh. but when at all loose they do not. 1 have never
yet met with a case when Teredo sinkinj;; in one piece of wood has passed out
into an adjoining piece even though in close contact — for instance, I have se<^n
dozens of defective ])lanks removed from punts, and never detected a worm
passing from the bad one to those adjoining or to the planks inside. In 3-inch
])lanking the, caulking would perhai)s only go half-way as shown in rough
sketch,* having li-incli of wood in close contact.

I never saw this joint crossed. May it not be the same with the bark if
still loose it forms sucli a joint, while if it is closely adherent the worm may
pass jfr! shown by the samples I had in my i)ossession, now all lost I fear. I
li'.'ver troubled about the bark being kept on after the piles were brought on to
the ground and passed. I looked to the bark as one of the means for identify-
ing tlie timber only, and I have never yet seen any difference in life between
those driven with or without bark. All are equally lial)le to be damaged as
far as the sap-wood goes.

When deciding to use ■■^hrafhrd piles I would never think of using turi)eji-
tiue, as the.v invariably run nmch larger In the girth at the butt for (say) a
40-foot i)ile than ironbark, as a rule, indeed, quite ~}0 per cent, larger. So
when sheathing is paid for at Is. fid. per super, foot, tlie extra i)ric'e of the
timber is soon covered by the saving in sheathing.

KEPOKT OX THE Dl'RABILITY OF rNSHIL\THEr) Tl'RPENTINE
I'lLES FOR WHARF CONSTRUCTION.

During the past three years, while demolishing a niunber of old wharves in
Sydney Harbour to make room for improvements necessitated l)y the growth
of the trade of the j)ort. we have had ample opportunit.v of ascertaining the
value of turjientine piles for wharf iHinstruction. Nearly all the old private
wharves in Darling Harbour were built of imsheathed turpentine i)iles of froni
8 inches to 12 inches in diameter. Though tlie exact dates of erecticm are not
obtainable, it is well known that many of them have been standing from thirty
to forty years. They were usuall.v of light construction, having l)een built to
suit a much smaller class of vessels than we find it necessary to provide for
now. Had it not been for the great increase in tonnage of ships in recent
.years, several of these old wharves might have been repaired and made
serviceable for a few .vears more. Naturally some of the piles drawn were
found to be entirely crip])led. but an examination showed that tliese were
usually not turpentine, but some other timber.

We have, in our sample-room in the office, four sections cut from piles
drawn from Smith's wharf. Miller's Toint, which, from outside indications,
appeared to be amongst the most damaged of the inles, usuall.v about low-
water mark. In three instances, while the sapwood has disappeared, having
been destroyed by Limnoria tcrchran.H, the timl>er itself is as sonnd as the da.v
it went into place. Only one of the three sections has an.y teredo holes, and
that not more than ten small ones, which would not materiall.v weaken the
pile. The fourth section, which is completely riddled with holes, is not tur-
pentine, and has been classed as ironbark. It may be added that about SO
per cent, of the old turpentine piles, which we have drawn recently after a
Kervice varying up to fort.v .years, have been used over again for various
purposes, such as sleepers for cargo-shed floors, repairs to old wharves, &c.

• Not reproduced.

92

Touching upon more modern experience, we recently demolished a jetty in
Woolloomooloo Bay which had been standing twenty years. The piles were
of unsheathed turpentine, and proved to be so sound that they have been used
again in additions to wharves such as Jones Brothers' coal wharf. Gillespie's
wharf, &c. These piles only showed a few teredo holes in the sapwood, and a
little erosion above low-water mark, due to Limnoria.

From our experience, which it will be seen is based upon the test of a
great many years, it is quite certain that turpentine piles, unsheathed, are in-
comparably superior, not only to any other Australian timber, but, also, to
any other obtainable of the same size.

Our opinion of the value of turpentine as a teredo-resisting timber has
received such confirmation that we have built several wharves on unsheathed
turpentine piles, amongst which may be mentioned Dalgety's White Star
wharf, at Miller's Point, 1,200 feet long by 40 feet wide, and we confidently
look forward to a life of from thirty to forty years for these wharves.

H. D. WALSH,

Engineer-in-Cliief.
^ W. E. ADAMS,

Sydney Harbour Trust, Assistant Engineer.

28th November, 1904.

Exudation. — If the tree be wounded, there exudes a brownish liquid resin.
If it be desired to collect this substance in quantity, the best way is to fell
the tree and to cut it into logs, which may be inclined. Tlie resin will
■exude, forming a ring between the wood and the bark, and may be scraped
oflF or drained into a suitable vessel. It belongs to the class of bodies known
as '' oleo-resins."

Size. — From 120 to 180 feet is no uncommon height for this tree to attain.
It often measures 20 to 30 feet in circumference, with a great length of
bole; but such magnificent specimens are, within easy range of Sydney,
usually found in gullies difficult of access.

Habitat. — It extends throughout the coast districts from the Tweed to
the Ulladulla district, arriving at its greatest luxuriance in deep gullies
containing good soil, in which situations it is also found well into the moun-
tains. Its southern limit is the head of Cockwhy Creek, between Ulladulla
and Bateman's Bay. It extends into Queensland. The return, in my
'• Forest Flora of Xew South Wales," Part I, gives valuable information
concerning turpentine, and is a guide to the distribution of this timber.

In walking over the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, the last tree of
this species, seen by Mr. R. H. Cambage and myself, is at the top of the big
hill, Lawson to Wentworth Falls.

It is indigenous to the Sydney Botanic Gardens and Domain.

Propagation. — From seed, which is very freely produced. This tree is
one of the best indigenous shade-trees in the State. It is gregarious, and
its noble, leafy head makes it an ideal tree under which to put garden seats,
or to serve as shelter trees for men or animals in a paddock, or as specimen
trees, to give a park -like appearance to the land. It is one of those trees
that should always be spared in clearing operations, unless its room is
actually wanted. It is so different in appearance to the ordinary run of
gum-trees that the occurrence of turpentines is often a relief to the eye.
My experience tends to show that turpentines have a large number of roots
near the surface, which, if disturbed, readily kill the tree. I would not,
however, like to generalise on this point. I have seen some experiments on
pollarding the turpentine. The trees were cut in the month of May, and

F. Fl.. pi. 3.

SYNCARPIA LAURJFOLIA, Ten. (The Turpentine Tree.)

93

have freely sent forth leaf-buds a considerable distance down the trunk,
giving the tree quite an ornamental appearance. Where a tree is growing
too large, and it is not necessary to absolutely renaove it, the experiment I
have indicated might be made.

EXPLANATION OF I»IiATE 3.

A. View of individual flower, seen from above — (a) Petal, (6)

Sepal (calyx-lobe).

B. Flower seen from below — (a) Petal, (b) Sepal,
c. Flower with stamens removed — (a) Bract.

D. Stamen.

E. Pistil.

F. Transverse section of ovary.
0. Cluster of fruits.

H. Longitudinal section of a head of fruits.

JH

Wattles (Acacia).

DRY COUNTRY WATTLES.

a. Flowers in heads.

1. Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall).

2. Acacia liomalopliylla (Yarran).

3. Acacia Camhagei (Gidgee).

4. Acacia harpophylla (Brigalow),

5. Acacia salicina (Cooba).

b. Flowers in spikes.

6. Acacia aneiira (Mulga).

7. Acacia C mining! lamii (Bastard Myall).

Acacia pendula, A. Cunn.

TiiK Weeping Myall.

Botanical Name. — Pendula, Latin, owing- to its drooping branches, after
the manner of the Weeping Willow.

Vernacular Name. — The most common name is " Myall '' or '' AVeeping
Myall." In the Riverina it is often called '"Boree" (a name it shares with
at least one other Acacia). From Grenfell I have reoeived twigs labelled
'' Myall ■' and " Boree " respectively. My correspondent wrote, " The more
slender twig is Myall, and the more clustered one is Boree." At the same
time I could not make out any differences between the Myall and Boree
sent. I hope correspondents who live in districts where the names are both
in use will clear the matter up. The name Myall seems to be commonest
employed nearly due west and Boree in the Riverina.

Ahoriginal Name. — The name " Balaar " has been given to me as an
aboriginal one for this tree, in use in the north-west. I would like to know
jnore about this nan^e, which too much resembles Belah (Casuarina lepido-
phloia) to be convenient.

'' Boree " is a native name in the Hay district according to the late K. II.
Bennett. It bears this name also in the Balranald, Wagga Wagga, Barmed-
man, and Grenfell districts.

Leaves (Phyllodia). — That this is a viseful fodder tree is imquestionable,
but there are differences of opinion as to its precise value.

Stock, especially sheep, are very fond of the leaves of this tree, especially
in seasons of drought, and for this reason, and because they eat down the
seedlings, it has almost become exterminated in many parts. Horses do
not like it.

90

Mr. R. W. Peacock writes of it : — Myall is rapidly beoominj? oxtorminated
through overstocking. Although of the same genus as the " Mulga," is not
nearly such a good fodder plant, sheep not being particularly fond of it.
Its silvery foliage and ])endulous habit give it rather an attractive appt^ar-
ance."

Timher. — Wood hard, close-grained, of a rich dark colour, and beautifully
marked. It was used by the aborigines for boomerangs. It is heavy, and
rarely exceeds a foot in diameter, and yet has been used for veneers. So
long as it remains unpolished it preserves its ix'culiar fragrance of violets,
which does not occur in greater i:)erfection in any other tree. As soon as
this remarkable property became known to European manufacturers tlu^
wood came into request for making glove, handkerchief, and other fancy
boxes, and especially for tobacco-pipes. Other Acacia woods are often
artificially scented to imitate the true Myall, but the perfume of the wood
thus prepared is fugacious.

In the Sydney Morning Herald of the IGtIi March, 1894, appeared a)i
amiouncement that the Aberdeen liner steamer " Damascus ' ' took " a lot of
Myall 'for the British Admiralty, that wood having been selected as best
suited to the requirements of the Ordnance Department as material for
the manufacture of spokes for gun carriages." I never heard whether the
timber was considered suitable for that purpose. It is one of the best fuel
woods in the districts in which it occurs.

We have a number of intensely hard, heavy, dark-coloured woods, which
smell more or less of violets. They are used chiefly for turnery work. The
trees attain no great size (say 30 feet), wnth a trunk-diameter of 12 to IS
inches. They are mostly found in the drier parts of the State, and are
plentiful. Considerable railway freights add to their cost, but not to a
prohibitive extent, as these timbers are usually used for small articles,
such as mallets (presentation and otherwise), turned cups and boxes, rulers,
draughtsmen, chessmen, and the better class of turned work generally.

The Myall is the mJost important, as has already been stated, but the
Brigalow {Acacia harpophylla), Yarran, {Acacia homalophylla), are also
valuable timbers of the above class. There are others, and the quantity
available will satisfy any demand ever likely to be made upon them.

Miss Ada Wythes, of Tomingley, informs me that the abundant saline
ash of Myall wood is often used by bushmen in the preparation of damper,
while housewives, in the districts in which the tree grows, often use it for
the purpose of whitening fireplaces.

Exudations. — The exudation of gum in this species is rare.

Size. — Up to 20 or 30 feet, with a diameter of, say, a foot.

Hahitnt. — This tree appears to be confined to the drier parts of New
"South Wales and Queensland. It has been found across the Darling, and I
should not be surprised to hear of its occurrence in South Australia. In
our own State some of its most eastern localities are Willow Tree, neur
Mudgce, and Xarrabri. Kecords of its occurrence as far east as possible
would be valuable.

As a rule it is a sign of good land. It grows on the heavier soils of the
west, as Oxley long ago pointed out. In the following passage he is referring
to our tree: —

The Acacia brushes grow generally on a hard and cla.vey soil evidently
frequently covered with water, and I consider that these plains or brushes are
swamps or morasses in wet weather, since they must receive all the water
frora the low ranges with which they are generally circumsc-ribed.

Propagation. — In some seasons it produces large quantities of pods, and
the germination of the seed is attended Tvith no particular difficulty. In
view of the value of this tree for stock-fodder, and of the fact that it is
gradually becoming scarce, it would appear to be a public duty for pastor-
alists and others to fence in at least a few trees, so as to enable them to
mature their pods and propagate their kind. If this be not done the tree
may eventually be in danger of becoming extinct, as the seedlings are
readily eaten out by stock, and no young trees are, therefore, in many
districts, coming forward to replace the old ones. The Mistletoe pest is
also destroying it.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 61.

A. Flowering branch.

B. Bud.

e. Flower.

D. Portion of expanded flower showing — (o) Calyx, (?>) Petal,

(c) Stamens, (d) Pistil, (e) Stigma.

E. Pods.

F. Seed (enlarged).

The flowers from Coolabah, N.S.W. The fruits from Miss Officer, Zara,
vid, Hay.

Acacia homalophylla, A. Cunn.

The Yarran.

Botanical Name. — Homalophylla, from two Greek words — omales
{omalos), even, level, referring to the smoothness, and perhaps also to the
general uniformity of the phyllodes in this species; phidlon (pJiyllon), a leaf
(phyllode).

Vernacular Names. — This is the common " Yarran." I do not know the
origin of the name, which is well established and distinctive. Some trees
have a curly inlocked grain in their wood, and hence are known as " Curly
Yarran." Concerning these the late Mr. Forester Kidston, of the Lachlan
district, wrote some years ago : —

I never could discover any external difference be1>.veen " Curly Yarran " and
" Yarrau," except a wave in the bark showing the curls in the wood. I only
know one patch of " Curly Yarran " in my beat. There are, however, several
kinds of Yarrau. 1st, Yarran ; 2nd, Mowar, and, 3rd. another out near Moss-
giel, which sheep eat. The two former are no good to sheep.

I never got the specimens from Mr. Kid'ston to which he referred, and
would jx)int out that the term " Yarran " is somewhat loosely used, and
that sometimes twigs have been sent to me as Yarran which really are not
Yarran at all, but other wattles.

In New South Wales the opinion is pretty widely held that the leaves
of certain trees may be edible in one district and not edible in another.
As a very general rule, I believe this idea to be erroneous, and to have
arisen through confusion of closely related trees. I have raised the ques-
tion, which is very important to pastoralists, in my '' Forest Flora of New
South Wales," but the material sent to Sydney for examination has been
unsatisfactory.

Acacia Oswaldi is also sometimes called "Yarran," with some qualifying
adjective.

F. Fl., pi. 61.

ACACIA PENDULA, A. Cunn. (The Weeping Myall.)

97

What is "NARRANf"

Xarran is an edible scrub soruevvliat resembling Brigalow, but is more desir-
able as fodder. It grows mostly in tbe interior and far west of New South
Wales, and in one small patch in the north of Queensland. It had been known
for some time that Narran grew somewhere up north, as blacks had beeu
found with spears made of it, but it had not been seen by the whites. In
1881, when taking cattle out to stock some new country in the Northern
Territory, I came across a large belt of it on the very head of a branch of the
Nicholson River, almost on the dividing watershed. From the appearance of
the scrub it was a popular resort of the natives for the purpose of making
their weapons, the whole belt having been picked over, and the ground was
strewn with shavings and chips. Narran is not found in Western Australia.

The above paragraph occurs in the Sydney Mail for 1890. I have vainly
tried to trace the name of the writer.

Then the well-known explorer, Mr. Ernest Favenc, wrote an article in the
Sydney Morndng Herald of the 25th August, 1906, in which the following
passage occurs: —

The next scrub ^e find mentioned as a hindrance to travel is between the
Lachlan and Murrumbidgee, where the " thick Eucalyptus scrub " turned Oxl6y
back in disappointment and disgust. Oxley afterwards met with clumps of
Myall scrub, when north of the Macquarie, of which he at first speaks rathei:
disparagingly, although now considered one of our most useful trees, as well
as one of graceful and ornamental appearance. Other trees of the same
species, the Narran, &c., seldom grow so dense or close as to be impenetrable
to a rider, although requiring great care to steer a safe course through, and
being eminently adapted to fostering the growth of wild cattle, and the de»
velopment of that human centaur, the Australian scrub-rider.

Seeing the old name Narran once more, I wrote to Mr. Favenc, and ha
kindly replied: —

Re Narran. It may be only a locally-used name, but when I was droving
about twenty-five years ago it was commonly used on the Bogan, and right
across to the Warrego. I had been all my life in Queensland before then, and
took it for a kind of Brigalow until c-orrected.

I wrote to Mr. Hunt, of Burdenda, Dandaloo, at Mr. Favenc's suggestion,
and that gentleman kindly sent me a twig of Yarran.

Later on, under date 28th December, 1906, a letter from me in the
Sydney Morning Herald contained the following passage : —

On 25th August last Mr. Favenc had an interesting article on " Scrub " in
the Herald, in which the following passage occurs : — " Other trees' of the same
species (genus), the Narran, &c., seldom grow so dense or close as to be im-
I^enetrable to a rider." He had been referring to Myall, so that Narran is a
Wattle. I wrote to Mr. Favenc. and, following up clues that he gave, wrote to
certain people, and they sent me twigs of Yarran {Acacia homalophylla) . I
al.so wrote to a Queensland friend, but without result.

Now, I have occasionally, though very i-arely, heard the name Narran used
iKrth In New South Wales and Queensland, but my efforts to trace this Wattle
have never met with success. I venture to ask your readers if they can send
me a 6-inch twig of Narran, otherwise I must begin a second twenty years*
search after this botanical " will o' the wisp."

To this letter a number of replies were received, amongst others the
following two: —

There is no such timber as Narran in this Colony or Queensland. Beyond a
river of that name the word Narran is almost unknown. We have Brigalow
Creek, Gum Flats, Myall Hollows, Mulga Scrubs, and so on, but never, as an
out-and-out bushman, traversing the bowels of New South Wales and Queens-
land, have I even heard of Narran. False names, through faulty pronuncia-
tion, may dece^e an ordinary layman, but never a bushman. Hence Narran

t94031— D

98

is undoubtedly meant for Yarran. There are many bushes (scrub) for which 1
I admit even the bushman has no name. But nothing growing approaching a #
tree in the strict sense of the term has been left unchristened. (James
Fredericlv. )

Referring to the paragraph "What is Narran?"' It must be Yarran that is
meant, but in some parts the blaclis may call it Narran. I have never heard
it so called anywhere.

I am a native of the colony, and until the last twenty years was in the
country — boy and man — over forty years. (James Stainway.)

As to the geographical name Narran we have the following: —

Narran, a large swamp and river of New South Wales. It was discovered
by 8ir T. L. Mitchell in 184(5. Narran Swamp is situated 2G miles beyond the
itiver Darling ; the Narran River terminates in this extensive swamp ; it joins
the river Bakmne in long. 148° 25' E., and lat. 28° 35' 38" S. Along the
banks of this river the grass is of the very best description, growing on plains
or in open forests; very available in every respect for cattle stations. ("A
Geographical Dictionary ; or Gazetteer of the Australian Colonies," by W. H.
.Wells, Sydney, 1848.)

If V7e turn to chapter 3 of Mitchell's " Tropical Australia," we find
abundant references to the Narran Swamp and River.

* It was evidently a native name, not given by Mitchell, but adopted from ^
Ihe name the stockmen gave him. I cannot connect it with our Yarran. *

It seems to me that we must write "Narran" the scrub as a variant
of the word "Yarran," and it may be now buried decently. If, however,
any further evidence be forthcoming, it can be disinterred at any time.

Aboriginal Name. — " Won,g-arrah " is an aboriginal name at Cloncurry,
Ilforthern Queensland, according to Mr. E. Palmer; but in regard to all
names attributed to the Yarran, care should be taken that the herbarium
specimens do not refer to the Gidgee (Acacia Cambagei) (see p. 99), these
(two species being often confused with dried specimens only.

Leaves. — Tliere is considerable difference in the width of young and
mature leaves (phyllodes) in this species. Cattle eat the foliage.

Fruit. — This is one of the Wattles of which the blacks used to eat the
. seeds.

Barh. — A specimen of this bark gave the following result: — Tannic acid,
"OOG per cent., and extract 21-51 per cent. It was from an old tree full of
flakes, and could be pulled to pieces with the fingers. A dry-country bark,
fcut hardly a fair specimen of that.

Timber. — One of the best firewoods of the west. Timber hard, and of a
-violet odour. This dark -brown wood is much sought after for turners' work
on account of its solidity and fragrance. It is well adapted to cabinet-
making purjwses, and stock-wliip handles and fancy articles, such as rulers
and napkin rings, are often made from it. Allan Cunningham says the
natives of New South Wales formerly employed it for spears. Referring to
^he blacks of Northern Queensland, —

The wood is made into boomerangs, and is the favourite wood for spears.
Some spears are found 12 and 14 feet long, in one straight piece, not thiclcer
than a man's finger, being very tough and free in the grain. (E. Palmer.)

Exudations. — E. Palmer says the gum is gathered, and eaten from this
tree on the Cloncvirry, Queensland. It is also used for adhesive purposes
in New South Wales.

^ize. — As a rule it is a small or medium-sized tree, often gnalrled.
Speaking of the Lachlan district, Mr. Forester Kidston stated : — " Yarran

F. Fl.. pi. 133.

ACACIA HOMALOPHYLLA, A. Cunn. (Yafran.)

99

cannot be called ' timber,' as not over one in 5,000 could be got 6 feet long,
(5 inches in diameter, and straight." At the same time the Yari'an, in some
districts, exhibits a better trunk than that.

Habitat. — It is a dry-country species, confined to' 'Rew South Wales,
Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria.

In the " Flora Australiensis " it is recorded from : —

New South Wales. — Abundant on the barren heaths of the interior, from
the Lachlan to the Barrier Range; one of the spear-woods of the natives.

We have it in the National Herbarium, Sydney, from the following
localities : —

Wauganella, near Hay; Ivanhoe, via Hay; Wyalong; "A spreading tree
20-25 feet, stems 6-12 inches diameter, plentiful all over the LacUan
district," Murrurabidgee ; Darling to Warrego, Cobar Road, Dunlop, Louth,
Bourke, Coolabah, Nyngan, Tomingley to Peak Hill, Dandaloo, Minore,
Coonamble, Bylong, Belltrees, near Scone, Warialda, Narrabri West.

There is a large clump of Yarran at Belltrees (the most easterly locality
recorded), perhaps a thousand trees of all sizes, up to fine umbrageous
specimens (growing alone) of 30-40 feet and 1-2 feet trunk diameter.
Abundance of seedlings growing where stock are excluded.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 133.

A. Young foliage (note its comparatively great width).

B. Flowering branch,
c. Flower-head.

D. Individual bud and bract.

E. Flower.

F. Flower openal out, showing — (a) Calyx, (&) Corolla,

Stamens, (rf) Pistil.

G. Pods. These smaller constricted pods are from Gunbar

Baeuerlen ) .
H. This pod is the normal form.
I. Seed. Natural size.

(c>|
(W.

Acacia Cambagei, R. T. Baker.

The GmoEE.

Botanical Name. — Camhapei, in honour of Richard Hind Cambage, Under
ecretary for Mines, New South Wales, an. enthusiastic botanist.

Vernacular Names. — The aboriginal name " Gidgee " is in almost uni-
jrsal use.

The smell of the tree is abominable, and just before rain almost unbear-
ile, and on this sign people frequently foretell the approach of rain. I
ive heard of instances in which men who were employed in cutting down,
tree of this species just before rain became so sick as to be compelled to>
ive the tree.

Aboriginal Name. — " Gidgee." Of this word there are various spellinsrs,
ch as " Gidgea," " Gidgi," " Gidgy," " Gidia,-' " Gidya." Originally spelt
jridgca," which is nearer to the aboriginal pronunciation, but the universal
enunciation now is " Gidgee."

aoo

Leaves. — Its evil-smelling foliage renders it oi little or no value to the
stock-owner, except perhaps for eamel-feed.

There is another Queensland Gidgee (Acacia Georgincc, Bail.), also with
,a disagreeable odour. So far as I know, these are the only two Gidgees.

The chief distinction between the two species is in the pods and seeds.
Timber. —

Hard, close-grained, often hiterlocked. of a dark reddish or almost black
colour. It is very durable, and Mr. R. H. Cambage records an instance of its
having been used as fence-posts for over thirty years. (R. T. Baker.)

It is much used for fencing posts, and lasts well ; also a first-class firewood,
being a good, if not better, than Mallee roots. The white ash is sometimes
used for whitewash. It also makes good picture-frames and walking-sticks,
especially if ringed. (R. J. Dalton, Wanaaring.)

In "western New South Wales the wood is considered very durable, and is,
'therefore, used for the lining of wells, but then it is said to give the water

a bad taste for several years. Perhaps this is owing to the presence of a
rsaponin. It has been stated that the wood has a bad smell like the foliage,

particularly when burned, but this is a mistake.

* The beautiful parallel markings often seen in this wood, which then takes
the name of '' Ringed Gidgee," are caused by a uniform wavy grain. This
form is very well known, and leads to its extensive use for small ornamental
articles, particularly stockwhip handles and walking sticks. Mr. E. H.
Cambage has some notes on Ringed Gidgee in the Proceedings of the
Linnean Society of New South Wales for 1902, p. 563.

Size. — A small or medium sized tree.

Habitat. — The interior of Australia generally. For example: In New
South Wales, Bourke, and Brewarrina. and beyond the Darling River;
iWestem Queensland; also the northern areas of South Australia.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 121.

A. Flowering branch.

B. Flower-head.

0. Individual bud.

D. Flower.

E. Flower, opened out, showing — (a) Calyx, (h) Corolla, (c)

Stamens, (d) Pistil,
p. Pod.
G. One valve of a pod showing seeds.

Acacia harpoahyHa, F.v.M.

The Brigalow.

Botanical Name. — Harpophylla, from two Greek words (Ji^atpa, a
^scimitar, and p]iu(y)llon, leaf, in allusion to the curved, scimitar-shaped,
leaves.

Vernacular Name. — The common " Brigalow," so called because it forms
;the scrubs of that name; the meaning of the word is unknown.

- It is a thoroughly well recognised vernacular name, but because I imagine
it is of aboriginal origin, a note will be found lander " Aboriginal Names."

F. Fl., pi. 121,

ACACIA CAMBAGEI, R. T. Baker. (Gidgee.)

101

Ahorifjinal Names!. — Tho commoii " Brigalov;." The word was spelt
■** Brigaloe " by Gould, and " Bricklow " by Leichhardt. The latter stated
he could not ascertain the meaninf? of the name. *' Orkor " of some
aborigines. (W. Hill in Cat. Queensland Timbers, No. 141, London Inter-
national Exhibition, 1862.) Hill gave the botanical name as A. exceUa,
,t)ut it is obvious, from his description, that this is a slip of the pen for
A. harpophylla. The mistake is, however, of some importance since it is
repeated in the " Treasury of Botany " and otlier works.

Leaves. — The scimitar-shaped leaves (phyllodes) of this species, with
their blue-grey, silvery sheen, present an appearance which is characteristic,
and which, once seen, is never forgotten.

The tree grows in almost impenetrable forests with open glades, in which
are some of the most beautiful landscape effects I have ever seen. For the
greater part of the year the foliage has a brilliant aluminium sheen, which,
added to the very symmetrical form of growth of the clumps and fringes of
the forest gives a very fine effect. (C. J. McMaster, Chairman, Western Lands
Board.)

Brigalow, the national scrub of Queensland, as it may be called, for it is
found there more largely than in any of the other colonies, can scarcely be
■called a fodder plant, for it is only eaten by stock under pressure of hunger,
nor will it of itself sustain life, although it may prolong it. It grows all over
the north of Queensland, both on the coastal and inland waters, and extends
west bejnid the boundary of the colony until it is supplanted by the mulga. It
Is generally, but not alw^-iys, accompanied by a low undergrowth of edible and
fattening plants and shrubs, including saltbush. Brigalow, like pine, evinces
a great facility for spreading and extending its area on the country being
stocked. The reason for this is hard to determine. Apparently there is no
more encouragement for it to grow after the settlement of the country than
■before. The eating down of the grass and consequent lessened fierceness of
the bush fires can have nothing to do with it, as brigalow, unlike pine, cannot
be destroyed by fire. {Sydney Mail, 1890.)

Brigalow is rung with a wide ring as it suckers from the roots. (Forester
Bishop Lyne, Narrabri.)

Fruits. — The pods were only described a few years ago, and the following
memorandum of the Chairman of the Western Lands Board will show that
it is not surprising that the fruits were not earlier described.

I have had a little experience in collecting and germinating Brigalow seed
In the Moree district. I am under the impression that the tree matures seeds
-only at long intervals, and the pods appear to hang until heavy rains fall,
-when they burst, and the soft seed falling germinates immediately. I have
"tried in a primitive way to germinate the dry seeds, but without success, but
the seeds collected and planted in the condition first above-mentioned grew
freely, and the j^oung plants have attained the height of fully 3 inches in as
many days after planting the seed. Once the seed becomes settled it seems
to grow slowly. I may mention that I was on the look out for Brigalow seeds
for about ten years l)efore I finally secured some, and, in reply to questions, I
was informed by people who had lived many years in the Brigalow country
that they had never seen any .seeds on the trees. This, of course, may have
been due to want of careful ol)servation. (C. J. McMaster.)

The pods drop off as soon as they are ripe, which was in November (1906).
They resemble snake beans in their green state, and when they ripen they
open, drop the seed out, and then fall off the tree. (J. F. Turner, Ellerslie,
Bnngonia, February, 1907.)

Bark. — This tree yields a considerable amount of tan-bark of inferior
■quality. A Queensland correspondent informs me that a sample analysed
in London gave 11-59 per cent, of tannic acid.

102

Timher. — Brown, hard, heavy, and elastic; used by the natives for spears,
boomerangs, and clubs. The wood splits freely, and is vised for fancy
turnery. Saplings used as stakes in vineyards have lasted twenty years or
more. It is used for rough building purposes.

A fairly large tree, with rousli bark, somewhat reseui1)ling that of Ironbark.
Leaves curved and tapering, having a silvery hue. Wood dark-brown, and'
also of a gi'ey colour, fragrant, close-grained, and bends well.

The timber is very heavy and dense, resembling Myall (Acacia pcndula; see
p. i)0), but without the pronounced scent peculiar to that timber. It is
tlifferent also from the Myall in being not so brittle, and it is the favourite
material used for stockwhip handles in the Moree district. I am satisfied that
the timber possesses commercial value, which is restricted, however, by the
fact that the trunk of the maured tree would average, say, 15 feet long and
8 inches diameter at each end.

The aborigines used it almost exclusively in that district in the construc-
tion of their fighting and hunting implements. (C. J. McMaster.)

Exudation. — An astringent gum of this species has been described, but
it has no commercial value.

• Size. — Usually it attains a height of 20 or 30 feet in New South Wales,
and 10 feet more in Queensland, but exceptionally a greater size.

Habitat. — Native of Central Queensland and New South Wales. It is
very gregarious and abundant, as has been already indicated. Someone has
called it the " national scrub " of Queensland. It forms very large scrubs
on inland downs country, and in some parts not far from the coast, such as
the Fassifern district. In the Narrabri district, Nev,'^ South Wales, it is
very abundant, and it extends more or less abundantly as far as the Darling
and beyond. It extends as far south as Coolabah and Marsden (the mast
southerly locality recorded).

New South Wales localities not previously specifically enumerated are
Tarcoon, Bourke District, Nyngan, Dubbo, plains near Baradine, Warrah,
Willow-tree, Scone, JVIoree, Warialda.

The trees attain a height of 20 to 30 feet, according to Mr. Cambage, and
cover about 5 acres, 3^ miles west of Marsden.

Half a mile from Scone, on the Gundy Eoad, there are thirteen trees 30-40
feet in height, and up to 2 feet through. Fine healthy trees now, but no
seedlings, as sheep eat them down. It is likely that when these trees die the
species will be exterminated in the district.

Mr. C. J. McMaster says : '' There are immense forests of matured Brigalaw
extending from about 20 or 30 miles north of Mioree far into Queensland."

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 129.

A. Flowering branch. Natural size.
H. Flower-head.
c. Young flower.

n. Flower, opened out. showing— (a) Calyx, (6) Corolla,,
(c) Stamens, (d) Pistil.

E. Pod (natural size) opened, showing seeds inside.

F. Seed.

The fruits from Ellerslie ; the remainder of specimens from Pilliga. \

F. Fl.. pi. 129.

ACACIA HARPOPHYLLA, F.v.M. (Brigalow.)

103

Acacia salicinaj Lindl.

The Cooba (and Umbrella Bush).

Botanical Name. — Salicina, Latin, salix, salicis, a Willow, and lience
** willow-like,*' but this name is most applicable to the variety varians.

Vernacular Name. — "Umbrella Bush."

'I'here are three more or less distinct forms of this species : —

(a) The noirmal form, which may be termed a big Umbrella Bush.
(&) Var. varians, Benth., a fair-sized tree.

(c) Var. Waycp, Maiden, Proc. Roy. Sac. 8. A., xxxii, 277 (1908), a
small Umbrella Bush, belonging to South Australia so far as is
known at present.

(a) Normal Form.

The type Avas collected 30th March, 1836, near Oxley and G. W. Evans'
marked tree on the Lachlan, New South Wales.

^horiginal Names. — " Muntharra," Lake Eyre natives eat seed (W. Bald-
win Spencer) ; " Wirrha," Cooper's Creek, near Lake Eyre (A. W. Howitt) ;
^'Kakooroo" or " Wurra " (Max Koch). ("Wurra" and "Wirrha" are
evidently the same word.) All the above in use in South Australia.

Leaves. — Tiiis is one of the species whose leaves are used to burn for the
ash which the aborigines mix with the Pituri, their masticatory.

Flowers. — Of a bright yellow colour, in contradistinction to the paler,
sparser flowers of var. varians.

Fniit. — The pods are fleshy.

Exudations. — ''We found a curious, willow-like Acacia, with the leaves
slightly covered with bloom, and sprinkled on the underside with numerous
reddish minute drops of resin" (Mitchell). This species also exudes a
soluble gum from the bark. The genus Acacia therefore produces both a
gum and a resin.

Size. — A tall shrub up to about 8 or 10 feet high, and very umbrageous.

Habitat. — Extensively diffused in the drier parts of the Australian States.

As regards New South Wales, the " Flora Australiensis " quotes it as on
the I^chlan, and thence to the Barrier Range, A. Cunningham, Mitchell,
Victorian Expedition, &e.', Liverpool Plains, Leichhardt.

To which may be added the following notes from specimens in the
National Herbarium, Sydney: —

New South Wales. — On red soil only, Bourke district. Grows about 8
feet high, with branches touching the ground and spread out like an um-
brella (A. W. Mullen) ; Paroo River (E. Betche).

(h) Variety varians, Benth.
This is a tree, and the only form which yields timber.

Verna-cular Names. — The " Cooba," or " Koobah," of the aborigines and
colonists of western New South Wales. " Native Willow " is another
name. Called " Broughton Willow " in South Australia. " Gurley or
Curley tree" of the Began, New South Wales (A. W. Mullen).

Ahoriginal Names. — Mitchell calls it " Goobang," perhaps really the same
as •'' Cooba," the modern name. About the Castlereagh River (New Sovith

Wales) it is one of the trees which takes the name of " Motherumba.''
"Bremgu" is the name at the Lakeliindmarsh aboriginal station (Vic-
toria). " Bakka " is a Queensland aboriginal name. " Ballcura " is a South
Australian name.

Leaves. — The leaves are eaten by stock. This is another tree which is-^
rapidly becoming scarce, owing to the partiality of stock to it.

Bark. — Mentioned by Sir T. Mitchell for poisoning the fish in small
lagoons, and Mr. BTill says that the natives of the Fitzroy River, Queens-
land, put it to a like purpose.

A sample from the Laehlan River, N.S.W., which had then been in the-
Technological Museum five years, is a good specimen of this bark, being
fairly smooth, close, compact, and containing comparatively little fibre.
It was analysed May, 1890, and found to contain 151 per cent, of tannic acid,.
and 32-75 per cent, of extract. This species is undoubtedly worthy of con-
servation, and even culture, in the dry interior where it is found, particu-
larly as the barks there are usually so poor in tannic acid. The blacks are
aware of the value of this tan-bark, as they use it for tanning wallaby and
other skins.

Timber. — Close-grained, tough, heavy, dark brown, and nicely marked.
The aborigines make boomerangs, and the colonists tables, chairs, and other
fumiture from it. {General RepoH, Sydney International Exhibition^
1879.) It is valued for bullock -yokes in western iS[ew South Wales, andt
also for shafts of carts. Mr. G. S. Home tells me that cheffoniers, and
other articles of drawing-room furniture, arc commonly made from it in
western New South Wales, as it takes such a high polish.

Eumung (Acacia salicina). This acacia is found in tlie interior of New
South Wales. It is similar in colour and texture to Blackwood (Acacia
melanoxylon) and makes a good club, although inclined to chip and fray.
(R. T. Baker.)

• Acacia stenophylla is also called " Eumung " or " Eumong."

Habitat. — It grows in the drier parts of the States. Following are some-
New South Wales specimens in the National Herbarium, Sydney: —

Another tree growing on the river flats (Laehlan River) is Acacia salicina,
Llndl. (Cooba or Native Willow). It has a diameter up to 2 feet, and is a
most useful timl^er, being in request for cabinet-making and certain wheel-
wrights' work. (R. H. Cambage.)

.Thackaringa (Acting Forester?); Bongbilla, Moulamein (T. Grieve).
Local name, " Willow."

This tree in favourable situations attains a height of oTiAO feet, and is the
largest and handsomest of our Acacias ; is usually regardeti as an indication of
water at a shallow depth ; wood remarkably light and tough. Ivanhoe, vid Hajr
(K. H. Bennett).

Palesthan, via Condobolin (Miss M. A. Clements) ; Lake Cudgellico (J. L,
Boorman) ; " Cooba." The most western limit in this part of the Central
Division is 26 miles east of Nyngan (E. F. Rogers, Forest Guard, Nyngan) ;
Marra Creek, via Coolabah (R. W. Peacock) ; Coolabah, large tree " Willow,"^
locally called ''Eumung" (J. L. Boorman).

A bushy tree about 20-30 feet high. Grows in swampy Box flats or on
river banks. Began River (A. W. Mullen) ; Brewarrina, Burren Junction
(J. L. Boorman).

Drooping branches, has appearance of Myall, Page River, 8 miles from
Scone (R. H. Cambage and J.H.M.) ; Minembah, Whittingham, near Single-
ton (Sylvester Browne); Denman (J.H.M. and J. L. Boorman); Denman.
Small tre3S, rather erect. No. 1,048 (R. H. Cambage).

F. Ft., pi. 149.

ACACIA SALICINA, Lindl., Var. VARIANS. (The Cooba.)

105

"Drooping foliage. Grows on ridge as well as in valley; some leaves
rather viscid. Attunga, 12 miles north-west of Tamworth. No. 656"
<R. 11. Cambage) ; Warialda, No. 11 (Rev. H. M. R. Rupp).

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 149.
Acacia salicina, Lindl. ; var. varians, Beuth.

A. Flowering twig.

B. Pod.

c. Portion of valve showing seed with folded funicle.

D. Seed (slightly niagiilfied) with funicle extended,

E. Broad phyllode from Coolabah.

F. Flower-head.

o. Individual bud.
H Flower.

/. Flower, opened out. showing — (a) Calyx. (&) Corolla, (c)
Stamens, ((f) Pistil.

Acacia aneura, F.v.M.

The Mllga.

Botanical Name. — Aneura, from two Greek words — a, not, and neuron, a
nerve — in allusion to the veins or nerves of the leaves (phyllodes), "with-
out conspicuous nerves, but finely and obscurely striate tinder a lens."

Vernacular Name. — " Mulga," the chief ingredient of Mulga scrub, so
■called from the Mulga, or long, narrow shield of wood made by the
aborigines out of Acacia wood.

Aboriginal Name. — " Mulkathandra " is the name given to the seeds by
the Dieyerie tribe, of Cooper's Creek, according to Gason. (Quoted by
13 rough Smyth, Ahoriginals of Victoria, i, 223.). " Malka " of certain Lake
Eyre tribes (Howitt and Siebert).

Leaves. — The leaves, or, rather, pliyllodia — for, in strictness, they are not
true leaves, but structurally expansions of the leaf-stalks — form excellent food
for stock; in fact, some people call the plant the "king of fodders," and it
has been so much appreciated that it is now scarce in many districts where
"it was oncp plentiful. Sometimes this plant is exempted in certain districts
from the operations of licenses to cut timber. It is a matter for regret that
so valuable a fodder plant should require to be cut for timber at all, and
it is to be hoped that increased vigilance will be shown on the part of
homestead lessees and others, in their owai interests, in conserving the
Mulga. Mulga should never be cut down, except when absolutely necessary
— it should only be pollarded or lopped; and if these operations be per-
formed by careful men no real harm to the tree will result. One reason
why the tree is becoming extinct in some areas is because the seedlings are
€aten out by stock. This is a matter for regret, and, of course, the only way
•of guarding against this is to protect as many of the seedlings as possible
until tjiey are able to take care of themselves. It does not appear to be
known to some dwellers of the more highly-favoured coast districts that in
some seasons in parts of the West there is practically no grass at any period
of the year, and that stock not only feed on scrub-plants such as the Mulga,
but actually thrive thereon.

Note that there is a normal or Broad-leaved Mulga, and a Narrow-leaved
Mulga, but that there is no botanical difference between them. At the same
time, recent investigation has shown that, particularly in Western Australia,
there are other Mulgas, recognised by other botanical names.

106

Following Is an interesting note on Mulga, from the Sydney Mail, in
1890, written by an author whose name I have lost: —

We now come to the edible scrubs, which often, of necessity, take their
place amongst the fodder plants of Australia. Amongst these, the most wide-
spread and perhaps the best known is the Mulga. On the southern flats of the
main inland rivers, Mulga grows as a low bushy tree, the branches commenc-
ing to spread some 6 feet from the ground. In the north, it grows with a tall
straight stem, 20 feet high, and is, therefore, quite unavailable as a foddei'
plant. On the west coast, and in the interior, it is a true scrub, attaining a
good height, but branching out only a foot or two from the ground. Both here
and on the lower courses of the rivei's, it grows in open forest ; to the north it is
a thick scrub almost too dense to ride through. It is not by any means a
barren scrub, good feed, both grass and herbage, being generally found within
its limits. As a rule, it is only available for cattle, although the species found
in Western Australia grows low enough for sheep to feed on. The utility of
horns to cattle when scrub-feeding is soon apparent. An old bullock will twist
down saplings and break down limbs of trees, and obtain a good meal where
a polled beast would go hungry. Mulga is likely to become an important
factor in the settlement of the interior, as it forms good fodder for camels,
and, as they are certainly to be the beasts of burden and draught over the
long dry stages of the heart of Australia, until superseded by steam and iron,
the universal presence of the ]Mulga will prove of some service. Mulga affects
all kinds of soil. It is to be found on hard, gravelly ironstone ridges, on the
dreaded sand-hills of the desert, and on the alluvial flats of the inland rivers.

In western ]^ew South Wales two kinds of galls are commonly found on
these trees. One kind is very plentiful, very astringent, and not used, but
the other, while less abundant, is larger, succulent, and edible. These latter
galls are called ''Mulga apples," and are said to be very welcome to tho
tiiirsty traveller.

General Eemarls on Mulga.

Mr. C. J. McMaster, Chairman of the Western Lands Board, has vepy
kindly furnished the following general remarks on Mulga: —

Mr. D. W. F. Hatton, Inspector of Stock, stationed at Bourke, who has had
many years practical experience in feeding stock upon Mulga, states : —

*' There are four dift'erent kinds of Mulga in the Bourke district. UmhrclUc
Mulga — so called because it somewhat resembles an open umbrella — grows on
hard, stony ground, and attains a height of about 10 feet ; it has a narrow leaf,
and is a good stock food. Broad-learcd Mulga thrives best in the deeper and
better soils in the valleys, between the stony ridges : it grows about 15 to 20
feet high, but as a fodder tree does not rank as high as the umbrella or the
yellow varieties. Black Mulga : The leaves are dark and narrow, and are shorter
than the other narrow-leaved kinds, being only about 2 inches in length. It
attains a height of from 1.^) to 20 feet. Yellow Mulga grows to about 20 feet
high, and prefers sandy, red-soil ridges ; it is considered one of the best of the
Mulgas for fodder purposes ; the leaf is comparatively broad, and has a yellow
tinge.

•' The leaves of all Mulgas are eaten by sheep and cattle, and the seeds,
particularly, are relished and are very fattening; but horses, unless bred in
Mulga country, do not take kindly to if

Mulga appears to be the most universally distributed fodder tree in the
arid parts of Australia, and during times of extreme drought the limbs (with
the exception of one or two of the leading ones) are cut off for the benefit of
the starving stock.

In former years Mulgas have been destroyed on thousands of acres of land,
because the jirecaution to leave at least one leading branch uncut was not
observed; but now that stock-owners realise that stock and rabbits eagerly
devoiu- young plants, and that, consequently, the supply of Mulga — the mainstay
in times of drought — depends upon the proper treatment of the existing jnatured
trees, they, as a rule, exercise the utmost care to conserve the trees as much
as possible.

If Mulga is cut off at the stump it will not throw out new growth. In this
respect it differs from nearly every other Western fodder-producing tree.

i

F. Fl.. pi. 99.

ACACIA ANEURA, F.v.M. (Mulga and Narrow-leaved Mulga.)

107

i^eeds. — The seotls were eaten by blacks, and continue to form part of the
food of some aborigines to this very day. I need scarcely say that they are
astringent, and that they yield only a small proportion of starchy matter.

Timber. — Excessively hard, dark brown, used by the aborigines for
Ixjomerangs, sticks to lift edible roots, shafts of spears, nulla-nnllas, and
jagged spear-ends (Mueller). It is highly irritating in flesh wounds. It
luakes excellent fencing posts, and in parts of western New South Wales
it is very plentiful, and much appreciated. It is often used for bullock-
yokes.

"In the absence of other timber. Mulga is now one of the principal trees
burnt for charcoal near Cobar." (Cambage.)

Exudafion. — The Mulga yields a small quantity of soluble gum, similar
in i)r6perties to that of good gum-arabic. It would be commercially valuable
if it were procurable in quantity.

Size. — Often a tall shrub or small tree, and rarely more than 25 feet in
height. It is often with a stem diameter of 9 to 12 inches.

JTahitat. — Western Australia, through the other mainland States to
Queensland. It is a native of the drier western parts of Xew South Wales.
Its precise eastern boundaries are not yet defined.

Localities and collectoi's of some New South Wales specimens in the
ISTational Herbarium, Sydney, are : —

Broken Hill (A. C. Loder) ; Paldrumatta Bore and Mount Browne (P.
C'orbett) ; Mount Hope (J. L. Boorman) ; near Cobar (J. V. d'Apice), both
broad and narrow leaf; North Bourke (A. Murphy); Pera Bore (W. W.
Froggatt) ; Tarcoon (J. L. Boorman) ; Byrock (H. Deane) ; Coolabah CE.
W. Peacock) ; Nyngan (E. E. Rogers).

" TJp to a height of 25 feet. Wood very hard, and used greatly by natives
for weapons, ko. Capable' of high polish.'' — Ivanhoe, via Hay (K. H.
Bennett).

EXPLAXATION OF PLATE 90.

A. Flowering twig of the broad-leaved form.

B. Spike of flower-buds.
c. Individual bud.

D. Flower.

E. Flower, opened out. showing — («) Calj-x, (h) Corolla,

(c) Stamens, {d) Pistil.

F. Seed, attached to the pod by a white arillus.

G. Pods.

H. Flowering twig of the narrow-leaved form.

Acacicb Cunninghamiij Hook.
The "Bastard Mvall " or " Kurracabaii."

Botanical Name." — Cunninghamii, in honour of Allan Cunningham,
King's Botanist, who arrived in Sydney in the year 1816, and who was the
Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney (1837-1839). He was an
admirable botanist and a distinguished explorer, one of his feats bciiig the
discovery of the Darling Downs, Queensland.

Vernacular Name.— It is sometimes known as "Bastard Myall,'' and less
frequently as " Black Wattle."

A horiginal Names. — At Narrabri, New South Wales, it bears the name of
*' Kurracabah." I am not certain whether the name is exclusively held by
this species. It is also called by the name " Motherumbah " (of whicli

108

" Motherumbuaig " is a variant), but I have received at least two other
wattles under that name. " KowarkuU " is a Queensland aboriginal name
(Stradbroke Island, Watkins), and " Tchilgar " is the Bundaberg (Queens-
land) name, according to Keys, quoted by Bailey.

Fruit. — ^Dr. T. L. Bancroft says that the green pods of this plant are-
rich in saponin. Dr. Lauterer draws further attention to saponin in this,
plant. He found 3 per cent, of saponin in the unripe pods, and gives an
instance of supposed sandy blight in a woodcutter, which he traced to the
eyes having been rubbed by the hands on which was some juice of the pods
of this species. Saponins are poisonous, and hence this wattle should be
viewed with suspicion as a fodder when in pod. For an account of saponins
see my " Forest Flora of New South Wales," Part VI, p 55.

Baric. — A specimen of this bark received from Dr. T. L. B^croft, of
Brisbane, and obtained from Deception Bay, gave 12-32 per cent, of tannic
acid and 26-95 per cent, of extract. It is known locally as " Black Wattle."
It is from a tree 30 feet in height and 1 foot in diameter, stripped in May,,
analysed in July. Dr. Bancroft says : " This is the only tanning wattle
which grows near Brisbane in any great abundance."

The inner bark consists largely of fibre, while the outer is furrowed and
scaly, of dark-brown colour; the thickness of the bark analysed averaged
A inch under the outer scaly portion. The colour is dark-reddish brown,
and altogether it looks a poor tan-bark. As a rule this tree carries a
heavyish bark.

Timber. — Wood close-grained, and takes a good polish. It is dark-
coloured and heavy, and a useful, wood for cabinet purposes. It reminds
one very much of Eed Cedar, but it is heavier. It is very homogeneous. A
slab of this wood in the Technological Museum, which had been seasoned
over twenty-five years (having been exhibited at the London Exhibition of
1862), had a weight which corresponds to 46 lb. 12 oz. per cubic foot.

Exudations. — Dr. T. L. Bancroft states that, in Queensland, gum of this
species makes a good adhesive mucilage; it is, however, dark in colour.

Size. — None of the trees I have seen have exceeded 25 or 30 feet in height,
vi'Ith a trunk diameter of 9 inches or 12 inches, but the size of the trees
referred to by Mr. Charles Moore (1862 Exhibition) is much greater.

Habitat. — This is a widely diffused species, but its range requires much
more investigation yet. It is common in Queensland and New South
Wales, and Prof. Baldwin Spencer collected it at Hanson's Wells in Central
Australia.

Its range in Quensland is very extensive, both coastally and further west.

In New South Wales the following localities of specimens in the National
Herbarium, Sydney, will give a goo'd idea of its range in this State: —
Myrtle Creek, Eichmond Eiver; Woodburn, Eichmond Eiver, Evans Eiver,
30^0 feet, Lawrence to Casino, Hastings Eiver; 6-10 fefet, " Kurracabah 'T
or " Motherumba," Narrabri; Owen's Gap, Scone; Goulburn Eiver; Denman;
Saekville Eeach, Hawkesbury Eiver.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 137.

A. Flowering twig. i

B. Flower bud.
c. Flower.

D. Flower, opened out, showing — (a) Calyx, (6) Corolla,

(c) Stamens, (d) Pistil.

E. Pod.

F. Seed.

F. Fl.. pi. 137.

ACACIA CUNNINGHAMII, Hook. (Bastard Myall or Kurracabah.)

109

EASTERN NEW SOUTH WALES WATTLES.

1. Acacia pycnantha (Broad-leaved or Tanning Wattle).

2. Acacia penninervis (Mountain Hickory).

3. Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood).

4. Acacia hinervata (Two-veined Hickory).

5. Acacia dectirrens (Black, Green, and Silver Wattle).

6. Acacia Baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle).

Acacia pycnantha, Bentli.

The Broad^leaved Wattle.

Botanical Name. — Pycnantha, from two Greek words, pyTcnos, dense, and
anthos, a flower; hence dense-flowered.

Vernacular Names. — The "Broad-leaved Wattle" of South Australia;
called also " Golden, Black, or Green Wattle." The term " Broad-leaved "
is as good as any, the names " Golden," " Black," and " Green " being
applied to quite a number of other Wattles.

I have heard it occasionally called '* Plum-coloured Wattle," owing to
the dark cast of the foliage at certain seasons.

Flowers. — It is a very handsome species, with its large deep-yellow
flowers, abundantly produced, and full of perfume. The stout pedicels and
petioles appear to be characteristic of the species.

An extract of the flowers of this Wattle was shown as a perfume at the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886.

A score of other species of Acacia, e.g., A. suaveolens, might be selected
as worthy of experiment as perfume plants. *' Mutton fat being cheap, and
the Wattle plentiful, a profitable trade may be anticipated in curing the
flowers, &c." (Piesse, Art of Perfumery.)

On the other hand we have : —

All my experiments have proved that the perfume of Wattle-blossoms is
very evanescent, and Is stronger about mid-day than at any other time.
(Evidence of Mr. Bosisto before Victorian Royal Commission on vegetable
products.)

Baric. — One of the richest tanning barks in the world; a richer may
exist, but I do not know of it. A sample of this bark was received by me
in 1883 from Messrs. P. Pflaum & Co., of Blumberg, South Australia, with!
the note, " contains 33-5 per cent, of tannin, according to Mr. Thomas^ of
Adelaide." I analysed the sample in April, 1890, and obtained the following
extraordinary result by Lowenthal's improved process — ^the process I always
adopted, viz. : —

Tannic acid . . . . . . . . 46-47 per cent.

Extract . . . . 74-7 per cent.

This had been stored seven years in the Museum, and had doubtless •
increased in percentage of tannic acid during that period. Nevertheless
it was the grandest specimen of wattle-bark I ever examined. It was

I

110

MTiooth, a model of compactness, contained a minimum of fibre, and
.therefore powdered splendidly, Avas of good colour, and an excellent bark in
every way. South Australia had practically the monopoly of this bark, and
it is a gi-and heritage, — the envy of the Eastern States.

Timber. — It is of no importance as a timber. After the bark is stripped,
the wood is sometimes used for fuel, for which it is excellent.

Size. — Average height of typical form, 20 to 25 feet ; and diameter, 6 to 10
inches. (Brown.)

Habitat^— It is confined to South Australia, Victoria, and New South
/Wales. In our own State it is confined to country, so far as is known,
adjacent to Victoria and South Australia. It is only, as regards New
♦South Wales, represented in the National Herbarium, Sydney, from Tocum-
.vral and from the south-east coast. We look upon this species as so essen-
tially South Australian that we often forget that the type comies from
-^anterior of N.S. Wales" (Mitchell).

•This Wattle has been acclimatised in many districts of New vSouth Wales,
£0 much so that it is often looked upon as indigenous in localities in which
it has been planted.

It is so valuable that it should be still further cultivated in localities
approximating in conditions to those of the Mount Lofty Eange near
Adelaide. The day is past when theorists may allege that it will not
"flourish in the Port Jackson district.

I have seen excellent specimens growing as far west as Coolabah, near
-Bourke. It is handsome enough to grow for purely ornamental purposes.

It should supplement Acacia decxirrens, our most generally diffused and
most generally useful tanning Wattle for New South Wales conditions.

Mr. J. E. Brown, when in South Australia, cultivated this species very^f
largely in districts found suitable for it, and his general remarks on
iWattle ciiltivation were chiefly written with this species in view.

Except in very dry localities, this species is common to nearly all districts
oi South Australia north of Encounter Bay, and is occasionally to be met with
aloug the coast from Kingston to tlie Glenelg River. Its principal habitat,
however, and the one where the thoroughly typical botanical form and the
largest trees of the species are found, is in the Adelaide hills and plains, from
Encounter Bay to Clare. For i)ropagation purjwses seed should, if possible,
t)e obtained from trees grown within these limits. In some parts of the north
of the colony there is a narrow-leaved variety, with the stem and branches
•covered with a whitish substance, which is desirable should not be propagated,
5*s the tree is of slow growth, and does not attain payable dimensions. (J. E.
Brown. Reports.)

Baron von Mueller {Select Extra-Tropical Plants) says : —

It is of rapid growth, content with almost any soil, but is generally found
;5n poor, sandy ground, near the sea coast, and thus also important for binding
rolling sand.

Generally speaking, it loves a warm climate, with only a moderate rainfall.
It, therefore, will not usually flourish at elevations over 2,000 feet.

Propagation. — Readily from seed.

Mr. G. S. Perrin sumn;arises the advantages of this species over A.
'decurren^s by stating that the former species is more amenable to culture,
and can be pruned to a better shape, occupies less space in the plantation,
jKiid is much beter stripped.

F. Fl., pi. 107.

ACACiA PYCNANTHA, Benth. (Broad-leaved Wattle.)

Ill

So-called delicate plants, such as this species, may be successfully grown'
in rather cold districts, e.g.. Blue Mountains, Moss Vale, &c.,'in N'ew South!
iWales, by taking advantage of a fact well known to gardeners, namely, they,
should be planted with a westerly aspect, so that the sun will not shine tja
them too early after a severe frost.

Mr. Brown gives the life of this tree at from ten to twelve years, and
states that it may be stripped from the sixth to the ninth year, according
to circumstances. It lives longer in sandy soils than in clay ones,

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 107.

A. PMowevinjr branch.

B. ludividual bud.
o. I'^'lower-head.

R. Flower.

K. Flower, opened out, showing — (o) Calyx, {h) Corolla,

(c) Stameu.s, (rf) Pistil.
F. Pods.
«. Seed.

Acacia penninervls, Sieb.
The Mount.\in Hickory.

Botanical Name. — Penninervis, from two Latin words — penna (a feather)^
nervus (a nerve, or, in botany, " a vein")* So that penninerved means that
the phyllodes ('' leaves ") have their venation arranged after the fashion of a'
pinnae of a feather.

Vernacular Names. — Usually called " Hickory," or " Mountain Hickory."*
Occasionally called " Black Wattle," e.g., Blue Mountains.

Unfortunately there are several so-called Hickories in this State, and,
therefore, care is necessary to indicate' the right one. Amongst those whichji
are known as Hickory in different places are Acacia hinervaia (another ofi
the Black "Wattles), and even the Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) and tho
closely-allied Acacia implexa.

Synonyms. —

1. Acacia penninervis, Sieb. The normal form, usually a shrub, and

of no economic importance.

2. Variety falciformis, Benth. (the Tanning Wattle). Often a big

tree.

Leaves. — It is worthy of note that in some districts in which Mountain
Hickory occurs the bark has never been stripped and tried, for the rea-soti
that people do not look upon it as a Wattle, imagining it to be a Gum-tree
because of the appearance of its leaves (phyllodes) ! This state of things
is passing away, as the bark is now becoming appreciated in certain quarters,
to my personal knowledge, and it is only another instance of the unknown
wealth waiting to be known, and therefore utilised.

My readers will observe from the plates how variable in size and contour,
are the leaves (phyllodia) of the Mountain Hickory. It is, in fact, a veiy
variable species, but it may be usually known by m<'ans of the thickened
dot or gland which is found a little distance along the rim (or marginal
vein) of the leaf, and from which another vein extends, in a curved manner,
to the leaf-stalk. A small leaf-shaped, enclosure, varying in size, is thus
partitioned off out of the area of the leaf itself.

112

Baric. — The greater amount of wattle-bark used bj' Australian tanners,
•or exported from our shores, is the produce of two species of Acacia —
.namely, Acacia decurrens (and its varieties) and Acacia pycnantha. There
is another Wattle of surpassing excellence, that of Acacia penninervis,
variety falciformis, worthy to be mentioned in comparison with these two.
Some years ago I examined a wattle-bark from the extreme south of this
State, quite different in appearance fronr the smooth barks which are
usually associated in Australia with high percentage of tannin. To my
surprise I found it to contain 34 per cent, of tannic acid. I repeated the
experiments with fresh samples, but the results never varied 1 per cent,
altogether. In other words, this bark contains one-third of its weight of
tannic acid, calculated on the dry bark. Many communications have
reached me, particularly from Queensland, in regard to this matter, and
the subject is of commercial importance to our State.

I proceed to give a number of analyses of representative samples of this
bark from different places in New South Wales. I have already alluded
to one bark which gave 34 per cent, of tannic acid; it also yielded 55-2 per
cent, of extract, and came from Brown's Camp, near Delegate. I have not
come across a finer sample of this bark, though there is much of equal
quality. The mature trees which yielded this excellent result must have
each contained half a ton of bark.

Bark from Mount Dromedary, strippedi in December, gave 32-25 per cent,
of tannic acid and 53- 15 of extract. A sample grown at Mount Victoria
(Blue Mountains), stripped in June, gave 2903 per cent, of tannic acid, and
57-25 per cent, of extract. Height of the tree, 40 feet; diameter of stem,
6 inches. Bark from Rylstone (Mudgee Line), stripped in December from
young (immature) trees, yielded 25-25 per cent, of tannic acid, and 42-45 per
cent, of extract. All the above are from the " broad-leaved " or typical
kind.

Timber. — This wood does not appear to have come into general \;se; but
an expert in the Bombala district considers it excellent, being very durable
and very tough, on which account he prefers it to anything else for axe and
tool handles. It is said that the timber can almost be bent double upon
itself. Trees obtained from high, stony ridges are usually sound, and not
attacked by grubs. The above remarks apply to those grown in such a
situation.

Timber examined by me was flesh-coloured, very little sap-wood, and a
good, tough timber. Nevertheless, it is inferior to other timbers abundantly
available in the places in which it grows.

■ Size. — The typical form is usually a shrub or small tree. The variety
falciformis, on the eastern mountain slope and ranges, attains a good height
(20 to 40 feet), with a diameter up to 18 inches. Trees a foot in diameter
are common. It is found a good size along the strip of forest land fringing
the plains of the Monaro. The largest trees appear to occur in the mountain
ranges, near Delegate, which form the southern boundary of the Monaro,
where, for instance, near Brown's Camp (the locality from which I first
obtained the samples which enabled me to draw attention to the extra-
ordinary value of this bark), the trees attain a height of from 40 feet to
80 feet, and a diameter up to 2 J feet, while trees of a diameter of 18 inches
to 24 inches are not scarce in the locality.

' Hahitat.— The typical form is recorded in the "Flora Australiensis '*
from Queensland, northern Victoria, southern Tasmania, and from the
following New South Wales localities :— -Blue Mountains (Sieber n. 458 and

113

others), and inland to the Macquarie (A. Cunningham, Fraser) ; northward
to Hastings Kiver (Beckler) ; and southward to Twofold Bay (F. Mueller). •
Following are some New South Wales localities represented in the
National Herbarium, Sydney, for the normal form: —

V Shrubs of 3 and 4 feet. — Foot of Big Jack Mountain, Bombala district;
^' Black Wattle," Weddin, Grenfell, and county of Ashburnham generally.

Eylstone district; Cow Flat, 11 miles south of Bathurst; Parkes Water
.Supply; Bushrangers' Rocks, Eugowra; Wellington; Minore, Dubbo; Har-
vey Eange.

Tamworth; Tingha; Moona Plains, Walcha; Howell, Warialda, and Em-
■jnaville. Phyllodes very attenuate at the base in these two localities.

It is a small tree about Brisbane.

Now we come to the variety falciformis, the tree which is of such import-
ance for its tanning bark.

As regards the occurrence of the Mountain Hickory in Victoria, Baron
von Mueller speaks of it as scattered through the eastern half of the State,
over ridges and ranges, gregarious on some of the sub-alpine declivities and
plateaux.

New South Wales seems to be the natural home of the tree. In our State
it extends from south to north, in the eastern half, on the southern ranges,
the Dividing Range and its spurs, and the New England district.
- While this species is so abimdant and so extensively distributed, it would
appear that only bark from the colder parts of New South Wales is of any
great commercial value, and I therefore give part^culars of such localities
in a little more detail.

It is found from the Clyde and Bateman's Bay district, all along the
coast land, right down south to the boundary of Victoria.

Nelligen, Moriiya, Araluen, Tilba, Cobargo, Colombo, Bega, Candelo,
Bombala, Delegate, and the Twofold Bay district are good localities.
. It is less common in New England, but employed in the Mudgee, Tam-
worth, and other districts for tanning.

The following notes from a southern correspondent, who forwarded me
]?ome barks, include some additional localities: —

" No. 1. Local name Hickory or Black Wattle, taken from a tree 40 feet
in height, 16 inches in diameter, growing plentifully on ridges and high
lands in the parishes of Wagonga, Noorooma, Tilba, Bodalla, and neigh-
bourhood, county of Dampier, for miles round the base of Mount Drome-
dary; soil generally light on slate formation.

"No. 2. Local name Broad-leaved Hickory, though not so plentiful as
No. 1, yet in abundance, more particularly about Milton, Bermagui, Tilba
Tilba, Reedy Creek, Cobargo, and along Tuross River. It is not uncommon
to see trees 2 feet in diameter; that from which No. 2 specimen was taken
measured 20 feet in height and 12 inches in diameter."

If possible, no tree under a foot in diameter should be stripped ; immature
trees give little bark, which contains comparatively little tannic acid. To
strip Mountain Hickory saplings is simply killing the goose with the golden
•eggs. It is not surprising that so large a tree yields rather a thick bark.
A certain specimen is over five-eighths of an inch thick, is rugged, something
like an ironbark, only more stringy.

Some of the localities represented in the National Herbarium, Sydney,
are as follows.

114

Victoria.
Mount St. Bernard and Mount Hotham, both in the Victorian Alps.

New South Wales.

Southern Localities. — Thredbo Kiver and Mount Kosciusko up to 6,500
feet; Mount Imlay, Twofold Bay, and Eden to Pambula; Nimitybelle to
Tantawanglo Mountain; Barber's Creek; Hill Top; Menangle.

Western Localities. — Mount Victoria; abundant, Mount Victoria to
Jenolan Caves; Bowenfels Churchyard, a tree 2 feet in diameter; Jenolan
Caves; Sunny Corner; Rylstoue district and Bylong Creek; sometimes
called " Tanning Gum " in Bathvirst district. The phyllodes are looked'
upon as " gum leaves."

Northern Localities. — ISieav Copeland.

" Hickory it is always called in New England. I have stripped trees over
2 feet in diameter, and 50 feet of bark, and weighing over 8 cwt. It also
grows on the main Liverpool Range. The trees from which we get the bark
grow mostly on spurs off the main range both east and west. I have seen
the same kind of bark used in Bathurst, and which I was told was got from
towards Mudgee. We have been vising the bark twenty-three years, and
like it for dressing leather better than any other. As I told you, the tree
blossoms early in November. — ^W. J. Smith (The Tannery, Tamworth, 1890)-,

" The Broad-leaved Hickory grows all over this (Glen Innes) and Ten-
terfield districts, but very scattered with few exceptions, those being princi-
pally on Pastoral Holdings Rivertree, Koreelah, Oakwood, Morven, and
Sandy Hills. Although it is stripped when it is in full blossom, it retains
enough sap in the limbs for the seeds to properly ripen" (Forester Powell).
Mount Mitchell, 5,000 feet; a New England locality quoted for var. falci-
formis, by Bentham; Guy Fawkes and Round Mountain. Forming dense
belts of a scrubby growth up to 8 or 10 feet high in various localities about
Guy Fawkes, and up to within a very few feet of the very top of the Round
Mountain. Young shoots and inflorescence minutely hoary or golden-
pubescent, phyllodia falcate, but rather small at the highest elevations.

Tenterfield to Sandy Flat.

Mr. R. T. Baker gives the following localities: — Murrumbo; Byloug-
Creek; Gulf Road; Church Mount, Reed Creek, Rylstoue, all in the Rylstono
district.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 91.

Acacia pcnninervis, Sieb.

A. Flowering spray from type.

B. Flowering branch, Rylstoue district,
c. Ripe pods.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 92.

Acacia pcnninervis, Sieb. var. falciformis, Benth.
(The Taiming form of the si^ecies.)

A. Twig, from the Blue Mountains.

B. Flower-head.
c. Flower-bud.

D. Flower.

E. Flower opened out, showing.

F. Pod.

F. Fl., pi. 91.

ACACIA PENNINERVIS, Sieb., (The Mountain Hickory.)

F. Fl., pi. 92.

ACACIA PENNINERVIS, Sieb., and Var. FALCIFORMIS, Benth.
(The Mountain Hickory.)

115

Acacia melanoxylon, E-.Br.
The Blackwood,

Botanical Name. — Melanoxylon; this is from two Greek words signifyiiie
*' black wood," and Robert Brown, the botanist, who adopted this designa-
tion, simply translated the commonly accepted Australian name.

Vernacular Names. — It is called " Blackwood " on account of the very
dark colour of the mature wood. In Captain P. P. King's work, Allan
Cunningham refers to it as the " Black-hearted Wattle " or " Native Ash."'
It is also called " Lightwood " in Tasmania, Victoria, and southern New
South Wales; but the origin of the term, even amongst many people who
use it, is not always clear. An explanation often given is that since the
great majority of the useful timbers of Australia and Tasmania are heavy,
the name is simply to draw attention to its comparative weight. This
explanation is, however, untenable. The Blackwood has rather a wide
sapwood, up to 4 inches, and this is very light in colour, — almo:5t white ; so
that, on removing the bark from a blackwood, a man would at once come
across this very light-coloured wood, hence the name "Lightwood;" and
this is how a good many people explain it. I think, however, the explanation
simply is that pale-coloured Blackwood is called Lightwood. A Blackv/ood
which has grown rapidly has often timber paler in colour, and more porous
than the standard Blackwood, and would be called Lightwood. Anyhow, the
fact remains that Blackwood and Lightwood are absolutely identical from
a botanical standpoint, and differ only on account of differences in soil
and climate. While on the subject of the pale sapwood, Mr. Bauerlen
informed me that, years ago, an old man in the Braidwood district di.^played
great skill in cutting it into very thin strips, which he used to fashion into
baskets of various kinds, and these had a ready sale. The old man':? knife
•was made of hoop-iron, and no one seemed able to irnitat?"" him in making
such excellent basket material. North of the Clyde River, people are
ignorant of the identity of the tree with the Blackwood of Tasmajiia and
.Victoria, and hence do not employ that term to designate it.

Aboriginal Name. — " Mudgerabah " is an old aboriginal name in northern
New South Wales, and is the name by which the tree is goncvally known,
at the present day, in New England and lower plateaux.

Baric. — The bark has usually gone to waste after the wood has been
obtained from the logs. Baron von Mueller says: — The bark is, however,
rich in tannic acid, and ought not to be left unutilised, though no trees of
this species should be sacrificed for their bark alone." Tliis may be true as
regards Victorian trees; but I have not seen any New South Wales Black-
wood barks of much value. One from an oldish tree from Monga, near
Braidwood, yielded 1112 per cent, of tannic acid, and 20-63 per cent, of
extract. This is the only specimen I have subjected to chemical analysis;
but I have roughly tested other barks of the same species, and am inclined
to think that Blackwood bark is very inferior for the purposes of the tanner.
The bark contains some saponin.

Timber. — This is considered by some people to be the most valuable of
Australian timbers. Perhaps this is a bold claim to make, bearing in mind
the high merits of such timbers as Ironbark and Red Cedar; but it is
undoubtedly a timber of the highest class, happily combining an ornamental
character with great strength. It is hard and close-grained, and is much
valued for furniture, billiard-tables, cabinet-work, picture-frames, gun-
stocks, walking-sticks, crutches, tool-handles, railway and other carriages,
boat-building (stem and stern-posts, ribs, rudder), naves of wheels, parts of

116

organs, pianofortes (sound-boards and actions), and many other purposes
too numerous to individualise. It is a most useful timber for coach-
builders, in the bent timber branch. It bends well, and with proper treat-
ment froni the felling and sawing of the lumber, it substitutes perfectly for
the bent timber in, say, an Austrian chair, and would look as well, and feel ■
as light. For narrow boards it is used in the coach-building trade in
Sydney in place .of American Wahiut, and it is taken for that timber when
polished. It would last indefinitely in dry situations. It is reaUy valuable
for panelling, and perhaps framing. Blackwood is strikingly like American
Walnut in most respects, — in fact, the former is probably often substituted
for the latter without the purchaser being any the wiser, the incentive being
that Walnut brings about four times the price in the Sydney market. If
Blackwood be treated with lime-water or potash, the deception will be com-
plete. Blackwood is pushing itself forward on its own merits, but it has to
fight against a good deal of the prejudice which is shown to Australian
timbers, largely caused by unseasoned timber having so often been supplied.
It requires fair play in the matter of seasoning, and will well repay any
reasonable care expended on it. The similarities of Walnut and Blackwood
are not confined to outward appearance, for their properties appear much
the same, hence a knowledge of the many^ses to which the former timber
is put is useful as a guide to the capabilities of our Blackwood. A good
deal of it possesses a " broken grain " and satiny lustre which are exceedingly
ornamental. Nothing, in my opinion, resembles the figure of picked samples
so strongly as the South African mineral crocidolite, which, as is well
known, has a characteristic and beautiful appearance. The figured wood
is cut into veneers. It takes a fine polish. A drawback to this valuable
timber is that it does not take the glue as well as many others. Rosewood
behaves similarly to glue ; I do not know the reason of this ; it may be from
the presence of oil cells. It was largely used for oil casks, chiefly for the
Hobart whaling trade. The Lightwood was chiefly used for this purpose.

I quote descriptions of Tasmanian wood by Mr. Allen Ransome, as, since
we look forward to an increasing trade in Australian timbers with the United
Kingdom and the continent of Europe, a report by a well-known English
expert has peculiar value : —

Blackwood. — A sound, mild- working timber of a brownish colour, closely
striped with streaks of various shades of reddish-brown, and frequently
crossed by diagonal marks of a light golden colour. The more ornamental,
logs of this wood are exceedingly beautiful, and should fetch a high price in
this (London) market, where they could be used to advantage in place of the
best Honduras Mahogany, while the less ornamental logs would serve for a
higher class of joinery work, such as counter and shop fittings. The younger
growth is well suited for cooperage work, and a barrel made from one of the
pieces submitted for trial, before being artificially seasoned, is still quite
tight, and shows no sign of shrinkage.

Lightwood. — This is an inferior description of Blackwood, from which it
differs mainly in being of a lighter colour, and having a somewhat more open
grain. Although it will not compete with the Blackwood for highly orna-
mental cabinet work, it can be used in the place of cheap Mahogany for ward-
robe backs and other similar work.

It will be observed that most of the reports on the utility of this timber
refer to Tasmanian and Victorian wood. This is because the occurrence of
Blackwood in New South Wales is known#to very few people, whereas, as is
stated in the proper place, it is very widely distributed in this State,,
although usually looked upon as some other timber.

StiU, in the southern districts, it is worked up to some extent, and it only
requires that our people shall be informed that they have growing near

117

them the true Blackwood for them to use it a good deal more. Years ago
Mr. Bauerlen told me of a Braidwood tradesman who made, for many years,
articles of local Blackwood. His work had a deservedly good reputation,.
and a skilled workman does not make chests of drawers, secretaires, plate-
chests, out of a timber of whose value he has any doubt. I know of another
tradesman at Delegate who used to make beautiful gun-stocks of it. The
price he got for his gun-stocks is so high that I am afraid to mention it, as
everybody may turn to gun-stock making. Another tradesman uses it for
buggy naves. He, from time to time, used to go out and cut down a fair-
sized tree, let it season outside in the log, and cut length by length oif as
he wanted it.

The manufacture of gun-stocks from this timber is a very old industry,
particularly in Tasmania. I find that, in the season 1844-5, 430 gun-stocks
were exported from Launceston to Great Britain.

Size. — In the southern mountain districts there are many trees 70 or 80
feet in height, with a stem diameter of 2 or 3 feet. The Mudgerabah, which
may be taken as a type of the northern New South Wales form, is usually
40 to 50 feet high, and also has a diameter of 2 or 3 feet. In Tasmania and
Victoria it is as large and larger than those of the southern mountain dis-
tricts of New South Wales.

Distribution. — The Blackwood is best known as a Tasmanian and Vic-
torian tree. It also occurs in South Australia. It is extensively distributed
in the southern mountainous districts of New South Wales. It then seems
to skip over the immediate neighbourhood of Sydney, but reappears in the
rising country at the back of Port Stephens, and is extensively distributed
in the tableland of New England, extending into Queensland. Fj*om Port
Stephens to Queensland it is frequently found wherever the elevation is not
less than 2,500 feet. What its precise western boundary is we do not know at
present ; but I have seen it from Tenterfield, Glen Innes, and near Armidale.
It is by no means rare on the western slopes of the Blue Mountains, not on
the sandstone; but on the granite, following up the granite gullies where
there is a little seepage. It occurs abundantly in the Mudgee district. As
far as southern New South Wales and Gippsland are concerned, the Black-
wood must be considered as a mountain species, though it occurs occasionally
in the low coast land; but there it never attains any size. It varies a good
deal in mode of growth, according to situation and geological formation.
In the rich humus of the jungle of the mountain slopes it attains a height of
from 60 to 80 feet, and in Gippsland, along the boundary of New South
Wales and Victoria, localities may be found where it attains a height of
120 feet, and a diameter of nearly 3 feet. There straight trunks may be
seen without a limb, from 60 to 80 feet high, the timber quite sound, and
possessing that beautiful dark colour whence the species has derived its
popular as well as its scientific name. When it grows on high mountains,
as on the Delegate and Tingiringi Mountains, amongst rocks and preci-
pices, it grows very gnarled and spreading, from 20 to 40 feet high, and
from 1 to 2 feet in diameter, sending out thick, long, gnarled, and crooked
limbs quite close to the ground. Mr. W. Bauerlen tells me that on the
Delegate Mountain he has seen, them as low as 1 foot from the ground, with
the limbs of great length, and eventually touching the ground. Those trees
furnish most beautiful timber as far as grain and figure are concerned ; but
generally not quite so dark as the timber growing in the rich soil; but the
situations are mostly inaccessible to vehicles of any kind. As regards the
southern part of the State, the Clyde Mountains, Braidwood, and the Bate-
man's Bay district, may be considered the most northern localities in New

118

South Wales for Blackwood of commercial sizes. From thence it can be
obtained all along- the coast range right down to the southern boundary,
where, as has been already stated, it attains its greatest luxuriance in the
brush country, in common with Sassafras, Musk, and other well-known
plants. On the mountains east of Bombala, Nimitybelle, and Cooma, but
yet on the high tableland, there is a belt of forest fringing the Monaro
Plains. This forest, where it is intersected by its numerous creeks, valleys,
and gullies, should furnish a plentiful supply of Blackwood. It has been
but imperfectly prospected for that valuable timber, yet plenty of trees
2 feet or more in diameter have been seen with trunks furnishing logs from
20 to 40 feet in length. This is a favourable locality, since carriers go from
thence to the Cooma railway station on the west side, and to the seaports of
Merimbula and Twofold Bay on the other. The eastern mountain slopes
near Candelo, Colombo, Bega, Cobargo, Tilba Tilba (Dromedary), and
Moruya, contain also a large supply of this timber.

For the sake of clearness it may be stated that the Blackwood is abundant
on the tableland, and on the edges and slopes of the tableland in such
southern localities as far north as Barrengarry Mountain and the Kangaroo
Valley generally, Cambewarra Mountain, the Berry Mountain, Robertson,
and the Macquarie Pass. What its most northerly locality is south of
Sydney I do not know, but as the species approaches Sydney it generally
diminishes in size. $

Xorth of Port Jackson I have it from Gentleman's Halt, Hawkesbury
Kiver (A. Murphy).

The Mudgerahah as a Shelter Tree. — The traveller in Xcw England
cannot fail to notice a symmetrical, umbrageous tree, usually some 40 or 50
feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 2 or 3 feet, and with a great spread
of leafy branches. It has a rough bark, and its leaves remind some country
people of " some sort of gum-tree." When in flower or seed it will be
noticed to be a wattle. It is found a few miles from the coast, at an eleva-
tion of about 2,500 feet above sea-level, and I noticed it all over the New
England country, even at Guy Fawkes, the summit of the Snow^' Range,
and the highest point of New England. The climate here is very severe,
yet the trees of this Acacia are magnificent specimens, showing how hardy
it is. It is everywhere called Mudgerabah, and it is about the only tree that
pastoralists do not ringbark, as it gives a grateful shelter to the stock during
the summer, while, in those districts where frosts occur, the cattle are
found under it during the coldest nights, as the frost cannot penetrate the
dense foliage. From the sesthetic point' of view, it is desirable that these
trees should be conserved, for they are charming objects in the landscape,
many of them being nearly as sj'mmetrical as it is possible for a tree to be.
This tree is none other than the Blackwood. From the point of view of the
timber-getter, the trunks of the Mudgerabah are usually too short; but if it
be necessary to fell one, the timber deserves a better fate than to be utilised
as fuel.

EXPLANATION OF TLATE 57.

A. Flowering branch.

B. An iudiviclnal bud removed from a head of flowers.

c. Individual expanded flower, showing — («) Sepal, {h) Petal,
(c) Stamens.

D. Portion of flower, ni^ened out— («) Sepal, (&) Petal, (c)

Stamens, {d) Pistil.

E. Ripe pod.

F. Seed, with funicle partly encircling it in double folds.

G. Phyllode witli pinnate true leaves. ■ ,.,

I

F. Fl., pi. 57.

ACACIA MELANOXYLON, R.Bp. (The Blackwood.)

119

Acacia binervata, DC.

The Two-veined Hickory.

Botanical Name. — Binervaia (Latinised adjective, from nervus, a nerve
or vein) denoting "two-nerved," in allusion to the two veins in the leaves
(phyllodia), a characteristic so readily recognised that everj' person can bear
it in mind.

Vernacular Names. — In the Illawarra district, where this Wattle is par-
ticularly abundant, and attains its greatest luxuriance, it usually goes under
the name of " Black Wattle " ; but, to save confusion, it would appear
desirable to restrict the use of this term as far as possible to the forms of
Acacia decurrens.

It shares with other broad " leaved " Wattles the name of " Hickory," and
in order to distinguish it, the name " Two-veined Hickory " is proposed.

Aboriginal Name. — " Myimbarr," of the aborigines of Illawarra (New
South Wales).

Leaves. — Note the two well-marked veins on the phyllodes (leaves) of this
species.

Baric. — It yields a valuable bark; specimens from Cambewarra, N.S.W.,
yielded me up to 5803 per cent, of extract, and 3004: per cent, of tannic
acid. The colour of this sample was dark brown; the inner bark wann red-
brown; the outer bark deeply-fissured or flaky, which makes it more or less
pulverulent; the inner bark contains abundance of strong fibre; diameter,
12 inches ; height, 20 to 25 feet ; locally called " Black Wattle."

A second sample from the same locality gave 28-2 per cent, of tannic acid,
and yielded 51-5 per cent, of extract.

I examined a specimen from Tomerong, near Jervis Bay, N.S.W. (between
Nowra and Milton), which was collected February, 18S8, and analysed the
following September. As received, it had had its first crushing in the mill;
nevertheless it was possible to pick samples showing a fair proportion of
inner and outer bark. The outer bark is somewhat scaly, and the inner
bark is light reddish-brown and very fibrous. It cannot be mistaken for
A. decurrens bark owing to its fibrous nature. It gave tannic acid 19-3 per
cent.; extract, 37-8 per cent.

This sample was taken from bulk actually used by a tanner, and it will
be found, in general, that barks containing 20 per cent, of taimic acid are
commonly used by country tanners; in fact, if bark of a species gives as
high as 15 per cent, of tannic acid, it is worthy of inquiry whether richer
specimens are available.

The above are southern localities ; following are from northern : —

Bark from Booral, county of Gloucester, stripped in July, and analysed
in August, gave 28 per cent, of tannic acid, and 51-55 per cent, of extract.
It was from a tree 30 feet high, and 8 inches in diameter.

A further sample from Stroud (in the same neighbourhood) collected in
January, gave 27-75 per cent, of tannic acid, and 48-9 per cent, of extract.

This tree is frequently a large tree, and yields much bark.

Timber. — The wood is close-grained, tough, and light, and much prized
for axe-helves and bullock-yokes. As regards colour, it varies between a
dirty white and pinkish and* a uniform dirty colour, similar, but more

intense, than California Red Pine. The specimens seen by the author have
no figure. Three slabs of this wood in the Technological Museum, which
liave been seasoned over twenty-five years (having been exhibited at the
London International Exhibition of 1862), have weights which correspond
to 50 lb. 8 oz., 51 lb. 4 oz., and 56 lb. 11 oz. respectively per cubic foot.

. Exudations. — Like many other Wattles, it exudes a crude gum arable.

8ize. — One of the largest of the Wattles. Specimens in the Berry dis-
trict, for example, are large forest trees, very umbrageous, with foliage
"almost to the ground, and handsome in shape. The height of the tree may
l)e stated at (say) 40 feet as a general rule, with. a stem-diameter of 9 inches
to a foot and more.

Habitat — It is found in New South Wales and Queensland. In the
former State it occurs as far south as Mount Dromedary, but it appears to
attain its greatest luxuriance in the Illawarra. North of Port Jackson it
is less plentiful, becoming more and more scarce to southern Queensland.
<jroing west, it is found sparsely in New England, and also in the Mudgee
■district.

Propagation. — I commend this as one of the best species to grow in the
"Sydney district, where a large umbrageous wattle is required. While not
■objecting to good soil, it grows remarkably well in the poorest soil. For
•example, it grows the most luxuriantly of all wattles in the Centennial Park,
Sydney, a place of sand, with much ferruginous hardpan.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 95.

A. Flowering branch.

B. Flower-head.

c. Individual bud.

D. Flower.

E. Flower, opened out, showing — (la) Calyx, (6) (Corolla, (c)

Stamens, (d) Pistil.

F. Pod, Stroud district.

G. Pods, Moruya district.
H. Seed, Moruya.

Acacia decurrens, Willd.

AND ITS VARIETIES.

The Acacia Decurrens Group of Wattles.

Black, Green, and Silver Wattles.

The well-known feathery-leaved Wattle, familiar to most people in the

.«astem and southern States — ^by whom it is chiefly known by one of two

names, viz., Black or Green Wattle — ^rvas first botanically described by the

hotanist Willdenow, who defined two species, Acacia decurrens and Acacia

mollissima.

We will now discuss the several varieties : —

(a) The typical form. The var. normalis of Bentham.

(Z>) Var. mollis, Lindl. {A. mollissima, Willd.).

(c) Var. pauciglandulosa, F.v.M.

id) Var. Leichhardtii, Benth. (A. Arundelliana, Bailey.)

(e) Var. dealhata, F.v.M. {A. dealbata, Link.)

(/) Var. lanigera, Maiden.

F. Fl.. pi. 95.

ACACIA BINERVATA, DC. (Two-veined Hickory.)

121

Mr. C. T. Mussou writes in the Hawheshury Agricultural College Journal
for 1904 :—

Another ctjlour peculiarity is found in a bright yellow or orange strip-
crossing the angle formed by the branches in Acacia decurrens. Here is the
spot mostly attacked by borers. Is there toughening tissue present?

Many of my readers have observed this coloration in A. decurrens. Its
function is not obvious, and, I draw attention to it since it is one of the-
inpunierable morphological indications which we are not yet able to interpret^
and the key to the physiology of such marking may be found by the observant,
bush-naturalist. It may appear to be a little thing; but the science of
botany is built up by " little " observations, often by untrained men.

An interesting study is W. W. Froggatt's " Insects of the Wattle-trees,""
in the Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales for 1902. Unfortunately
our wattles are very liable to insect pests, but this causes them to be of
8i)ecial interest to entomologists.

A. decurrens yields an important tan-bark in most of the States, and
every encouragement should be given to its cultivation. This wattlfr
and the South Australian A. pycnantha w-ill supplement each other, the
former flourishing in situations too damp and cold for the latter. Varieties
of A. decurrens are at present abundant on some Crown and other lands in
various districts of the State, where thousands, and perhaps millions, of
seedlings may be sometimes seen, forming a dense, useless brush, liable to
destruction by bush fires. In these localities we do not reqiiire to sow seed,
but to use the tomiahawk. They should be thinned out freely, to admit light
and air to the most promising seedlings, which will then have some chance
of forming trees capable of carrying a merchantable amount of bark. In
many places selectors Avage war against this tree, simply looking upon it
as a troublesome weed. They should try the thinning process,, leaving the
most shapely trees. They will find that wattle scrub (of the right kinds);"
will become of value, instead of a nuisance.

Mr. J. E. Brown stated that, in South Australia, this species is much
less hardy than A. pycnantha. but in other States this is not the general
experience. Baron von Mueller recommends planting of A. decurrens in
worn-out lands overrun with sorrel. It is fond of moisture, and not of toe
much heat. The Baron also gives its rate of growth as about 1 inch in
diameter every year. Mr. J. E. Brown mentions some treees^in South
Australia 30 feet high and 8 inches in diameter, only 5 years of age, and
I can record similar experience near Sydney. It is rather liable to attacks
by borers. It is a useful tree for making a quick-growing shelter for
vineyards, orchards, &c.

Cxdtural Notes. — The following notes are. as a rule, directly based upon
observation with the mollis variety of Acacia decurrens^ but are more or
less applicable to all varieties of decurrens.

Mr. Evan Francis writes: —

In a garden in Bega. a few years ago, I sowed seeds of Black Wattle on 1st
September, and on the 1st January, following, plants were measured 11 and 12
feet high ; this, for four months, was enormous growth.

Following is an account of a New Zealand correspondent (Waikato,
Auckland), of his experience in r^^ard to this variety, which may be useful
for the guidance of others in similar localities : —

I have about 5 or 6 acres of mnUissima. I got the seed from Tasmania.
They are growing the best of any I have got. They do not make much tap

122

root; they spread the roots near the surface. They were sown two years ago
last month (September), and some of them are 12 feet high, without any
shelter. They are the best to remove. I planted an acre with young trees
taken out of them twelve months since last March. I took them without any
soil, and there is not one dozen in the whole lot that have died: but I find
that after you plant any of the Acacui tribe, they do not commence to grow
till twelve months after they are planted. I have no doubt that they will grow
much better under the bamboo system.

In another letter my correspondent says : — •

Trees four years old are 15 to 28 feet high, and 5 inches in diameter at 3 feet
from the ground. They had no shelter.

The following interesting observations of Mr. William Bauerlen are
instructive, as showing the advantages of cultivating natural seedlings of
wattle instead of allowing them to take their chance — in other words, they
are responsive to any attention. At the same time this method is most
eucccessful in rainy, rather cold districts.

Ma.ior's Creek, near Araluen. New South Wales, planted Green Wattles
from seedlings in August, from 12 to 15 inches high.

Height.

Girth.

6 years old .

., 1 .

., 25 feet .

.. 30 inches, 3 feet above ground.

Do

2

.. 28 „ .

.. 24 „

Do

.. 3 .

.. 21 „ .

.. 21 „

4 years old .

.. 1 .

.. 20 „ .

.. 24 „

Do

.. 2 .

.. 18 „ .,

,. 20 „

2 years old . ,

. 1 .

.. 15 „ .,

. 11 „

None of the wattles from the place from which these were taken for plant-
ing (and some even exceed six years in age) exceed 15 feet in height and 10
Inches in girth.

In the same locality, there is a tree ten years old, which is 30 feet in height,
and has a girth of 3 feet 7 inches. The tree is remarkably straight and
healthy, the bark on the trunk having quite a smooth, young appearance yet.
A tree of the same dimensions out in the bush would have a dark, rough,
furrowed bark, and would doubtless be twice the age.

Mr. Evan Francis, when at Bega, also exi)erimented with bush seedlings,
and this is what he says : —

In six months the trees ranged from 10 to 15 feet in height. The taller
trees were in the more sheltered positions. Single specimens in oi)en ground
did not succeed half as well as those in the centre of the grove, where they
were mutually sheltered. A distance of 9 feet, plant from plant, seemed the
correct thing.

At two years the trees were fine saplings of about, on an average, 20 to 25
feet high. We estimated that a yield of from 30 to 40 lb. of dry bark would
be given by these trees at four years old, but they reached their prime at six
years, when the bark at the lower parts of the trees had great substance, and
the yield of dry bark would be fully 60 lb. ; and I am sure selected trees would
have reachetl 100 lb.

My Forest Flora is not a work on wattle cultivation; that part of the
subject and the quality of wattle-bark has been very fully gone into in my
special work on the subject (" Wattles and Wattle Barks," illustrated, 3rd
Edition. Government Printer, Is. 6d.), which has been written for
growers, bark-strippers, merchants, tannei-s, and naturalists. ^

123

I give a list of contents of the work :—

PART

Demand and supply of bark.

Wattle-bark in Xatal.
What New South Wales may do.

The' Soil.
(a) General considerations.
(6) Preparation of the laud,
(c) Moisture.
Objections to Wattle-growing con-

I.

sidered.

. The Seed.
(«) Commerce. in Wattle Seed.

{&) Quantity of seed required to
the acre.

(c) Preparation of seed for ger-
mination.'

(rf) The Bamboo method of tree-
planting.

(e) Broadcast sowing.

Addendum.

The Tree and its Babk.

(a) Pruning and thinning.

(ft) Time of year for stripping.

(c) How to strip.

(d) Age and size of trees.

(e) To increase bulk of bark.
(/) Fibre In barks.
(g) Drying of bark.
()(.) Grading of bark.
(/■» Exi)ort. packing, «S:c.
(it) Adulterations or substitu-
tions.

Profits and Loss am) Minoe
Industries.

Profits to be derived from Wattle

cultivation.
Detailed estimates.
Extracts.
Technical education In leather and

tanning materials.
Wattle galls.
Wattle gums.
Wattles as drugs.
Wattle blossom. *
Brief bibliography of Wattle-barks.

PART ir.

The best New South Wales .Wattle-
barks.

Acacia dccurreiis group of Wattles.
Acacia pucnantha, Beuth.
.icacm pcnnincrvis, Sieb.

Acacia hincrvata. DC.
Acacia elata, A. Cunn.
Acacia iciopliyUa, Beuth.
duced).

(intro-

PART III.

Notes on New South Wales Wattles.

A few general remarks on Morpho-
logy.

Wattles and the poets.

Brief bibliography of the botany
of Australian Acacias.

New South Wales Acacias arranged
in botanical setiuence.

Notes on the species of New South
Wales Acacias, arranged in al-
phabetical order.

Vernacular names.

Index.

Botanical Name. — Decv/rrens, Latin, " running down or along;" decurrent,
in allusion to the bases of the leaf-stalks, which run along the branchlets,
forming a ridge more or less prominent.

1. Variety normalis, Benthani.

Vernacular Names. — The " Black Wattle " of the Sydney district.
(N.B. — Australians are not always nnanimous or consistent in the use of
the terms Black and Green Wattle for varieties A. decurrens.) " Sydney
Wattle," the common Black Wattle of the older colonists.

Aboriginal Name. — ^Formerly known as " Book-kerriking " by the
aborigines of the Counties of Cumberland and Camden, New South Wales
(Itfacarthur).

; 124

Leaves. — Attention is drawn to the great length and narrowness of the
leaflets in this variety.

Flowers. — It has been thought that the period of flowering affords an
infallible guide to the discrimination of at least two varieties, e.g., normalis,
a winter, and mollis, a summer flowerer. Under each variety will be given
notes as to the months of flowering of some specimens in the National
Herbarium, Sydney. The present list is of var. normalis, and other
varieties will be dealt with separately. It will be seen that the time of
flowering is not an absolute criterion as to the variety. Knowledge of the
flowering period is, however, often useful to people who have devoted
particular attention to the wattles of a district. Sometimes the same tree
flowers twice in a season, and the period of flowering is affected by climatic
influences of a particular district, and a particular season.

HortncUiis.

Locality.

June

Sydney.

Sydney.

Campbelltown.

Picton and Bargo

Sydney, Barber's Creek, Burragorang.

Sydney, Taralga.

Bowral to Bullio.

July •.

August

September

October ".

Baric. — A not very good specimen from (Oampbelltown, stripped in
August, yielded 31-5 per cent, of tannic acid, and 57-35 per cent, of- extract.
A specimen from Eyde, near Sydney, yielded 32-33 per cent, of tannic acid,
and 48-74 per cent, of extract.

Timber. — Of pale colour, more or less browTi in the centre. Only useful
for fuel, for which purpose it is appreciated for bakers' ovens.

Size. — ^A small or medium sized tree, with a diameter of, say, 9 inches,
and a height of 25 to 30 feet.

Habitat. — Apparently confined to New South Wales, and restricted to the
■eastern portion of it.

It is a coast and coast mountain variety, occurring chiefly about Port
Jackson, Campbelltown, Picton and Bargo Brush, Berrima to WoUondilly,
to Goulburn, and Taralga.

Its southernmost locality in the National Herbarium is Bateman's Bay,
but I have no doubt it extends further.

I do not think I have seen it north of Port Jackson.

^ 2. Variety mollis, Lindl.

This is a sweet-scented, almost overpoweringly-scented formi, and it
flowers in the summer or early summer. It is the form which yields the
best tan-bark. At the same time it passes imperceptibly into other forms,
and I advise landowners not only to have a botanical examination of their
wattles, but also to have a chemical examination of their barks.

Botanical Name. — Mollis, Latin, soft, in reference to the foliage.
Vernac/iilar Names. — Sometimes called ." Black Wattle" in New South
. .Wales, and commonly so called in Victoria and Tasmania, but usually
called " Green Wattle " in New South Wales, and occasionally " Silver
Wattle." The common Green Wattle of the older colonists. ,

125

■Aboriginal Names.— Formerly called "Wat-tah" by the aborigines of
the Counties of Cumberland and Camden; "Nummerak" of those of the
Ulawarra district. New South Wales (Macarthur) ; "Garrong" or " Cur-
rong " of the aborigines of Lake Condah, and also of the Yarra, Victoria,
aborigines; "Warraworup" of those of the aboriginal station, Coranderrk,
Victoria.

Flowers. — ^In the National Herbarium, Sydney, we have flowering speci-
mens in the following months. See page 124.

MoUU.

Locality, N S.W.

January Major's Creek.

J, Araluen, Tallwong, Shoalhaven, Peak Hill, Sydney.

February Minore, Dubbo.

-March Nyngan.

April Gulgong.

Jupe Booral, near Stroud.

July Greta, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga.

August Port Stephens, Condobolin.

September Burwood, Sydney.

,, Middle Head,.Sydney.

October Ulawarra.

,, Port Stephens.

November Port Stephens, Sydney, Moruya.

December Major's Creek.

„ Sydney.

October, December, January, February — Tasmania.

September, November, December, March — Victoria.

Barh. — This variety of Acacia decurrens is the one which has made the
reputation of the bark. The celebrated Tasmanian and Portland (Victoria)
bark is the product of this variety.

I now proceed to give brief descriptions, with analyses, of illustrative
samples of this bark, and for practical convenience I divide those of New
South Wales into southern and northern localities, taking the Hawkesbury
River as a natural boundary.

Southern Barhs.

A sample of a smooth green bark from a young tree afforded 33-5 per cent,
of tannic acid, and 61-85 per cent, of extract, while a second sample, from
an older tree, gave 35-3 per cent, of tannic acid, and 5905 per cent, of
extract. Both were grown near Penrith, New South Wales.

A black bark, slightly rugged, from Mulgoa, Penrith, gave 35-56 per cent,
of tannic acid, and 59-2 per cent, of extract. It was known locally as
•'•■ Green Wattle."

A sample rexjeived May, 1890, and analysed the following month ,was
.found to contain 34-85 per cent, of tannic acid, and 61-5 per cent of extract.
It came from Burragorang. It is thicker than most barks of this species,
-and is beginning to be scaly on the outside. Were it not for that defect it
would be a splendid bark. It was allowed to remain a year too long on the
tree, a fault not usually to be found with bark-getters.

126

Another sample, taken from a tree between 40 and 50 feet high and 15
inches in diameter, at a place 12 miles from Burragorang Mountain, where
this species was growing in very large quantities, was analysed July, 1890,
and found to contain 34-4 per cent, of tannic acid, and 69-33 per cent, of
extract. This is a perfect specimen of bark of this species, being of good
thickness, smooth, and of good colour.

A sample from Cambewarra, from trees 20 to 30 feet in height, and 6 to
8 inches in diameter, gathered in August, 1886, was found to contain 32-08
per cent, of tannic acid, and 52-16 per cent, of extract. A bark grown in
the same neighbourhood, and analysed in April, 1890, gave only 24- 13 per
cent, of tannic acid, and 47- 1 per cent, of extract. It is a smooth bark, but
from a young tree, being only one-eighth of an inch thick, and rather
fibrous. Plad it been allowed to remain on the tree a couple of years longer,
I feel sure that the percentage of tannic acid would have much increased.

A sample from Nerriga (on the high tableland from Nowra to Braid-
wood) gave the excellent result of 36-3 per cent, of tannic acid, with 62-54
per cent, of extract. Height of tree, 15 to 20 feet; diameter, 8 to 12 inches.
It was stripped in January, and analysed the following August. This is
the best sample of A. decurrens bark which has hitherto been examined by;
me.

A second sample from the same district yielded 31-76 per cent, of tannic
acid, and 62-35 per cent, of extract; while a third gave 29-25 per cent, of
tannic acid, and 59 per cent, of extract. A fourth gave 24-99 per cent, of
tannic acid, and 53-96 per cent, of extract.

A bark from Bateman's Bay, collected in February, and said to be known
locally as " Silver Wattle,"* yielded the very satisfactory result of 34 per
cent, of tannic acid, and 59-45 per cent, of extract. It was obtained from
trees 50 feet high and 9 inches in diameter.

A second specimen from the same locality, collected at the same time, and
labelled, probably more correctly, " Green Wattle," gave the even better
result of 36-25 per cent, of tannic acid, and 60-3 per cent, of extract. It is
as good as any Victorian or Tasmanian.

Mr. Thomas Shepherd, an enterprising tanner of Cambewarra, kindly
furnished me with the following information in sending the first sample
from Nerriga. Of all New South Wales localities, he prefers Nerriga for
A. decurrens bark. He says it would be quite equal to Tasmanian if it
could be obtained as finely ground. From Cambewarra bark Mr. Shepherd
obtains only two liquors, of which the second is very weak, while from the
Nerriga bark he invariably obtains three strong liquors. In his opinion the
best time for stripping is when the trees are in bud, and have just come into
fiower. Next to the Nerriga bark he speaks highest of that coming from
the Bega district.

I have examined a sample of bark called " Green Wattle," from Bell's
Creek, Araluen, N.S.W. It was from trees 25 to 30 feet high, with diameters
from 6 to 18 inches, was igTown on granite soil, and was collected in Novem-
ber, 1888. In April, 1890, it was analysed, with the following result: —
Tannic acid, 31-23 per cent.; extract, 64-15 per cent. It is smooth, compact,
yields a light-coloured powder with some fibre, is a quarter of an inch thick,
and is to be ranked with the best of our New South Wales barks.

• It is sometimes diflficult to tell this tree from the true Silver Wattle (var. dealbata),
but usually they are different enough.

127'

Bark from Eden, stripped in November, gave 30' 25 per cent, of tannic
acid, and 51-65 per cent, of extract.

A specimen of " Green Wattle-bark," grown at Tombong, Snowy River,
N.S.W., was eollcpted in March, 1889. It was obtained from trees 20 to 30
feet high, with diameters (5 to 15 inches, qjid was grown in granite country.
It yielded (April, 1890) 24-63 per cent, of tannic acid, with 45-8 per cent,
of extract. This sami)le is hardly fair to the species. It is rather thin,
nigged, coveretl with lichens, and rather more fibrous than the generality of
barks of this variety. In spite of the badly-selected sample, the analysis
shows that it is full of promise.

Northern BarTcs.

Bark from Booral, stripped in June, yielded 28-52 per cent, of tannic
acid, and 50-1 per cent, of extract. A second sample from the same place
gave 27-5 per cent, of tannic acid, and 57- 1 per cent, of extract.

A sample from Raymond Terrace, collected in December, gave 33-20 per
cent, of tannic acid, and 56-5 per cent, of extract, showing that good barks
can come from the north.

Bark from Gosford, stripped in July, from four-year-old trees, gave 22
per cent, of tanniq acid, and 46-4 per cent, of extract.

Habitat. — The only form in Tasmania, and the most common one in
■Victoria; less frequent in the northern districts of New South Wales.

Queensland. — Inland extra-tropical Queensland.

South Australia. — South of the Murray Desert, embracing the 90-mile
Desert and the Tatiara; Mount Gambier District.

In New South Wales this variety flourishes best in the colder districts of
this State, chiefly on the southern tablelands, but is by no means confined to
the colder districts, as the following specimens in the National Herbarium,
Sydney, show: —

Cooma ; Mogo, near Moruya, " Green Wattle," the tan-bark ; Tallong,
Marulan, Hill Top, National Park, Parramatta (examined by Bentham),
Wahroonga, Sydney. It is apparently not common in northern New South
Wales, e.g., Warialda. Pods nearly glabrous, leaflets more spathulate than
var. pauciglandulosa and not hairy on the tips; Warialda — More glabrous
than the preceding, and further remote from var. pauciglandulosa ; Wari-
alda— Nearer the pauciglandulosa type, but glands abundant; Inverell —
almost entirely glabrous.

These northern specimens, alone show that vars. mollis and pauciglandu-
losa run into each other.

Out West, the variety becomes more stunted, but otherwise nearly normal.
Fine, short golden hairs sometimes extend lower than the tips of the
branches. Minore, Peak Hill, Condobolin Hill, Coolabah, Nymagee.

3. Variety pauciglandulosa, F.v.M.

I do not think that this is a strong variety. It runs into var. mollis too
much. Tyiiical var. mollis has more spathulate leaflets than has var. pauci-
glandulosa, and the plant is more angular, and altogether more hairy, and
even sometimes scabrous. The fine leaflets are sometimes tipped with hairs.

128

I find the number of glands an uncertain character. Its young tips are
decidedly and more extensively golden than var. mollis. The young pods-
are also yellowish.

Vernacular Name. — A " Green Wattle."

Botanical Name. — Pauciglandulosa, from two Latin words, signifying
" with few glands."

Flowers. — The following indicate some flowering seasons of this variety.
See above, pp. 124, 125.

Pauciglandulosa.

Localit}'.

January ;

Tares ; Narrabri NSW

April

Richmond River (Rous). N S W.

June

County of Gloucestt-r. N.8.W.

Brisbane, Queensland ; Wallangarra, N.S.W.;

Port Stephens, N.S.W.

Upper Hastings, N.S.VV.

Stroud Road, Hunter River NSW

July

August :

November

December

Bark. — A specimen of bark from Port Stephens, N.S.W., stripped in
December, yielded 31-75 per cent, of tannic acid, and 51-55 per cent, of
extract.

A sample from Bateman's Bay, N.S.W., stripped in February, from trees
30 feet high, and up to 15 inches in diameter, gave the result of 27 per cent,
of tannic acid, and 53-45 per cent, of extract.

Habitat. — So far as our specimens are concerned, it may be looked upon
as a northern Xew South Wales and southern Queensland form. That is to
say, it hardly comes south of Sydney.

It also extends to the tableland. Specific localities are: — Gosford^ Port'
Stephens, Booral, Stewart's Brook, Brushy Mountain, Gloucester, Taree,
Hastings Eiver, Upper Hastings Eiver, Bellingen, Bolivia, Wallangarra,
Ecus (Eichmond Eiver) ; Acacia Creek, Macpherson Eange.

Under var. mollis, Benth., (B.Fl ii. 415) has the note " Some of Beckler's
specimens from Warwick (Queensland) have the numerous glands of this
form with the very small leaflets of the following (pauciglandulosa) .^^

I have a specimen of Beckler's before me, also Narrabri, on sand-ridges;
Woolooma Mountain, Belltrees, Scone. They seem to me nearest to var.
imuciglandulosa, and are evidence of the statement I have previously made
that vars. mollis and pauciglandulosa run into each other.

4. Variety Leichhardtii, Benth.

This might be described as an extreme form of var. pauciglandulosa. It
resembles it strongly in general appearance, but has a profusion of com-
paratively long, weak hairs, particularly on the rhachises, which give it a
rather ornamental aspect. The leaflets have, however, fewer hairs than var.
paucig landulosa.

Botanical Name. — Leicliliardtii, in honour of Dr. Leichhardt, the
explorer, \Vho first collected it.

Vernacular Names. — A " Green Wattle."

129

BarTi. — The bark of this variety is used by the local tanners, and is spoken
of fairly well as regards percentage of tamiiii, but is not much liked on
account of its being considered too hard and fibrous, and therefore difficult
to break up in the mill.

It is a common belief amongst tanners (ai)d at present I am not prepared
to say what basis of truth it has), thaj; barks m\ich subjected to frost and
snow are much richer in tannin than those not so subjected. The present
sample is from a tree grown in a very cold district. It was collected
October, 1888, at Monga, from trees 20 to 25 feet high, and 6 to 18 inches
in diameter, growing on granite soil. Thickness of bark about A inch.
A smoothish iDark of a light colour, but forming a rather fibrous powder.
It was analj-sed April, 1890, and found to contain 26-4 per cent, of tannic
acid, and 45-25 per cent, of extract.

This variety would appear to attain exceptional dimensions at Yalwal,
not far from Xowra, as I have been informed that trees in that locality have
been stripped of the following diameters, viz., 9, 12, 18, and 36 inches.
The last diameter is certainly extraordinary, and I have not heard of
uuthoutic measurements of any variety of Acacia decurrens giving over 24
to 30 inches, and then only in exceptionally favourable localities; but my
information appears to be quite reliable, and I have heard f^-om another
source of the immense size of the trees in this locality. The bark is not
less than 1 inch thick, and must have come from a huge wattle. It is scaly
on the outside, and reminds one of mountain hickory bark (A. penninervis).
It was stripped in March and analysed the same month, with the result of
29-25 per cent, of tannic acid, and 46-75 per cent, of extract. A second
specimen from a tree 18 inches in diameter gave 25-75 per cent, of tannic
acid, and 40-8 per cent, of extract. A third specimen from a tree 9 inches
in diameter gave 26 per cent, of tannic acid, and 44-05 per cent, of extract.

A poor, thin, too-early stripped specimen (near the type) from Tewantin,
Queensland, stripped in July and analysed in September, gave 22-1 per cent,
of tannic acid, and 41-6 per cent, of extract.

Habitat. — This form is best developed in South Queensland.

QUEEXSLAXD.

Between Archer's Station and Biron, and towards the Bunya (Leichhardt)
are localities given by Bentham. It also occurs at Maroochie.

New South Wales.

Mogo, Moruya, Nelligen, Bateman's Bay. Found also in the Monaro and
Braidwood districts, and in the Jingera Mountains.

The range of this variety should be further inquired into.

5. Variety dealbata, F.v.M., " The Silver Wattle."

Botanical Name. — Dealhaia, Latin, " whited," hence white-washed, in
allusion to the whiteness of the stem (and foliage).

Vernacular Name. — The Wattle which most commonly goes under the
name " Silver Wattle." There are, of course, several other wattles known
es " Silver Wattle " in restricted areas.

t 94031 -E

130

Aboriginal i\'ames.— Formerlj^ called " Ur-root " by the Yarra (Victoria)
aborigines. JSTative name on the Castlereagh Eiver, KS.W., " Eumung,"
according to the late Rev. Dr. Woolls, but I would point out that at least
three other western New South Wales wattles share that name.

Floivers. — At one time a well-known London firm of perfumers stated that
they prepare their " Extract of Australian Wattle " from the flowers of this
wattle, which is grown in enormous quantities on the Riviera in southern
Europe for decorative purposes.

Bar],-. — Some specimens of bark from Quiedong, Bombala, N.S.W., yielded
the author 21-22 per cent, of tannic acid, and 39-86 per cent, of extract.
They Avere from trees 12 to 18 inches in diameter and 20 to 30 feet high,
and were grown on limestone countiy. A second sample from the same
district gave 171 per cent, of tannic acid, and 39-3 per cent, of extract.
They were apparently from an old tree. The barks form a rather fibrous
powder.

I have examined a sample from the Delegate River, N.S.W., where the
trees are growing in the brush (rich jungle), in chocolate soil, attaining a
height of 60 to 100 feet, with a diameter of 1 to 2 feet. Bark collected in
April, 1889, yielded the following April 2.5-9 per cent, of tannic acid, and
45-7 per cent, of extract. This has the general appearance of A. decurrens
bark, but is in layers, separable with a little difiiculty, more fibrous, and has
the appearance of having been dusted on the outside with a white powder.
The whitish appearance does not rub off, and the stem looks as if it had had
* coat of lime-wash. It is the work of a lichen.

A perfectly smooth, thin, silvery or ash-grey bark, from near Penrith,
N.S.W., gave 24- 13 per cent, of tannic acid, and 47-85 per cent, of extract.

Barks received from Mr. C. Brownrigg, gathered in June, and obtained
from parish of Beaufort, Cowra district, diameter of tree 10 inches, yielded
16-5 per cent, of tannic acid, and 42-4 per cent, of extract. A second sample
from the parish of Calout, in the same district, from a tree 7 inches in
diameter, gave 20-3 per cent, of tannic acid, with 43 per cent, of extract.
Mr. Brownrigg kindly furnished the following notes with these samples: —
Beaufort sample — " Extensive forests of good, sound, old and young trees,
not affected by the ringbarking of other timber." Calov.t sample — " Since
the ringbarking of the box and other timber, nearly all the old wattle-trees
have died away; a young forest appears to be growing up."

Bark from county Auckland (Monaro), and stripped in I^ovember, gave
24 per cent, of tannic acid, and 42-55 per cent, of extract.

Two samiples from the Cooma district gave 24 per cent, of tannic acid,
with 49-6 per cent, of extract, and 25-5 per cent, of tannic acid, with
r>l-2 per cent, of extract, respectively. The latter bark is worthy of special
mention. It is quite black, having not a trace of the whitish appearance
generally found on the bark of this species. It was brought to me as
Green Wattle {Acacia decurrens, var. mollis), and there seemed no necessity
to doubt the diagnosis. ISTo expert could have told the difference between
it and Green Wattle if he had not been permitted to test it. It is a good
instance of the deceptiveness of appearances.

'•' Silver AVattle " bark may be assumed to contain about 25 per cent, of
tannic acid in the best samples.

In Tasmania the destruction of these trees has often been recommended
in order to let var. mollis grow, and this advice is i)robably sound, but only
in cases in which one or other has to be sacrificed.

131

I think I have adduced sufficient evidence to convince intelligent people
that tlie bark is by no means a worthless one, and barks inferior even to thi»
are locally used in districts not favoured with the alternative of the use
of such a bark as other varieties of decurrens. I hope that barks in a
particular district will bo tried on their merits, and not be condemned
without trial.

In insisting on the general principle of assay of barks, just as a man
engaged in the mining industry is always careful to sample his stone as
occasions require, I am quite aware of the special circumstances of Tasmania
as regards the '' Silver Wattle," and that the case in that State against
this particular variety is stronger than it is in our own. In Tasmania tho
''Silver Wattle" grows more in spars than with us; its bark has a more
than ordinary tendency to shrink; it is tough and llbrous (though not to
such an extent as A. hinervata, for instance). As wattles take longer to
mature in Tasmania than with us, it will be quite understood that I ani
in no way reflecting on the wisdom of the advice of letting the ciiltivation
of the best species remain unimpeded.

A New Zealand (Auckland) correspondent states that his four-year-old
var. dealhata trees are 35 feet high in a sheltered place, with a diameter o£
4 to 8 inches at 3 feet from the ground. They grow quicker than var. mollis
in his particular district. Var. dealhata is not indigenous in New Zealand
(nor is, in fact, any Acacia), and it is a pity that this species has been
introduced into that colony for its yield of tan-bark, as I understand has
been done, in several instances, whether deliberately or by a mistake in aeed.
I am unable to say.

The " Silver Wattle " sometimes obtains an enormous size in Tasmania,
Victoria, and southern New South Wales. In Tasmania, Backhouse
measured a tree 11 feet 2 inches in girth, and " Silver Wattles " approaching
100 feet in height have frequently been found in all three States.

Size. — It attains the largest size of any of the varieties of A. decurrrens.
In Tasmania it attains the dignity of a large forest tree, but in most of
the States it is of medium size.

Hafntat. — The "Silver Wattle" is found in Tasmania, Victoria, New
South Wales, and a not strictly typical form occurs in the extreme south
of Queensland.

New South Wales,

Southern Localities (in National Herbarium, Sydney). — Jindabyne, Snowy
River; Tumut, McLachlan River, Nimitybelle to Tantawanglo Mountain;
Barber's Creek; Wingello; Berrimia; 15-16 mile-post, Wonibeyan Caves to
Taralga; Queanbeyan (with a yellowish indumentum, and certainly con-
stricted between the seeds. The indumentum in this variety may sometimes
be very sparse, and sometimes consist of a glaucous covering).

Western Localities. — Faulconbridge ; Mount Banks or King George, with
bright yellow tips; Jenolan Caves; Kerr's Creek, Orange; Parkes Water
Supply.

Northern Localities. — Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range, near var. mollis;
Apsley Falls; Stewart's Brook, showing transit to var. pauciglandulosa.

It is very widely diffused in New South Wales, attaining its greatest
development in the valleys of the Southern Tableland, in cold situations
approximating to those in Victoria and Tasmania.

132

Propagation. — I have already referred to its rapid growtli in India, and
to its cultivation in Southern Europe. The following unpublished notes
were written some years ago, and give some idea of the appreciation it
receives in the Northern Hemisphere: —

It appears to be one of the hardiest of the genus, as it is one of the most
ornamental. At Bayonne, in the Lower Pyrenees, Madame Leon made a con-
siderable plantation of it a few years ago which has how developed into a
charming miniature forest. Even as far north as Nantes it flourishes and
resists ordinary winters. In very severe winters it is sometimes killed down
to the ground, but it throws up again with increased vigour. The foregoing
particulars we glean from the organ of the Central Horticultural Society of
France, and we have no doubt that this Acacia will prove equally as hardy
in the West of England.

Its white foliage contrasts well with the sombre foliage of many Aus-
tralian trees, and I certainly think it is Avorthy of more extensive cultivation
for ornamental purposes. We take far greater pains over less meritorious
exotics.

6. Variety lanigera, Maid,en, in "Wattles and Wattle-barks," 3rd Edition,

1906, p. 41.

A small tree or tall shrub, characterised by every part of it — old and
young leaflets, rhachises and twigs, and pods — ^being densely covered with a
White or brown indument.

It may be described as an " exaggerated " form of var. dealhata, but so
miich more woolly-hairy than var. dealhata as to be worthy of some designa-
tion.

Leaflets about twenty and over, coarser than those of var. dealhata, the
variety it most closely resembles. Harvey Range, .T. L. Boofman, 1905
(type). Closely allied forms from Gloucester Buckets, E. Betche, 1882;
J.H.M., 1897; Parkes Water Supply, J.H.M., 1897.

This remarkable form) will be better understood on reference to the Plate.
It seems to me the handsomest variety of the -species, and worthy of cultiva-
tion for ornamental purposes. It is too rare to be of commercial importance.
It grows in dry localities.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 87.
A, dccurrens var. normalis. a — o.

var. LeichhardtU, h — k.
(N.B. — Var. Leichlvardtii is closest to var. panciglamlnloffd. nnd hns beon put
oil Plate 87 as a matter of convenience.)

Variety normalis.

A. Flowering branch. Note the compound, bipinnate leaf. Pinna,
plural pinme (Latin a feather), is a primary division of a pinnate
leaf. Its leaflets are sometimes themselves pinnate, as in this
case.

E. Portion of leaf (pinna), much magnified, showing the individual
pinnules or leaflets, or secondary pinna?.

Note the glands in a. and b. They vary a good deal in A^
dccurrens, and the glands depicted in the various drawings in
Plates 87 and 88, while taken from average specimens, must not
be looked upon as absolute as regards either number or position.
'•r c. An individual bud removed from a head of flowers.

I

F. Fl., pi. 87.

ACACIA DECURRENS, Willd. (Black Wattle, Green Wattle.)

F, Fl.. pl.,88.

ACACIA DECURRENS, Willd. (Black Wattle, Green Wattle, Silver Wattle.)

133

D. Flower, showiuR — (a) ("nlyx, (b) Corolla, (c) Stamens, (d) Style.
j:. Flower, opened out, showing — (a) Calyx, (b) Corolla, (c) Stamens,

id) Pistil.
1 . Ripe pod.
Q. Seed.

Variety Leichhardtii.
H. Leaf.
1. Portion of leaf much magnified. Note the comparative absence of

hairs from the i»innnles. The hairs on the rhachis are hardly

sufficiently accentuated.
J. Ripe pod. This is the smallest pod of all the varieties, but, as I

have them from only one locality, I should not like to say that the

pods are always so small.
K. Seed.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 88.

A. decurrclis, var. puncif/landulosa, a — c.
,, var. mollis, d — g.

„ var. dealbata, h — l.

„ var. lanigera, m — p.

Variety pauciglandulosa.

.\. Leaf, natural size. Note how the pinnaj are separate from each

other on the rhachis.
B. Portion of leaf much magnified. Note the shortness of each' pinnule,
c. Pod. Note its comparatively large size.

Variety mollis.

n. Portion of leaf, natural size.

E. Portion of leaf, showing the individual leaflets, magnified.

F. Pod. Note that it is much constricted between the seeds.

G. Seed.

Variety dealbata.

H. Portion of leaf, natural size.

I. Portion of leaf, magnified.

J. Seed.

K. and L. Pods, l is a pod examined by Bentham ; hence his remark,
" not contracted between the seeds." m is a perfectly authentic
pod of this species, and is introduced to show how the character
" not contracted between the seeds," which is usually employed to
make an important difference between vars. mollis and dealbata,
breaks down.

"\'ariety lanigera.

M. Leaf, natural size. Notice its inten.se hairiness. It is drawn from

the type (Harvey Range, near Dubbo).
N. Portion of leaf, magnified,
o. Portion of leaf, natural size. It is drawn from the Gloucester

specimen, E. Betche.
P. Pod; drawn from the type. Notice its intense hairiness. No pod

of another variety is hairy at all, so far as I know.

Acacia Baileyana, F.v.M.

COOTAMUNDRA WaTTLE.

In 1889 I wrote : '* During the last year or two a wattle has sprung into
«udden prominence. The florists' windows have been full of it; sprays of it
sold readily at high prices, for its decorative properties were at once
realised; seeds and plants of it were eagerly purchased; everybody now haa

134

it, and it is already one of the connnonest of cultivated wattles about Sydney
— I allude to the so-called Cootamundra Silver Wattle (Acacia Baileyana).
As a matter of fact, it has been largely cultivated (chiefly in Burwood
gardens) for years. A Burwood gentleman (Mr. Jolm Dawson), noticing its
ornamental character, brought seeds from Cootamundra, and distributed
theju amongst his friends. It was for years looked upon (in an indefinite
sort of way) as a variety of a well-known wattle, till the Kev. Dr. Woolls
brought the matter under the notice of Baron Mueller, who had just des-
cribed it under the name it now bears. It is one of the most local of wattles,
being naturally found only in a small part of New South Wales — about
Cootanmndra, Bethungra, Big Mimosa Run, in the Wagga District, and
thereabout. But, comically enough, this exclusively New South Wales
Wattle was named and described in a Victorian publication after a dis-
tinguished Queensland botanist- — a sort of botanical federation, in fact."

Botanical Name. — Baileyana, in honour of Frederick Manson Bailey, late
Government Botanist of Queensland.

Vernacular Name. — " Cootamundra W^attle," because of its best-known
locality.

Baric. — The bark has been used for tanning, but I am not aware with
■what result.

Timher.' — Pale-coloured and worthless except for fuel.

Size. — Mr. C. W, Darley informed me that near Bethungra he saw a
magnificent specimen of this tree. The diameter of the trunk was 2r)i
inches, and the foliage had been nibbled off horizontally, so as to give the
tree the general appearance of a gigantic mushroom. This flat portion of
the " mushroom " (or greatest spread of the leaves) was no less than 38 feet
in diameter. Following are additional dimensions: — ^Trunk diameter 12
inches from the ground, 18 inches. Height to first branch, 7 feet 4 inches.
Height of top of tree, 24 feet.

It was the admiration of the district, but some vandal killed it for the
sake of a few pounds of bark.

Habitat. — Confined to New South Wales, in the district of Cootamundra,
Bethungra, &c. Found also on Big Mimosa Run, Wagga District, also
parish of Inglebah, covmty Bourke (Temora), and near Barmedman.

A small tree, glaucous, and very beautiful, hence largely cultivated for
ornamental purposes.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 117.

A. Flowering branch.

B. Flawer-head.

c. Individual bud.

D. Expanded individual flower, much enlarged.

E. Flower, ojjened out. showing— (a) Calyx, (7>) Corolla, (c) Stamens,

(rf) Pistil.

F. Pod.

G. One valve of pod, showing seeds.

n. {^eed. showing the funicle (the thread-like body attaching the seed
to the back of the pod.)

F. Fl., pi. 117.

ACACIA BAILEYANA, F.v.M. (Cootamundra Wattle,)

135

The Cedar Group.

1. Cedrela austi-alis (lied Cedar).

2. Dysoxylum (Dysoxylon) Fraseranum (Rosewood).

3. Dysoxylum {Dysoxylon) Mn-elleri (Red Bean).

4. Owenia cepiodora (Onion Wood).

5. Melia Azedarach (White Cedar).

Cedreda australis^ E.v.M.

The Red Cedar.

Botanical Name. — Cedrela, derived' from Cedrus, the Cedar-tree of the
ancients, whose timber was durable and had a very sweet smell; australis,
Latin, southern (Australian),

Vemactilar Name. — I^niversally known in Australia as " Red Cedar," the
prefix being' doubtless employed to distinguish it from " White Cedar "
{Melia azedarach) .

Synonym. — Bentham looks upon our Red Cedar as identical with ('.
Toona, Roxb., the Toon of India. It should be observed, however, that Baron
Mueller differs from Bentham in considering the Australian '' Cedar "
specifically distinct from the " Toor." In any case the trees are so closely
related that any property possessed by one is shared by the other. Casimir
de Candolle agrees with Mueller in keeping our Red Cedar distinct from
the Indian tree.

Fruit. — The fruit is an oval capsule, about 1 inch long, which soon opens
and sheds its light, membranous seeds. Mr. (Jamble says that those of the
Indian tree run about 1,200 to the ounce. These seeds have always a remu-
nerative value, but care should be taken to collect fully-ripe seeds from
healthy, mature trees. The seeds should be kept dry, and preserved from
insect pests, to which they are very liable. The collection of seeds of useful
and ornamental Australian plants is oiie of those minor industries which
are usually neglected, and I will always assist collectors in making them
true 'to name.

Baric. — The outer bark is scaly, and in drying falls off, leaving an almost
smooth surface of reddish-brown colour. It is moderately fibrous, and Avill
tear into layers if some force be used.

Timber. — But the value of a Red Cedar lies in its timber, for it is without
doubt the most valuable timber produced in New South Wales, and it is in
Jtniversal use. It is equal to mahogany, to which it bears a good deal of

136

resemblance, except that it is much lighter in weight. The uses of the two
timbers are much the same, e.g., for tables, cabinets, and furniture in
general, also for doors and fittings of buildings, where the cost does not
Stand in the way. When kept dry it is very durable. . Pieces are now in
existence which were taken from biiildings erected in the very early days of
the State, and are as sound as the first day they were used. Cedar often
shows a beautiful figure, and it would be difficult to find any timber to
surpass the beauty of picked specimens. Its colour is a pleasing red; it
turns a deep rich colour with age. It is very rarely indeed attacked by
■white ants.

This is 'the first and foremost among colonial timbers for carriage build-
ing. Some grades of this, with clear, straight grain, dense and tough, make
excellent framing for many parts of carriages — in fact, I have been informed
that Sydney cabs of excellent quality have been built with cedar alone,
except the shafts and wheels. The features that recommend it . for the
si)ecial use of the carriage builder are that it is light, and easily worked. It
bends well for panels when seasoned. If a log be cut through the centre,
then quartered, and flitches cut from each of these quarters, the result will
be that panels even a quarter of an inch thick will not split at the ends
more than an inch or so — an important matter in a good and expensive
timber. Mr. Samuel Lownds, late teacher of coachbuilding at the Sydney
Technical College, informed me tliat he examined some samples which had
been exposed to the sun and rain, and also to the drip of water from a
galvanized-iron roof for a period of three and a half years. The outer
surface was almost unrecognisable; but tlie ends of the board were neither
split nor shaken. A board was planed up, and it had not deteriorated in
the slightest, the colour and the grain remaining perfect. Comparing cedar
with the best English ash, the former timber remains sound under treat-
ment which would cause the latter to become rotten. ' Our Sydney timber
merchants might be reminded that cedar which is left floating in Sydney
Harbour deteriorates for the purpose of the carriage builder. The salt pene-
trates the timber, and in the best-grade work the painting and varnishing
suffer accordingly.

Mr. B. P. Mitchell, of Gumeracha, South Australia, remarks that cedar
sawdust, when used for smoking ham, imparts a peculiarly nice flavour.
Cigar boxes are, in this State, made of tlio softest cedar. It is used for
railway keys. Fresh uses are constantly being found for this valuable
timber.

Size. — A middle-sized to a very large tree, varying in height up to 200
feet, and with a trunk diameter up to ]0 feet, though exceptional trees have
exceeded these large dii:tiensions. Tlie size of the average trees now yielding
cedar is about half the above.

" A tree cut down near Lismore in the good old days, which measured
10 feet in diameter at the base, was calculated to yield 30,000 feet of saleable
timber." (Moore.) In May, 1808, the steamer " Wodonga " brought from
Barron Falls, Cairns, Queensland, a log weighing 8 tons.

Mr. A. R. Crawford, of Moona Plains, Walcha, gave me particulars of an
even larger tree. He writes : —

This half flitch of cedar \\as cut from .-i tree which grew on :\rr. H. Saner'?-
selection in :\riilla Creek. 4.1 miles from Kcmiisey, and was cut from the trunk
156 feet from the stuni]). This tree was measured, after being felled, by Messrs.
O. O. Dangar and W. Nance, antl found to contain 80.000 feet of sound cedar;

137

the first liinl) jivcw ()0 feet from the ground. The timber iu this tree would be
worth fSOO in the fliteh on the Kenipsey Wharf. This flitch weighed C> tons,
And was drawn to Green Hills bj' Mr. Henry Davis, and exhibited by ]Mr.
Robert Canii)bell, of Warneton.

Heinrich Saner told me two years later that the toj) of the stunij) was about
10 feet from the ground, and that plenty of good eedar was out from the
branches, which were the size of fair-sized trees. It is said that the selection
was chiefly taken up for the sake of this tree.

Grows in scrub from 100 to 140 feet high, generally with good straight, round
barrel, free from branches about three-fourths of its length. Usually very
sound when fallen ; must be chopped through spurs in the spring, or is liable
to spit when touching the ground. — (Robert Kale.ski, Dorrigo.) •

The following note is taken froni the Sydney Morning Herald of 25th
October, 1861. vVhile a big log — thelaiggest logs were not transported far in
the old days, for the reason that suitable appliances were wanting: —

Yesterday afternoon our attention was called to four logs of cedar — being a
portion of one tree — which had just been discharged at Russell's Wharf, Su.ssex-
street, from the iron schooner " Black Diamond,'' from the Richmond. We
understand that these are the largest logs ever brought to this market, and
measure 14,3nr) superficial feet. With one exception, they are irregular shaped,
the largest, which is 8 feet in length, measuring 23 feet in circumference ; the
next, 7 feet 10 inclies in length, and 22 feet 4 inches iu circumference; the
third, 7 feet in length, and 21 feet !) inches in circmnference ; tlie fourth, II feet
in length, and 4 feet square. Each piece weighs from 5 to 0 tons. It apiioars
that the tree was cut down al.iout two years ago, but owing to its ponderous
weight there was no means of getting it removed until very recently, when an
extraordinary fresh occurring in the Richmond River it was floated down to
the vessel's side, and ship))ed with great difficulty, owing to the absence of
proper mechanical appliances.

Hahitat. — The best cedar is found from the Bellinger River, northwards
to the Richmond River, and throughout Queensland, especially in the
warmest and moistest districts. It is, however, found from the lUawarra
northAvards, in the Shoalhaven gullies, Bulli Mountain, Kowmung, and
thence northwards in increasing abundance until the northern rivers aro
reached. In localities to the south of Sydney the cedar is practically cut
out, the only remaining trees being in almost inaccessible situations,

So far as I can learn, the most southern cedar tree in New South Wales Is
at Tillowrie, Milton, on the property of my brother, William Cambage, growing
on igneous formation, and, of course, originally formed part of a brusii. This
si>ecies had most to do with first taking settlers to Milton and Flladulla, and,
in fact, to many other coastal spots. — (R. H. Cambage.)

An old log,, cut forty years ago at Otford, on the Illawarra Line (30 miles
south of Sydney), and found a few years ago, was over .5 feet in diameter,
and almost perfectly sound. This is an instance of the proximity of
merchantable cedar to Sydney at one time.

There is but little cedar on the Hawkesbury now; at one time it was
plentiful. At Sackville (just past Tizzana) is a large spreading red cedar
of several stems, by the banks of the river. This is one of the few remaining
Hawkesbury River cedar trees.

District Forester Swain, of ISTarrabri, says : — " I have found Red Cedar
growing in the Parish of Vant, County Hawes. I am wondering whether
this is not one of the most western localities in which it is known to groTP,'*
This is just north of the Upper Manning River.

133

The following list of New South Wales Timber Ecserves containing Red
Cedar is furnished by the Forest Department: —

County.

Reserve.

Remarks.

Clarke.
BuUer .

and Brake
and Olive

Dudley

Drake

Fitzroy

Grasham.

Oougb . .
Raleisli

Kou3

Sandon

1,662\
29,433/

4

1.120

24,267

33,219

158\
3,753/

6,369 1
9,999 I

11.452 f

11.453 (
22,413 I
27, 774 J

3541
19,418
20,6S7

1,608
0,670
6,479

1,433 [

14,641
34,088
34,089
34,090
34,031 J

240 \

4,3.53/

10,723)

31,841 y

33, 1 99 j
4,768

Matured and young cedar, mostly in gorges, in all
stages of growth.

Large quantities, matured and young.
Small quantities, in very rougii place.
Scattered matured and young in the ravines.
Small quantity, young.

A fairly large amount of matured cedar in patches ift
rough country ; good growth of young timber.

Moderate quantities of both matured and young cedar.

On some of these reserves there is a fairly large amount
of matured cedar in patches ; also, a large quantity
of young growth, well distributed. In most
instances the matured cedar is located in rough
and broken gullies or gorges ; large quantities are
now to be found in the watershed of the Macleay
and Nambucca Rivers.

Contains matured and young cedar.

Contains matured and young cedar, in small quantities,
in very rough localities.

Scattered cedar, mostly young.

Propagation. — Red Cedar grows most vigorously in the rich, moist,
alluvial flats and sloping ground of our ISTorthern Coast districts, particularly
so on the banks of creeks on the eastern slopes of the ranges, wdiere the
greatest shelter from the prevailing winds and shade are obtainable. Young-
plants may be successfully transplanted^ in such localities during the winter,
at which season at least 90 per cent, of the trees planted will survive, and
'grow at a rate of from' 3 to 5 feet annually. The cedar flourishes best when
planted in small open places in existing forests, where there is room for
the trees to mature, and they obtain the most shade, and are better protected
from the winds and the frosts than if planted in open ground. Too much
air and light is fatal to them. The brush plants nnist be allowed to grow-
up with them, care being obviously taken that they do not smother the
young cedar plants.

*Mr. Gamble says: " Seedlings are easily raised, but difficult to transplant,
rhe roots are surface-feeders, so that it ought not to be grown on the edges
Mf lickls." The.so remarks refer to the Indian tree, but they largely api)ly to
Dur red cedar also.

139

Seeds are rarely produced on cedar trees growin,£? in dense forests; but
trees, if planted in rich and modicrately moist soil in open places, Avill
animally produce seetl after they have attained the age of 6 to 8 years. If
the seeds be fresh and sound they readily germinate, but they are very liable
to deterioration, as has been already stated.

As an instance, however, of cedar seeds retaining their vitality for si
considerable period, ^Ir. Forester Brown, of Port Macquarie, relates, on the
authority of Mr. Donkin, that some land at Kirabriki, Manning Kiver, was
cleared. No cedar was then on it, no cedar trees near. There had been no
floods for years previously, yet twelve months afterwards numhers of young
cedars sprang up.

It is one of the very few Australian deciduous trees, although in the
■warmest districts it is semi-deciduous, or even evergreen. It is a beautiful
tree, and is well worthy of cultivation for that reason, apart from its value
for timber.

The following i)arti('ulars in regai'd to the cultivation and conservation
of Red Cedar arc of public interest. It is hoped that landowners in suitable
districts will see that it would be enlightened policy on their part to propa-
gate such valuable timbers as Ked Cedar. A few thousand well-planted and
well-tended cedars would be a valuable legacy.

Spasmodic attemi)ts have been made to reafforest the Red Cedar in this
State. The Forest Department planted some on the Dorrigo, but the
Ijlantations were neglected. Greater success has attended the small planta-
tions at Hogan's Brush, near Gosford,

The following I wrote nearly twenty years ago, but it may still be sug-
gestive : —

Mr. Breckenridge, at Failford, near Cape Ilawke, has the nucleus of a
good cedar plantation, lie has not gone to much expense in the matter; but
lias simply inexpensively fenced a part of the brush to keep cattle out.
Here and there, in the rich soil, he has dug a small hole, and put in a
seedling cedar. The young trees grow up with the rest of the vegetation,
and most of them are doing well. About all that is now done is to see that
the young cedars get fair play-— that is (say) that they are not choked out
of existence by some rampant growth. This very rarely happens, and
]iractically all the attention given is to keep one's eye on them during an
occasional walk in the bi-ush. There are numbers of young seedlings at the
head of Wollamba Creek, and it is Mr. Breckenridge's intention to add to
his plantation from that source. This little cedar plantation is a valuable
object-lesson to the hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of selectors and others
who have bits of brush land in the coast and coast mountain districts. An
inexpefisive fence, seedlings which can, usually be obtained in the district,
and which may be inexpensively planted about August, little labour and very
little supervision, and we have a cedar plantation. The plants grow u]i
under natural conditions; the brush land near creeks is often not utilised
at all under existing circumstances, and the land is being utilised with the
promise, in many cases, of yielding a fair interest for the outlay in (say)
thirty or forty years. Planting for posterity, perhaps; but forest plantinu-
(as distinct from forest conservation) is usually planting for posterity.
What militates against plantations, as ordinarily carried out, is the heavy
iuitial expenditure — expensive fences, heavy, and worse than useless clear-
ing, and costly non-residential supervision. I hope my readers will think
over the matter, and put in a small experimental patch next reason.

140

Mr. Ereckenridge's site is by no means perfectly favourable for the
experiment, the soil being scarcely suitable, and the site too near the sea.
On the Upper Paterson and Allyn and Williams Rivers (the late Mr.
Augustus Rudder told me) there is ample scope on their banks, where, with
unused rich land, good results would attend moderate effort to produce *
fine growth of cedar in considerable quantity, but it wouldi require more than
twenty or thirty years to mature it for market.

Re the growing of oin* Red Cedar, I have seen it in many places thriving well
in the open, where the soil was suitable. There were two on a property in
which I had an interest on the Macleay, where they were imder my observation
for over fifty years. When first seen one of them was about 15 inches in
diameter; the other about 18 inches. During the time mentioned, one increased
in girth to over 11 feet ; the other to over 12 feet. I do not think frosts injured
it at all. (Tlie late Mr. Augustus Rudder.)

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 9.

A. Flower— (fl) Calyx, (&) Petal, (c) Stamen. (<?) Stigma, (f) Ovary

half immersed in disk, (/) Pubescent disk.

B. Young flower.

c. Stamen, back and front view.

u. Capsule opening in five valves, leaving the dissepiments attached
to the persistent axi.s — («) Valve, (6) Dessepiment, (c) Seed.

E. Winged seeds.

F. Cluster of fruits.

Dysoxylum (Dysoxylon) Frasera^ium, Benth.

The Rosewood.

Botanical Name. — Dysoxylon, from two Greek words — dysodes or dysosmos
(foetid or ill-smelling), and xylon (wood), in allusion to the bad smeU
(usually of a garlic character) of some species. This odour is strongest in
some non- Australian timbers. In the species under notice, the odour of the
timber is the reverse of ill-smelling. Fraseranum, in honour of Charles
Fraser, first Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, who early
collected the plant.

Vernacular Name. — " Rosewood," because of the odour of the freshly-cut
timber. It retains this sweet perfume for an indefinite period.

Leaves. — ^Dark, and rather shining on the upper side, paler underneath^
leaflets 5-10, average length 2|-3 inches (W. Dunn, referring to living trees
on the Macpherson Range).

Flowers. — Mr. Dunn states it flowers in the late autumn; later than Red
Cedar. The flowers have a very agreeable smell.

Fruit. — " Of a pretty rosy red " when quite ripe.

Barh. — Often rather scaly; somewhat like Red Cedar.

Timher. — Characteristics : Of a reddish colour, and has a neat figure. Ha&.
a fragrant rose-odour. A timber of the mahogany class. Works splendidly,
shrinks little, and is of good appearance.

141

Spoakinc,- of a Queensland specimen sent to the Colonial and Indian
Exhibition, Mr. Allen Ransome says : —

This wood is of n reddish roloiu", witli a good figure. It worlicd oxcollently
iu the uiacliiues, and planes especially well. If it can be imported at a reason-
able price it might talie the place of mahogany.

A specimen from the Myall Lakes, New South Wales, strongly resembles
mahogany; but it has little figure. It is straight and close in the grain,
and a good working timber.

This wood reminds one of Cedar, but it is a little heavier, is of rather
a deader colour, and it is apt to tear a little under the plane, hence it
fetches only about half the price of Cedar in Sydney. But it polishes well,
and has a sheen which is very pretty.

' Young Rosewood has hardly any colour, but the perfume is sweet. Under
the axe it is a fairly hard timber. Straight iu grain, heavy, and beautifully-
coloured red in centre, the thin sap-wood bcinc- pale yellow; the bark is
slightly rough.

^Ir. Yabsley, of the Coraki saw-mills, says that itosowood will stand the
weather almost as well as any of the best hardwoods, and can be split.

As evidence of durability, some large logs of timber, moss-grown, yet still
sound, well-coloured, and emitting the usual fragrance when cut into, can
be seen in some of our bnish forests, with, large trees growing all around
them, and which have evidently come to maturity since the trees fell,
probably before the British settlement of Australia. Settlers often nse
Rosewood for house-blocks; they know its durability in this trying situation.
It resists both damp and white ants.

Principal Uses. — Furniture, cabinet-work, turnery, carving, and indoor-
\Aork of all kinds. It is used for newels, mouldings, and framing of all sorts.
Useful for show-case work, also for planes, levers, trundles, and studs in
roller-boards of organs, &c., window-jambs, screws of hand-screws, and any-
uses where a wood a little harder than softwood is required. Recent test-
uses are for bee-boxes, broom-handles, and wire-mattress frames. Has been
strongly reconnnended for wine-casks. It will split, and I am assured it;
imparts no taste to wine.

For boards for ballroom floors it is oxeelient ; I prefer it to Tallow-wood. —
(W. Dunn.)

Mr. Yabsley states that Rosewood can be put to more uses than any
timber we have in New South Wales, so far as he knows.

I desire now to draw attention to a timber for wine-casks which I had not
thought of for the purpose, until the late Mr. Thomas Bawden, of Grafton,
brought it under my notice in 1891. His remarks on such a subject demand
respect, for, as is well known, he gave a good^eal of attention to the utilisa'-
tion of our native products during thirty years and more. Mr. Bawden
says : —

With regard to wine-casks, and tlie iiroper wood for the purpose. I think you
will find Eosewood the very best. I know some years ago the late Richard
Bligh had some large vats and casks made of that timber, which suited admir-
ably, and certainly gave no taste to the wine. I yesterday asked an old wine-
grower of large experience what he thought best for wine vats or casks, and
he at once selected Rosewood, as giving no taste of a deleterious character to
the wine. He has tried Silky Oak. hut has condemned it,and has not been able
to get anything better than Rosewood.

142

T replied expressing doubt lest an odorous wood, of the nature of Rose-
%vood, would affect the bouquet of wines stored in it. In reply, Mr. Bawden
wrote : —

With regard to the Rosewood for casks. I have the assurance, in addition to
my own large experience, of one wlio lias been engaged in wine-making in this
district for the past thirty years, that the wood does not give any taste to the
wine. Might I suggest an experiment of a small piece of seasoned Rosewood
l»laced In a bottle of wine for a few months? Should the Rosewood turn out
as I believe it will, there are large quantities of it in this district.

I venture to express the hope that those who have tried Rosewood for
v/ine-casks will relate their exijerience, and that those will test it who have
facilities for so doing and have not yet done so. It is high time that such
an important matter was settled. I should also like to see exhaustive tests
made of the Red Bean (D. MueUeri), which may be described as a scentless
•Rosewood.

Dvaivhacl's to the Timber.

1. Its Oily Nature. — A drawback to this undoubtedly valuable timber is
the circumstance that it takes glue with difficulty, owing, perhaps, to some
oleaginous substance in it.

It is unsuitable for instrument cases. The following report sent in to the
Public Works Department explains the matter : —

A 5-inch theodolite was sent in for repairs, supply of some ])arts. and new
case, from Lands Department. New case was made of well-seasoned Colonial
Rosewood by Government Architect's Workshop, the new parts of the instrn-
ffiieut were lironzed and lacquered in the u.sual way. the other portion of the
instrument merely cleaned, and delivered to the Lands Department on *</2/0ri.
After about three months the ichoir of the instrument was ohserved to be
►sticky, and was subsetiuently returned to be cleaned off, rebronzed and
relacfiuered. which was done accordingly, and r(»tm-ued to Lands Department
<>u r>/7/0r>. Then again, it was reported to be sticky on the 2.S/S/0.", i)ecouiiug
Kimilar to wliat it was before. A small box was made of a piece of the same
vtood. and a piece of brass tube bronzed and lactpiered was i)laced in it <m
SO/S/05, and after about tliree months it was found to be quite sticky.

A similar thing lias happened to anotlier 5-inch theodolite, for which a new
rase was made of Colonial Rosewood for IJie Public Works Department on
].V'V05, and after lying in store was noticed to be the same on n/5/06 (original
lacquer aft'ected).

Also on a parellel I'uler that was placed in a Colonial Rosewood case.

Rosewood belongs to a group of plants called the Meliacea?, certain of
which contain an essential oil (in which is dissolved a resin) in their timber.
At the ordinary temperature of the air, and more readily on the application
of heat, this "solution of resin in oil evaporates and the resin is condensed
on any cool surface, preferably on metal or other conductor of heat.

Kijig George III had a valuable watch which caused his watchmaker a
jrood deal of trouble, when it was found that His Majesty often put it in a
drawer made of odoriferous wood, the resin contained in which clogged the
works.

The subject is worthy of exhaustive investigation which, so far as I am
aware, it has not yet received. Meantime, so far as Rosewood is cojicerned,
instruments should be kept in Red Cedar boxes.

143

2. lis alleged Special Tendency to Shal'iness. — Mr. Robert Kaleski, who
formerly resided on the Dorrigo, wrote to me some years ago: —

Rosewood grows about 120 to 100 feet, about 12 feet girth, sometimes round
in barrel, sometimes very spurry; dean barrel like rest of serub timber>-.
Faultiest tree for the mill in N.S.W.. apparently sound trees shaking and
splitting when broken down on the bench. Will not take glue, and will last for
posts and blocks about eight yeai's in the ground. Never loses scent; goes fur
same soil as Cedar. Mature trees nearly always rotten inside, often only a
shell; sort of white ant responsible for this; goes in at the bottom of spur-^
and works upwards. (Generally grows in clumps like Cedar. Belt runs from
W. to X.S. : large (juantity at X.E. to Paddy's Plain. Is at present being cut
for Germany for the mills. Very i)retty liguring. woolly to work, grain t«x>
short for building stuff. Farrly durable in weather; fair amount available.
Has re<l seed (fruit, J. II. M.) something like a small cherry.

Out of 100,000 feet standing, which I bought on speculation. I could only
find 30,0<X> to fall, and 40 per cent, of that proved to be faulty when down,
some appai'ently sound trees sjjlitting in halves, wlien liitting the gromid, from
«'nd to end. Its drawing weight is ,'JOO feet to a ton. Very liable to develop
shakes after being sawn a few weeks. Tree always unsound if dead branches;
on tojt. My own selection contained more Rosewood tlian any one I know of
on the Dorrigo.

This is an exact copy. In 1803 I wrote, after a careful inspection of the
Dorrigo : —

Rosewood. — A fine tree 5 feet (5 inches in diameter and 140 feet to the first
branch was seen, but although the nortliern portion of tlie Dorrigo is full of
Ro.sewood (merchantable), say 4 feet in diameter, it does not attain the same
magnificent dimensions that it does in parts of the coast districts.

Nearly all our brush timbers lack tensile strength, and, particularly when
they attain a large size, they require careful felling, otherwise the logs may
be injured. In Europe, the injury to timber in falling- is very carefully
guarded against, but here special precautions to break the fall of a largo
tree, e.g., by dropping it on smaller worthless timber, is very rarely thought
of. Cedar is often shaken by careless felling. I have already stated that
the Rosewood trees of the Dorrigo are not so fine as those of the coast belt,
and if the large percentage of over-mature trees on the Dorrigo be as statc(J'
by Mr. Kaleski, then the sooner, in any rational system of forestry, they are
cut out to make room for young- growth the better. Over-mature trees only
cumber the ground, and are a hindrance and a perplexity to the forester.

In view of Mr, Kaleski's ver.y strong language, " Faultiest tree for the
mill in N.S.W.," the following passage from the report of Mr. BoormaUj^
Collector, Botanic Gardens, to me, is interesting. He wrote me from the
Macpherson Range, and had never seen Mr. Kaleski's report : —

This (Rosewood) is a very large tree, of immense timber-producing 'qualities,
as, in addition to size, it is i>erfectly sound throughout.

I want to get at the truth in regard to our timbers. I always state their
alleged defects when I know them, for we must be as careful in stating
defects as in attributing excellencies.
Size. —
One of the largest trees in the district in which it is found, varying in heigtir
from 70 to 100 feet, and from 4 to ."» feet in diameter (C. Moore, loc. cit)

Tall and massive trees of 1(X)-140 feet, 20 to 30 feet at base. Acacia Creek,.
Slacphersou Range, N.S.W. (\V. Dunn and J. L. P.oorman.)

Following is another report from Mr. Boorman to me : —

It reaches the height of 80-140 feet, whilst its girth measurements are any-
thing between 20-40 feet.

144

' Here is another report from Mr. Dunn: —

You are aware tbe tree grows large in cireuuiference. although not so extra
tall. Yesterday I put a measuring tape around twelve of these standing
trees. The largest gave a girth of 18* feet, and the smallest 12 feet; the
Ijwelve averaged 16 feet in circumference, measured 5 feet from the ground-
To reckon each tree to carry a barrel 50 feet in length, with a mean or average
girth of IG feet, works out a return of 115,200 siii)er. feet; this, at 12d. per
100 feet super, (the present royalty rates liere on all brush timber other than
Pine [Hoop]), amounts to £57 12s. royalty.

It will thus he seen that the Rosewood is one of the giants amongst New
South Wales forest trees.

Ilahitat. — This is a " hrush "' or jungle timber found in northern New
South Wales from Wyong (a little north of the Ilawkesbury) to southern
QueenslaJid.

It was collected by Robert Brown on the Williams River, and, far later,
by Wilcox and Beckler on the Clarence River.

It is plentiful on the ranges at the head of the Richmond. (A. H. Yabsley,
Coraki.)

There is an abundant supply of Rosewood on the Clarence River watershed
o^fthe Macpherson Range, and the Tooloon and other brushes. (W. Dunn.)

It seems almost superfluous to give a list of localities.
, Following is a list of the N.S.W. Forest Reserves containing Rosewood
(February, 1905) :—

County.

S^o. of Forest Reserve.

Area.

BuUer

32,130

.3."i,944

37,004

38,397

6,264

11,111

37,568

196

201

202

354

355

642

19.418

20,667

1.608

36,928

7,974

61

62

256

4,353

acres.
21,512

12,310

36,800

8,500

Drake

9,000

900

Dudley

89,900

Durham

10,000

22,440

"

34,465

Fitzroy

4,800

5,760

20,778

1.098

"

3,380

Gresham

24,960

16,500

Hawes

1,280

960

1,820

94

64,331

Quantity Available. — Ptactieally unlimited. I look upon this as a valu-
able reserve timber. Its usefulness will be realised later on, when Cedar is
even scarcer than it is.

Speaking of the Macpherson Range, Mr. Boorman reports :-7-

This is perhaps more common than any other species of softwood, save
" Pine," forming huge trees, straight in barrel, producing an enormous anlbunt
of good timber, the supply being almost unlimited.

145

Tlie following statement was published in the Press in January, 1905,
under the authority of the Minister for Lands: —

8VPPJ.Y OF ROSEWOOD IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Minister for Lands having observed that the Commercial Agent in
liOndon had been informed that it would take New South Wales twelve months
to supply an order lor 2(K),000 feet of Kosewood, Red and Black Bean mixed,
and having regard to the fact (liat the supply of Rosewood — a timber eminently
suitable for furniture work — is stated In Maiden's "' Commercial Timbers of
New South Wales'' to be "practically unlimited." the Minister has caused
inquiry to be made, with the result that one saw-miller in the Bellingen district
lias intimated that he will undertake to supply 30,000 feet of Rosev.ood a
month, while another offers to sui)ply 2.')0.000 feet of this timber per annum.
One forest oHicer in the northern district says an order for 200.<)()0 feet of
Rosewood could he executed in his district in a very short time; and yet
another one reports that in three places alone in his district there are about
15,000,000 feet available.

The Minister has directed that this information shall be at once conveyed
to the Conunercial Agent.

The following extracts from a report are interesting: —

" Referring to your circular letter dated 2r)th Noveml)<>r. 1!X>4, asking to
be furnished with a rejiort on the statement made to the Commercial
Agent in London that it would take twelve months to supplv an order
of 200,000 feet of Itosewood, Black Bean, &c., I have the honour to
rei)ort that the statement is not correct, as on I-'orest Reserve No.
32,130, county of Buller, there is an area of 4 miles by 3 densely
covered with the best kinds of Rosewood, containing at the verj' lowest
estimate 3.000,000 superficial feet of matured_timber.

" In the parislies of Gore, Acacia, and Koreela, county of Buller, there is
an estimated (piantity of matured Rosewood of 0.000.000 superficial
feet, and in the iiarish of Beaury, county of Buller. 3,.5fK),000 superficial
feet, to say nothing of luimbers of other parishes all along the P^astern
Fall that contain (pnuitities of this timber.

" I forward an offer from the manager of the Federal Sawmill Company
of New South W;ik's to deliver, f.o.b., at Brisbane, 2:50,000 feet per
annum, and if any inducement were offered, two further mills could
be erected and each snpply the same annual output near the Queens-
land border at a railway station named bugandan. in Queensland.

" In addition to Rosewood. I estimate that 20,000.000 feet of the following
matured timbers could be supplied for export purposes at the Queeus-
land border, viz. :— Silky Oak, Tulipwood, Red and Black Bean, Native
Guava. White Cherry, Bonewood, Onionwood, Maiden's Blush, Tama-
rind, Cudgerie. Teak, Yellow-wood, Stavewood, Coachwood, &c., to say
nothing of Cedar and Hoop Pine.

" It only requires some inducement to open up an enormous trade with the
_ world in these excessively valuable timbers, which would find
enormous employment and revenue to the State."

The following, letter is written by a well-known timber expert: —

I have pleasure in assuring you that the supply of this particular orna-
mental and valuable timber (Rosewood) is practically unlimited, extending
over almost all the high land in the Eastern Division of this State, and I have
little doubt when its undoubted value becomes known abroad. Rosewood will
be found to be one of the largest exported of softwoods from New South
Wales. At present the price given for Rosewood is too low to pay teamsters
to Jiaul it ; but I can assure you there is a plentiful supply to be got, and no
doubt the price will be given later on, when it has proved its great value
abroad.

Following is the opinion of a Forest Officer: —

All that is required to find custom for this lovely wood is to dispatch a
million or so of suiwrficial feet of thoroughly matured timber to London or
Germany ; no other introduction is required. Its fame will soon be established

146

for all time, and the Coast sawmills will be kept in motion cntting Eosewood
day and night for years to come. I sincerely trust no allied species will be
exported ; if so, our trade may get disturbed, and the genuine material
imperilled. The virtues of Rosewood cannot be overrated; and no one knows
this better than yourself.

Again : —

There is a tremendous feature for this wood, and it is worthy of careful
nursing and protection, more esi>ecially as lied Cedar is now nearly extinct (iii
New South Wales). Rosewood alone is a most valuable asset to the State, and
I would go so far in championing its claims as to suggest special legislation
for its protection, i.e., have special Forest Reserves set apart for it where
abundant,— treat it and guard it as if it were one of the precious metals.

Surely something is economically wrong when we have a timber like this,
admittedly possessing properties which render it valuable, which has to be
destroyed because cut-throat competition prevents timber-haulers and
sawyers getting a living wage for hauling and cutting it.

Responsible buyers of New South Wales timbers in other countries have
told me, in practically these words: "You New South Wales people are a
pack of fools to give away your timber for the price you do; your timber
merchants are using its plentifulness for the purpose of cutting one another
out in foreign markets."

This is strong language, and it is for students of political economy to
suggest a remedy. Certainly the timber-fellers and haulers, and the owners
of country mills, do not reap much advantage from many kinds of colonial
timber.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 8;".

A. Flowering branch.

n. Flower, showing — («) Calyx, (b) Corolla, (r) Staniinal tube, {<!)
Stigma.

c. Flower opened out. showing — (a) Coroll.n, (b) Stamiual tube S to
10 toothed, (c) Tubular disc, (d) Pistil.

n. Anther.

K. Pistil. ' •

F. Fruits.

(!. Ripe ca])sule, showing four deep-orange coloured seeds.

IT. Part of capsule showing seed with arillus and manner of attach-
ment.

The Red Beax. ]

Dysoxylum {Dtjuoxylon) Muelleri, Benth.

Botanical Name. — Muelleri, in honour of the late Baron von Mueller.

Vernacular Names. — It bears various names, viz., " Pencil Cedar " and
" Turnip Wood," both given from the smell of the wood. " Red Bean " is,
however, the commonest name, and one not applied to any other tree, so-
far as I know. It gets its name because it is supposed to resemble tho
timber of the Black Bean {C astanospermum, australe) except in colour,,
which is rod, but the name is a little far-fetched.

Tim,l}er. — Red Bean may be described as a scentless Rosewood, of a red
colour, and possessing a neat figure. Both bark and sapwood have a strong,
turnip-like odour when fresh; it departs on drying. It is often sold iu
Sydney as Cedar or Bastard Cedar, but it is heavier than that wood, and

F. Fl., pi. 85.

DYSOXYLON FRASERANUM, Benth. (Rosewood.)

147

is of sufficient excellence to stand on its own merits. It is good furnituro
wood, and lias a quiet yet handsonnc figure that looks well under polish.
It can be put to most of the uses that Spanish Mahogany is put. I have
heard that it is considered valuable for the naves of wheels in the districts in
which it grows.

Following is an extract from a letter written by the late Mr. Thomas
Bawden, of Grafton, to me in 1891. lie sent me twigs of D. Muelleri: —

" There are many other vuluable timbers in the Dorrigo brushes, amongst
othei's the I'enc-il Cedai", a use for which 1 leiirnt, ])revioasly unknown to me;
I was shown a pah- of old dray wheel naves made of Pencil Cedar, some
twenty-five years ago. Hitherto I have thought Apple-tree was the most
suitable timber we had for that purpose, but this piece would serve to show
that the Pencil Cedar is eciually as good."

Locally it is used for cabinet-work, flooring, lining, and ceilings of houses.

Habitat. — It is a brush ti'ee belonging to the coastal districts, and probably
extending a good deal into the rich brush forests in the upi>er parts of the
rivers. It is a native of our Northern Rivers, particularly the Clarence,
Richmond, and Tweed. As regards Queensland, Mr. F. M. Bailey, in his
Queensland Flora, gives " Brisbane River, Moreton Bay, and other southern
parts." John Dallachy found it on the Herbert River, so that its range
may be defined from the Clarence to Central Queenslaaid. As rejgards N^ew
South Wales, it should be looked for on the Bellinger, Macleay, and
Hastings Rivers.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 101.

A. Leaf reduced in size one half.

B. I^eaflet. natural size.

c. Part of flowering branch.

D. Flower. (N.B — 8taminal tube yellow outside in a fresh state.)

E. Flower, opened out, showing — («) (Corolla, (ft) Staminal tube, (c)

Tubular disc (orange-coloured in fresh state), (rf) Pistil.

F. Calyx and pistil.
o. Anther.

H. Fruits.

Oicenia cepiodora, F.v.M.

The Oniox Wood.

Botanical Name. — Owenia, in honour of the late Sir Rrdiard Owen, the
great comparative anatomist of the British Museum; cepiodora, from two
Latin words — cepa (caepa), an onion, and odor, a smell or odour.

Vernacular Name. — " Onionwood " or " Bog Onion." The timber smells
like decayed onions, though often a newly-cut plank has a smell resembling
ivatermelons.

There is often a gradation of " pleasant "' and " unpleasant " odour
in the same plant. The matter seems worthy of chemical investigation.
The onion smell is not alwaj's present in this species, being replaced by a
melon or pumpkin odour.

Aboriginal Name. — Called " Ingmunyon " by the aborigines, "Bog
Onion Tree" by thle white settlers (Mueller, in original description). The
late Mr. Alfred Cadell once sent me specimens of this tree with a message

148

that the aboriginal name was Boggunyan." I would suggest that neither
" Ingmunyon " nor " Boggunyan " are true aboriginal names, but were used
by the blacks in imitation of the settlers' names of " Onion " or " Bog
Onion."

Timber. — This is a useful wood of the cedar class — the wood, in fact,
being often sold as Bastard Cedar. The name (Onionwood) is owing to
the smell of the wood, which is fugitive, and therefore not offensive. Used
for the same purposes as Cedar.

Size. — A medium-sized tree. Average height 100 feet, with a diameter
of 18 inches (Forester Pope). Mr. W. Baeuerlen, then of Tintenbar, gives
the height'at 40 to 50 feet, with a stem-diameter of 1 foot.

Habitat. — This tree is confined, so far as is at present known, to the
brushes of Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland.

Very little in Clarence River district, but plentiful in the Richmond River
district. Found scattered about in nearly all the brush forests of the Tweed,
wherever the soil is inclined to be rich. (Forester Pope.) It grows plenti-
fully in Forest Reserve 1,120 (Casino district).

What the southern limit of this tree is we do not know. It appears to
become scarce south of the Clarence. It extends into Queensland, Mr.
!F. M. Bailey giving the locality simply as " southern scrubs."

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 115.

A. Leaf, shown in outline, one leaflet showing venation.

B. Panicle of flowers,
c. Young flower.

D. Flower, the petals (5) removed, showing — (a) Bracts, {!)) Calyx,

(c) Staminal tube, bearing 10 anthers, {cl) Petal.

E. Staminal tube, opened out (outside).

F. Portion of staminal tube, opened out (inside).

G. Pistil— (0) Disc, (6) Ovary, (c) Style, {d) Stigma.
H. Transverse section of ovary.

K. Fruit.

L. Portion of stem, showing leaf scars.

Melia Azedarach, L. var. australasica, 0. DO.

The White Cedar.

Botanical Name. — Melia, the Greek name of the Manna Ash (Fraxiniis
Ornus), and applied to this tree because of a supposed resemblance of its
leaves to those of the Ash; Azedarach, from the Persian " Azad-darkht,"
the name more strictly applied to M. Azadirachia, the common Indian
" Neem " tree, but applied by Linnaeus to a closely-related congener.

Vernacular Names. — ^Universally known in Australian as " White Cedar.'^
In other countries it has other names. In India it is known as " Persian
Lilac," also as "Bastard Cedar" and "Bead Tree" (the last because the
fruits, with the pulp removed, are strung together as beads, and for
rosaries).

F. F(., pi. lib.

'/iyy )

OWENIA CEPIODORA, F.v. M. (Onion Wood.)

149

Flowers. — It bears a profusion of fragrant lilac-coloured flo:wers, hence
one of its vernacular names.

Fruit. — On the 22nd October, 1888, the honorary secretary of the Adelong
School Board wrote : —

Reeoutly a pupil of the Atlelong Public School was takeu suddenly and
seriously Ul, apparently having eaten something oi a poisonous nature. She
stated to her doctor that she ate some berries that grow on the \Vhite Cedar
trees in the playground.

I would invite my readers' attention to the following data collected by
me and published in the Agricultural Gazette under the heading " The
alleged poisonous nature of White Cedar berries.''

Here is quite a recent report: —

Penrith. — Three pigs belonging to Mr. W. Magrath, of Emu Plains, hare
b^en poisoned through eating White Cedar berries. Several other pigs died
some months ago from the same cause. — (January, 190G.)

At the same time tlie cedar berries are not always poisonous to pigs —
either because pigs do not often eat them, or because they do not feed
solely upon them. I believe that if pigs are not allowed to get too hungry
there is not the slightest danger to be feared from this tree. At the same
time, I admit that it would be desirable to make a careful inquiry in
regard to/this very common tree, under the superintendence of a veterinary
surgeon.

The (Harden and Field of Adelaide, for September, gives the following, which
occurred in South Australia : — " A White Cedar tree requiring pruning, the
surplus branches were cut off and thrown over the fence into a paddock.
Several pigs and cows picked off and ate the berries. The result was that
the pigs died and the cows became very ill, but recovered after three or four
days — one effect being a falling off in milk in the one day from half a bucket
to a cupful. Mr. Bagshaw was at first unable to account for the sudden death
of his pigs, but on cutting them open found the berries in their stomachs. Sir.
Ilaekott states that in some places pulp of the berries of the White Cedar is
used for poisoning dogs, being mixed with fat for the purpose." (Agric. Gaz.
N.8.W., Nov., 1893, p. 853.)

Dr. Burton Brown records a case in which a European girl ate the berries,
became insensible, and died. Descourtilz says that six to eight seeds cause
nausea, spasm, and cholera symptoms, sometimes followed by death. {Dic-
tionary of the Economic Products of India.)

Waring {Pharmacopoeia of India) says: — "Poisonous properties have been
attributed to the fresh berries and leaves."

Mr. Thos. Loxton. Lower Portland, writes : — " Re article in July number
of the Gazette, entitled ' Alleged Poisonous Nature of White Cedar Berries,'
it may interest you to know that the farmers of the Hawkesbury River have
no doubt at all that the White Cedar berry poisons pigs. I have myself lost
the best one of three sows this season, and the verdict of my neighbours is
that she was poisoned by cedar berries, which were lying thick on the ground.
She was the greediest feeder of the three, but the other two, which were
removed at once from the run, showed no symptoms of poisoning. One farmer
says that the seed forms a hard lump or lumps in the bowels, and thus kills.
They do not seem to hurt birds, some varieties of which are very fond of
them, notably the green pigeon of the Richmond River, which, when these
berries are ripe, gets so fat and lazy as to be very easily shot."

Mr. S. Pegum, Camperdown Farm, Brownlow Hill, Camden, states:

"Referring to the poisonous nature of the berries of the White Cedar, noted
in the July number of the Gazette, an instance occurred here not long since
causing the death of twenty-seven fat pigs. A mob of pigs en route to Sydney,
having been three days on the road from Upper Burragorang, while waiting
to be trucked at Camden, were driven into a paddock close to the station, so

150

that they misht rest under the shade of some White Cedars srowing there.
Some of the pijis hiy down to rest, else all might have died: others com-
menced feeding? on the berries scattered around under the trees, with the
result that twenty-seven were dead next niorninj? when the train arrived in
Sydney. The dead pigs l>elonge<l to different owners, some to the man in
charge, who was wanting in neither experience, forethouglit, nor intelligence,
having shippetl some thousands of pigs to Sydney at different times, and
though reared almost within sight of these cedar trees was not aware of the
poisonous nature of their berries, and I think very few are; so to let the fact
be well known would undoubtedly be a public service. As they form desirable
shade trees, with pleasing foliage and flowers, and are quick growers, farmers
nnd municipalities, unaware of tlie toxic properties of their berries, may be
induced to plant them, and injury result."' {Aqnc. Ga::. ^.S.W., Sept.. 1800.
p. 5G4.)

In connection with the " Alleged Poisonous Xature of White Cedar Berries."
we have just received the following letter from ]Mr. Edward Gibson, of Figtree.
near Wollongong: — "I saw a question asked in the last Af/riculturai Gazette
as to whether any of your readers had ever had any pigs j)oisoned with White
Cedar berries. About twelve years ago, when I lived at Dapto. I had thirty
or forty store pigs in the pig paddock. The gate into the pig paddock was by
some means left open, and the pigs got into an adjoining paddock where the
were a lot of White Cedar trees, the seeds of which were lying thick on the
ground. When I went to fetch the pigs home, Ave or six died on the Avay.
find six more died when they came to the house. We did not know ;it all what
was the cause of the mortality at the time, so 1 opened one of them and
found its stomach full of the l)erries. After that we ringl)arked the trees
and destroyed all the beri'ies on the ground, with the result that although
the pigs were running in the i)addock afterwards we never had any more
deaths from that cause." (Apric. Ga;:. X.SAV., Oct., lS9(i, p. (jn2.)

Mr. S. Pegum. of Camperdowu Farm, Brownlo\V llill, Cainden, writing on
this subject, says: —

*• Three small pigs ate some White Cedar berries. They sooti jifter became
very ill. unable to stand or move, heart beating feebly, with occasional sjias-
luodic shudderings, apparently in a forward direction: limbs cold, eyes well
open, but not fixed or staring. Being of opinion that tliey were jioisoned l)y
the prussic acid contained in the kernels of the berries, for experiment. I took
one of the pigs wlio seemed at the time in c.rtrcinis (could not raise a s(]ueal.'
even), and treated him accordingly, viz., ])ut him at once into a warm bath,
and as soon as it could be got ready, gave the whites of two eggs beaten up
and a full teaspoon of baking soda In some warm milk and ginger. Then i>ui
him into a sugar l)ag with a warm brick and left him for the night well
covered up, nice and snug, in a warm place. All this time, if he was not
* as dead at Julius Ctesjir,' he was (piite as unable to stand or move, being
quite passive to all the treatment, which did not take many minutes, neither
S([ueaking nor kicking. I do not know h<iw long it took him to get well, but
in the morning he \mis <iulte recovered, and what with the liath, &c.. he looked
none the worse for the trouble, being able to run about and eat as usual. The
other two pigs died. Examination showed that the.v had eaten about a small
■pannikinful of the berries, which vrere crunched and scarcelv at all digested.
(Af/rk: Gaz: A'.S.W.. Oct., 1897. pp. 7t)0-l.)

Mr. P. 11. Morton, ]M.P., has informed me of two separate cases of the death
of pigs (one lot travelling) through eating White Cedar berries in the INIus-
wellbrook district. {A;/ric. Ga~. A./SMF., July, 1898, p. 741.)

Timber. — This timber is coarse, soft, and easily worked, but not in very-
good repute. At the same time, it is used in country districts. For example,
it has been used for pedestals of tables at Taree; also for mouldings and
architraves. It was at one time used for shingles, which arc, however, of
nn inferior kind.

The rings in New South Wales specimens are very distinct, and their
markings give the timber a rich, wavy appearance, w^hich is best exhibited
in a vertical section. The wood is a pale yellowish-brown, which appear?
of a rich warm brown under polish.

r. i-i.. PI. yo.

MELIA AZEDARACH, L. (White Cedar.)

151

Following is Indian testimony concerning it: —

" Betidonie, Braudis, and Kurz all say it warps and splits, but Mr. Halsey,
of Madhopur, writes to say it is eipially useful green or seasoncxl. Our speci-
men split only very slightly, and we are inclined to think it is better than it
is supposed to be. It is handsomely marked, and ix)lishes well. Its weight is
from 30 to 38 lb. per cubic foot.'' (Gamble, Manual of Indian Timbers.)

Gamble, in his 2ndi Edition, says : —

The wofxl was used at tlie Imperial Forest School for museum cases and
other furniture, and behaved (piite well.

I trust that through trials of this timber will be made in Nevp Soutli
Wales, and that the results will be published. The tree belongs to the
Cedar class, a very useful group of woods. Perhaps in New South Wales
it is despised because it grows so readily.

Size. — Height from 40 to 60 feet, with a diameter of 2 to 3 feet. A fine
umbrageous tree.

Habitat. — It is not rare in moist places in northern brush forests, and
ill good land in more open forests. It extends from the Illawarra, New
South Wales, along the coast and coast districts to North Australia. Its
precise southern range I do not know. In sending specimens for record,
it is of course necessary to exercise caution that they are taken from
naturally-grown trees, since the species is so often cultivated.

Propagation. — This is one of our few native deciduous trees. It is so
hardy and such a rapid grower that it is one of the native trees most culti-
vated in its own country. Although a native of the coast districts, it will
grow iidand to a considerable distance, being very resistant to drought. It
is a charming shade tree, and if any pains were taken with its cultivation
(which is not often the case), it would be more admired than it its. It is-
so tolerant to bad usage that it gets plenty of it.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 96.

A. Portion of leaf, showing leaflets.

B. Flowering branch.

c. Bud. one petal removed to show staminal tube.
D. Staminal tube, opened out.
K. Stamens.

F. Portion of flower, showing — (o) Pistil, (h) Disc.

G. Vertical section of ovary.

II. Transverse section of ovary.
K. Fruits (natural size).
L. Seed.
M. Transverse section of seed.

152

The Pines.

1. Araucaria Cunninghamii (Richmond River Pine).

2. Callitris (Cypress Pines).

3. Podocarpus elata (She Pine).

Araucaria Cunninghamii, Ait.

Richmond River or Hoop Pine.

Botanical name. — Araucaria, from Araucanos, the name of one of these
Fiiles {A. imbricata) in Chili; Cunninghamii, after Allan Cunningham,
who held the appointment of King's Botanist in Australia, and whose
services to Australian botany and geographical exploration are alike
immortal. An obelisk to his memory is to be seen in the Sydney Botanic
Oardens, of which he was at one time Superintendent.

Vernacular Names. — It is almost universally known in the Sydney market
?tS " Colonial Pine," so we cannot disturb the name now. Another name is
*' Moreton Bay Pine," because large quantities used to be shipped from
southern Queensland (or Moreton Bay, as the settlement was called). In
northern New South Wales the timber often goes under the name of " White
Pine " or " Richmond River Pine." For the origin of the term *' Hoop
Pine," often applied to it, see Bark (below).

Leaves. — The leaves are prickly and small, say a quarter to half an inch
long. They are crowded in dense spires.

Flowers. — The flowers are usually dioecious — that is to say, liaving the males
and females on distinct plants. Tlae male amenta (catkins) are stalkless,
cylindrical, very dense, from 2 to 3 inches long, and from 3 to 4 lines in
diameter. What a catkin of this particular tree is like may be seen from
the drawing. It will be observed that they form the thickened, club-shaped
€nds of the twigs. A catkin, in botany, is a form of spike in which the
flowers are incomplete (to use a botanical expression), wanting either
stamens or pistil — of course, the latter in the present instance.

Fruit. — This is a cone, and it is somewhat egg-shaped (ovoid), about 3
inches long and 2 inches in diameter, containing numerous, closely over-
lapping scales. This swollen egg-shaped portion reminds one of a fuller's
teazle, and contains the seeds (very much smaller than Bunya Bunya seed,
Araucaria Bidwilli) ; this, of course, represents the female portion of the
plant. The seeds are flattened, and contained in the scale. The appearance
of the cone and scale can be readily made out from the drawing.

Bai-lc. — The bark is brown to black, not thick, and has circular horizontal
markings. It peels off horizontally in tough, fibrous flakes. Owing, in some
Tiicasure to the resin it contains, and also to its tough nature, it does not
readily decay on exposure. The timber itself is peculiarly liable to decay
^nder such circumstances, and so it happens when a tree is felled in the

153

forest and chopped into lengths, if allowed to remain, all the wood disappears^
leaving the hark as a '' hoop " or natural pipe, reminding one of a pipe for
water supply. Hence the name " Hoop Pine " often given to this tree.

Timhcr. — This is so well known to the people in the coastal districts of
the State that it would almost seem unnecessary to describe its appearance.
It is our principal cheap softwood, taking the place of the Deal of P]urope
for packing-cases and other rough purposes. Tt is strong and durable when
dry, and lasts well for such purposes as punt-hottoms when kept constantly
wet, but it will not stand being kept alternately wet and dry. It is exten-
sively used for flooring and lining boards, and for the various purposes to
Mhich softwoods are usually put. It is apt to get of a dirty colour with age.

Most jilanks of Colonial Pine show more or less of what may be compared
to a bird's-eye maple figure; in fact, the presence of these markings is a
ready diagnostic test of the timber, as a rule. In selected planks they are
very numerous, and bring this wood into the category of ornamental
timbers. Selected Colonial Pine of thjs character looks really well when
made u)) into bedroom furniture, linen "presses, &c. A piece of Colonial
Pine was thus described in the report of the London International Exhi-
bition of 18r>2: — "A noble specimen, which is remarkable for the peculiar
figure set up, by a series of remote, small, pea-shaped, pale, clouded knots,
arranged in quincunx order, somewhat like drops of rain in general effect,
and not easily described."

It does not seem to be generally known how excellent a material for
carving this wood is. It is, of course, somewhat brittle, but Avhen seasoned
this is reduced to a minimum. I had in my keeping a large carved bracket
of Acanthus leaves in Colonial Pine, and it showed no trace of warping.

Colonial Pine used at one time to be in great request for spars for ships,.
as it was readily obtainable in lengths from 80 to 100 feet, but it is rather
brittle for this purpose.

Pine for Bnfter-hoxes. — I wrote, many years ago: —

There is one use. and an increasingly important one, to which Colonial Pine
may be put, and I ask our Hichniond and (^'larence River millers to take it to
heart. I allude to hutter-boxes. An enormous quantity is requlre^l every
year for New South Wales butter, and yet this colony, with all its pine forests,
fails to supply timber to case its own butter. I believe the wood to be a
suitable one for tlie purpo.se, but .some of our northern saw-millers Iiardly
realise that they are allowing a good trade to slip away. Colonial Pine is
•very lifiht when well seasoned, and it may be cheaply coated with a thin
layer of paraflin, if necessary.

In August, 1905, the Minister for Agriculture, of Queensland, received a
report from Mr. Thomson, Government Dairy Expert, on the allegations
made in the Southern States that Queensland Pine (the same as our Rich-
mond River or Hoop Pine), when used as boxes, tainted the butter. The
report contains the following conclusions: — 1. The charges against Queens-
land Pine for butter-boxes have been disproved by practical and scientific
examination, and the results show that the Pine is admirably adapted for
the export butter trade. 2. The practical tests carried out at the Queensknd
Meat Export Works, Pinkenba, were of great severity, and any weakness in
the Pine would have been conveyed to the butter before the expiry of the
investigation. 3, A searching examination of the export butter, conducted
by the grading inspectors of the Department of Agriculture, has not revealed
the slightest suspicion that the wood contains injurious properties. 4. The
best results in the experiments were obtained from wood treated Avitk
paraffin wax and single parchment.

154

In December of the same year the Sydney Morning Herald had the foll<)w-
ing statement: —

The controversy concerning the merits of Queensland Pine for butter- boxes
still continues, and no practical progress lias been made towards a settlement
of the question. The authorities in Queensland declare that the Pine is
eminently suitable, and that it does not import any taint to the butter. On
the other hand, factory managers and directors in New South Wales have
stated that a taint in butter put up in this timber is common, while some
butter men who buy in the Sydney market unhesitatingly reject butter which
is so packed. It is, however, pretty well known that butter packed in Queens-
land Pine often opens without any tint, and some people in the trade are
beginning to believe that the real cause of the trouble is that the Pine on low-
lying ground taints the article, while that on higher levels does not do any
injury. A te.st was recently instituted by the Chief Dairy Expert, and yester-
day two boxes of butter were examined at the Government Cold Storage Depot
in Pyrmont. These boxes were taken from the same churning at a Hunter
Kiver factory, one being of Queensland and the other of New Zealand timber.
The butter was placed in cold storage for a time, and was taken out two days
before the examination, so that it might be in about the same condition in
wliich butter usually appears on the grocer's counter. Yesterday the boxes
were brought out with the ousides covered so that the wood could not be
recognisetl. Mr. O'Callaghan and an expert in the trade then made a very
careful examination, driving the trier down several times beside the wood and
withdramng samples. The butter was then turned out of the boxes, and again
*'xamined very carefully. Each of tlie experts detected a slight woody flavour
In one box, but it could not l)e described as a taint, and was not sufficient to
affect the sale of the butter. The box turned out to be that made of Queensland
Pine, but the experts were satisfletl tliat if both butters were offered for sale
there would not be a hair's difference in the price. So far as it goes the test
provetl that butter put up and kept under ordinary conditions in Queensland
Pine was not depreciated in value; but whether this result can be safely
taken as a guide to what would happend if large quantities were packed in
this wood is problematic.

The " White Pine," or '' Kahikitea," of New Zealand, largely used for
butter packing is known to botanists as Podocarpus dacrydioides, A. Richard.

The latest information I have on the subject is as follows : —

We do not know of any butter factories in New South Wales that are using
local oi' Queensland timljers in butter-boxes.

The same trouble of years ago exists to-day, — that is. boxes from our Pine
impart a strong woody or unpleasant flavour to the butter packed in them.
The same remarks apply to New Zealand White Pine that has not been
properly seasoned, and in this respect we have had a great deal of trouble
lately. (The Managei", N.S.W. Fresh Food and Ice Co., Ltd., Sydney, in letter
to me dated 23rd September, 1908.)

Xo wood should be used unless it is properly seasoned.

Size. — Up to 150 feet high, and a diameter of 4 or 5 feet on the Richmond
River, where it attains its greatest development. It is much smaller on the
Clarence and Bellinger.

Hahitat. — It occurs from the high country north of the Hastings River,
along the ranges which skirt the coast, and also in brush land on the
Clarence, Richmond, &c., and so on into Queensland.

Colonial Pine is no exception to the very general rule that the timber
obtained from high lands is far superior to that obtained from the low-lying
lands of the coast. As regards the range of this tree, the Hon. W. Pettigrew,
M.L.C., formerly a timber merchant, says :

This useful tree grows in scrubs over a large extent of country. It grows
up to Cardwell, in Queensland, in the 18th degree of latitude. It grows in a

F. Fl., pi. 131.

ARAUCARIA CUNNINGHAMII, Ait. (Richmond River or Hoop Pine.)

155

yiviit variety of soils — somo on saiul, as at Tin-ran Ray; on the Brisbane
slate, as at the upper part of the North and South I'ine Kivors, Ithaca Creeky
and EnoRsiera ('re(>lc ; on the Devonian slate, as at Mosjiill ('reek; and on
l)asalt coveriufj; coal-shale, as at the Rosewood Scrub to the west of Ipswich.
When this IMne srows on anythinuj like level ground, farmers know- the.y can
j?row maize, sugar-cane. &c., and, therefore, many pine-scrul>s are cleared for
cultivation, to the injury of the country from the timber-merchant's point of
view.

The Catalofruo of the Quensland Forestry Museum (1904) says: —

Abundant in many of i>ur coastal scrubs fi-om the Maci)herson Range in the
soTitli to (Jladstone; also in the Ipswich, Toowooomba, Warwick, Nauango,
Mackay, and Koweu districts.

It has been found to occur in Papua, at an elevation of 10,000 feet.

Propagation. — From seed, which, however, soon loses its germinating*
power, and in order that it may travel long distances safely, it is safest to
either sow it in Wardiau cases, or to pack it in charcoal. It is cultivated
for ornamental purposes, and Mr. Walter Hill thus enthusiastically speaks
of it: — '^ This majestic tree is, without exception, the most ornamental and
useful tree iu Queensland. Its beautiful regular pyramidical form, and the
sombre green of its awl-shaped foliage, command general admiration."

It is, indeed, in my view, handsomer than the Norfolk Island Pine (A.
excelsa), which is much more cultivated, but it does not appear to be sa
hardy under cultivation as that species, and is much more liable to suffer
by the wind.

See p. 903 of my article on Conifers in the Agricultural Gazette of
N.S.W. for December, 1907.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 131.

A. Twig, young growth.

It. Twig bearing staminiferous flowers (male amenta or catkins).

c, D. Stamens, with 4 or ."» anther-cells.

(N.B. — A stamen can only have one anther; the anther has in

I'haneroganife generally 2 cells, but in Ooniferaj from few to

uumei'ous cells.)
K. Unfertilized fruiting cone.

V, G. Vertical sections of two different unfertilized finiiting cones.
H. Seed, adnate to the scale.
I. Mature cone.

The Cyprkss Pinks of New South Wales. j

Genus Callitris.

Habitat. — As a very general rule the trees are of a neat pyramidal shai)e,
e.g., C. rohusta. Sometimes they are of a more or less pendent habit at the
top, e.g., C. cMpressiformis. C. verrucosa is also Avithout a main stem,
forming a congeries of thin stems from a woody stock, somewhat after the
fashion of a mallee.

Fruits. — They vary much in size; those of C. cupressiformis are the
smallest, while those of C. verrucosa and C. propinqua are the largest.
They usually persist on the branches for many years. C. rohusta and C.
cupressiformis, for example, appear to be an exception in this respect. In
these species one can always find large juimbers under the trees and on the
young wood, but in some other species, e.g., verrucosa and propinqua, they
lire always on old wood.

156

The fruits can be provisionally classified according to the columella,
\ iz. : —

Columella, a single triangular pyramid: verrucosa^ rohusta, columellaris,
propinqua, Muelleri. Columella, more than one, and irregular in shape
(perhaps formed of aborted ovules) : calcarata, cupressiformis, Macleayana.

Some of the fruits have points on the scales 'or valves. For example,
C. calcarata was specifically named because of these points. They are
marked in C. cupressiformis, particularly in the variety mucronata. The
fruits of C. verrucosa are covered ^Yith rounded wart-like swellings, as has
already been stated.

i?ar/.-.— -Messrs. Baker and Smith have drawn attention to the astringent
properties of the bark of the Cypress Fines, and are endeavouring to
-develop the industry of employing it for tanning. Previously it was rejected
as useless.

Timber. — The following notes are of a general character; others will be
fqund under each species : —

Characteristics. — Its pleasant odour — camphoraceous, or sometimes
reminding one of sandal-wood. Its great power of resistance to insect pests
— it is said to be absolutely resistant to white ant, but that is overstating
the case. Messrs. Sulman aiid Fower, architects, in 1893 showed me a piece
of Cypress Fine that had been undoubtedly attacked by white ants. Never-
theless, Cypress Fine is about the very last timber that white ants will
attack. It lasts well in the ground, yet it is not the most durable timber for
posts in parts of our western districts, but its great practical advantage is
the facility with which it splits. Some of the species, the Red or Black
Pine in particular, produce very showy timber; in fact, many of the planks
are so gorgeous in appearance that care is required in using it for decora-
tive purposes lest it should have too overpowering an effect. At the same
time, much of the timber is of a quiet, haiidsome character. The prevailing
colour of the figure is brown of various shades. Drawbacks to Cypress Pine
timber are its brittleness; it has none of the soft yielding characters of
Baltic Deal or Califomian Redwood. It Avill therefore stand but little
transverse strain, and a nail can hardly be driven into the wood without
previous boring, for fear of splitting the timber. Another drawback is its
great inflammability. It may readily be dressed up to a smooth and glossy
surface.

Principal Uses. — It is extensively used in buildings liable to attack by
v.hite ants ; and I think if its value were better known in the coast districts
it would be employed to a greater extent. It is used to an enormous extent a
couple of hundred rniles or more back !f rom the coast for house-blocks, linings',
and ceilings of houses. Land carriage would effectually stand in the way of
our profitably shipping this timber, even if an outside demand were to spring
up for it, of which we have no evidence at present. It is one of the most
luxurious firewoods I know of; it burns well, and in burning emits a delicious
fragrance very generally admired. My idea is that the small pieces pro-
duced in sawmills would sell at a remunerative price, as a superior kind of
fuel for drawing-rooms, &c., if people coiild only readily obtain it. This
may appear to be only a trifling matter, but I think that minor uses of our
timbers (and above all, utilisation of waste) should be looked to. In
developing such enterprises of magnitude as the wood-block trade, or the
getting out of railway sleepers and timbers for bridge work, we should not
lose sight of the smaller possibilities of some of our timbers. Nevertheless,

167

Mr. Forester J. G. Postlethwaite, of Grenfell, a man of great experience
witii western timbers, being asked to give a list of the best six fuel woods
of his district, adds this caution : —

I do not give Pine as a good fuel wood for general use, as it is too dana;erons,
tlirowing out sparks and burning too fiercely, but it is the best for heating
boilers and bakers' ovens.

The ordinary " Colonial Pine " of the Sydney market is the Richmond
River Pine, called also Hoop Pine, White Pine, or Maryborough Pine
(Araucaria Cunnivghamii). Cypress Pino is often known as Colonial Pine
in the districts in which it grows, and confusion has arisen, ere now, m
interpreting " Colonial Pine " in contracts.

White Ants and Cypress Pine.—l have already refern^d to the fact that
while this pine is very resistant it is not absolutely so. Following is some
evidence in the matter : —

If onlv fully matured tinihor Ite used, tliat is the dark yellow-coloured wood,
ants will not touch it. It is only the light yellow-coloured timber (which is cut
from trees not fully grown or matured) that the ants will jittack. I find from
inquiries that white ants attack this timber cither growing or when fallen, so
far as the sapwood and bark is concerned. They will also attack the fresh cut
timber before the sap dries. There are four varieties recognised in the western
districts. (.T. V. de Coque.) These are white, red, and yellow (see C. rohnsta),
and black (C. calcanttn), which last timber Mr. de Coque issues a warning
against.

Both Black and White Pine are of a very durable quality, and are exten-
sively used hi the building trade, for which they are mucli prized on account of
their white ant resisting (jualities. I havo examined pine timber that has been
in use in buildings for forty years, and find it still perfctly sound. I consider
it is a great oversight that this timber is not introduced by the building trades
into Sydney, where the white ant is so destructive. (Forester Condell,
Narrandera.)

A house in my district is built of hardwood, with the exception of the ceil-
ings and lining-boards. A set of jtiwon-holes, U feet x 4- feet, made out of
imported pine, in one of i\w rooms, is. together with all the wood in the build-
ing, excepting our own colonial ])in(> cht in the district, .showing signs of white
ants. The palings round this building are also of imported pine, and although
only of seven year.s' standing they have now to be pulled down on account of
the white ants eating the boards, and replaced by palings made out of the
locally-grown ])iue. Other houses in the same town, with palings of Colonial
Pine, standing over fifteen years, show no signs of white ants. (Forester
Harris, Gunnedah.)

Exudation {Australian Saiidarac). — it was a specimen of resin from the
Oyster Bay Pine of Tasmania (C cupressiformis, var. tasmanica) , sent to
the Exhibition of 1851, which first drew the attention of exi^erts to the
possibilities of Australian Sandarac.

This is one of the most valuable of Australian vegetable products ; a
market is ready for it, and it seems strange that it should have been so
much neglected. There are no statistics available in regard to the importa-
tion of Sandarac into these colonies, but to bring it here at all is a vin-itable
" carrying coals to Newcastle."

It is a matter of common observation, that a number of raw vegetable
products of more or less importance are going to waste in Australia, simply
because our people are ignorant of their properties and value. I can hardly
cite a better instance than that of Aiistralian Sandarac. Here we have a
product absolutely and entirely identical in chemical and physical proper-
ties with a well-known article in regular demand. The price of this article

158

at London auction sales is shown by fiiiiires readily accessible, while its cost
in Sydney is very much enhanced; and yet we actually import from Algeria,
rid London, at this high price, what is common enough in ])arts of New
South Wales, and to be had for the gathering.

The collection of Australian Sandarac is one of those minor industries
which could be readily undertaken by a family of childi-cn. As the resin
ilows from the Cypress Pines it could be accumulated in clean dust-proof tins
until a sufficient <iuantity was obtained to be sold to the local storekeeper,
who would again sell to the wholesale chemist, or wholesale oil and colour-
man of Sydney. Sandarac is usually graded. There would be no difficulty
in grading locally our local product, while any surplus available for export
could be shipped without grading if found expedient.

I have no means of getting at the con>umption of Sandarac in this State,
but we ought to be able to supply the local demand, and have a good surplus
for export.

Tlie mealy appearance on Sandarac resin which has remained too long on
the trees is well known, and can be easily removed by a weak solution of
potash, as suggested by Mr. R. Ingham Clark. Samples thus treated take
on a bright, fresh appearance, as if freshly exuded.

It may be pointed out that the solution in weak potash of this external
coating Avould be utilised by soap-makers. Nothing need be wasted.

Another method which may be suggested is to treat the Sandarac with
rectified spirit. The resin at once assumes a beautifully fresh appearance,
Avhile both the spirit and the dissolved resin may be readily recovered, as
every soap or varnish maker knows.

Picking and grading can be done by children with facility into two or
three sorts; and Mr. Ingham Clark's advice not to neglect this should be
borne in mind, for it will pay. In a mixed parcel the price tends to that of
the most inferior portion of it.

Callitris Macleayana, E.v.M.

Botanical Name. — Macleayana, in honour of the late William Sharpe
Macleay, of Sydney. It was described by Mueller in February, 1857, during
a brief visit to the Sydney Botanic Gardens, and plants in the Gardens were
raised from seed collected by Mr. Macleay at Tacking Point, Port
Macquarie.

Vernacular Names. — " Stringybark Pine," " Port Macquarie Pine,"
'^'Mountain Pine," or " Turpentine Piaie " are names by which it is known
on the Dorrigo.

It is known locally simply as pine, and by no other name, without any
distinguishing characteristic such as red or white. (District Forester Hardi-
nian, Taree.)

Leaves. — The dimorphism of the branchlets has already been referred to.
The top of the leaf -scale appears to be rounder than in other species.

Barl: — This is friable-fibrous or stringy, different in texture to that of
any of the other species, which are hard, ajid more or less furrowed. When
younir, before it becomes properly fibrous, it is almost silky in appearance
2nd to the touch.

159

Timher. — It is n pale-coloiircd fissile, easily-worked timber, with little
figure or colour, and but slightly ivromatie. It is said to be white-ant resist-
ing. It is xmed for indoor puri)oses, for weatherboards, deals, battens,
and other small seantling.s. It is light and useful, and was much used for
shingles in the early days.

Size. — ITp to a height of 40 or 60 feet, with a trunk diameter of 1 to 2
feet, in the Ellenborough Falls country. A tree was measured with a girth
of 12 feet 3 inches (3 feet from the ground). Growing 1,800 to 2,000 feet
above sea-level on Bulga Mountain, head of Ellenborough River. " It was a
splendid tree. 150 feet high, and full of vigour." — (G. S. Hill, Bungay,
Wingham, 27th ISTovember, IflOO.) Mr. Ilardiman says that in the Com-
boyne it grows to an average height of 30 feet, and a diameter of 2 feet.

Hahitai. — Eastern Australia from the Stroud district, New South Wales,
to Northern Queensland. I have received it from near Cairns from Mr. S.
Dixon. It is found quite close to the coast and westerly to the coast range.

Callitris verrucosa^ K.Br.

Botanical Name. — Verrucosa, Latin, " full of warts," referring to the
tubercles or swellings at the back of the fruits.

Vernacular Name. — " Mallee Pine " is a name given to it in western
New South Wales.

Fruit. — The tubercles on the backs of the valves are a characteristic which
renders this species easy of determination. These tubercles vary in size a
good deal. In some fruits they are few ; in others as crowded as it is possible
for them to be.

I niljiht mention a peculiarity of tins pine is that the cones are borne in
thick clustei's for the most part directly on the larger limbs instead of towards
J he end of smaller branches as in the common (White) \}'nw. (K. O. Moore,
Coau Downs).

The same observation as to fruiting on old wood has been made by Mr.
Boorman in regard to this species.

Timher. — This species is too small for timber. I have a note that a
sample of "■ Rock Pine " from the Daubeney Ranges, where the trees are
20-25 feet high, and 6-12 inches in diameter, is a splendid working timber,
close-grained, and very showy. I have not seen twigs for many years, and
perhaps a reader may forward me cones to see if the " Rock Pine " be
identical with the " Mallee Pino " or no.

Size. — A shrub 10 to 12 feet high, with spreading horizontal branches
resembling a Cypress, — (J. Duff.)

Small stunted pine, similar in growth to mallee, growing among mallee on
I?ygo Run, 10 feet high, spreading. (Forester Taylor, Wagga Wagga.)

Its manner of growth appears to be much after the style of Whlpstick Mallee.
i.e., it has practically no trunk, the branches all springing from a bole or
stump close to the ground, and being of a decidedly spreading nature. (Mr.
II. O. Moore, (^oan Downs, Moimt Hoije.)

Size {and Habitat). —

This tree dlflTers somewhat from a MaUoe' (Eucalj/ntus) in its form of growth,
ns it usually has a trunJc, though at times only a few Inches in length, and
seldom more than (5 inches. Often it begins to spread level with the surface
of the ground, but it always had the appearance of hranchinq rather tiian
sending up separate stems like a Mallee.

:160

Among the Mallee about here (Mount Hope to Parkes) there is often a
spreading Pine ( Callitris varnicosa, R.Br.), which grows with a short stem,
and branches out almost from the ground. The fruits are larger than those of
V. rohusta, and are covered with pimples or warts full of a resinous substance.
South of the Lachlan this tree is sometimes called Turpentine. (R. H.
Cambage. )

Mr. Boorman's description of the plants at Nymagee is much the same.

Range. — It is a dry country species, found in. the interior of New South
Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, and also reaching the coast in
Western Australia.

The type locality is " interior of New South Wales, hetween 24° et
38°." The specimens were collected in the same district (by Allan Cun-
mno:ham in Oxley's Expedition) as C. calcarata were (see C. calcarata,
p. 167), and Nymagee and Coan Downs may be fairly looked upon as co-type
localities.

Found amongst mallee scrub on the Coan Downs, Roto, and other stations,
Lachlan District. (J. Duff.)

Mallee Pine grows in scattered patches in the mallee on this and neighbour-
ing stations. It is usually found .iust on the fringe of the mallee, or on low
sand rises in the mallee. (R. O. Moore, Coan Downs.)

A correspondent informs me that it occurs ahout 1 mile west of Lake
Cudgellico, on the road to Welsh's selection, but I have not seen it. The
above are New South Wales localities.

Warialda, N.S.W. (Eev. H. M. R. Rupp). Fruits covered with tubercles,
but tubercles smaller than in the type. Specimens like this show the
difficulty of classifying Callitris.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 46.

Callitris Maclcayana.

No. A and a, One form of foliage, natural size, and about three times
natural size, b and b,. the second form of "foliage" (branchlets)
common in this species, b enlarged and b, greatly enlarged, c is a
fruit. <', seeds, and c.. of the clusters of central columellas or aborted
ovlues of each fruit.
Callitris rcrraeosa, R.P>r. (specimens from near Nymagee, N.S.W.) ,

A. Twig bearing male tiowers. • b. Branchlets bearing male flowers,
c. Stamen (with anthers), d. Cluster of fruits. Dj. Very young fruits.
E. Single fruit, opened, showing central column, r. Seeds, o. Fruit,
from near Karrakatta, W.A.

H. A very warted fruit of Callitris propinqua, R.Br., showing close affinity
to C. verrucosa. For remainder of C. propingiM, see Plate 47.

CaliitrU robusfa^ R.Br.

Botanical Name. — Rohusta (Latin), in allusion to the sturdy growth of
the species.

Vernacular Names. — "White or Common Pine." It is often named after
a locality, thus — " Murrumbidgee or Lachlan Pine." Other names will be
alluded to later on.

The " Mountain Cypress Pine " of Woddin. near Young, grows on hilly
country, and as a rule Is not of a very sound nature, having dry rot at the
heart; used for saw-milling and fencing purposes. There is very little of thi«
pine in the Crenfell district. (District Forester A. Osborne.)

F. Fl., pi. 46.

CALLITRIS VERRUCOSA, R.Br
„ MACLEAYANA

R.Br. )
, F.v.M.)

(The Warted and Stringybark Pines.)

161

There is a variety here (Parkes) known as "Ridge Pine" which may be
either figured or plain, but is so called because it grows on the sides of hills.
Sawyers will not take it if they detect it, as in many cases, though apparently
sound at both ends, is pithy in the middle, and thus cuts up badly. Generally
speaking, the best timber has a rather smooth bark. That with rough curly
bark generally indicates a rough curly-grained timber . (Forest Guard P. J.
lloldsworth.)

Mr. Osborne's " Mountain Pine " is C. rohusta. Mr. lloldsworth does not
send specimens of his " Eidge Pine," but it would appear to include rohusta,
and also the Red or Black Pine (calcarata), and it is perhaps a name given
to inferior timber of both kinds.

Timber. — The name White Pine has been attached to this tree because
of its glaucous foliage. Sometimes its timber is nearly destitute of figure.
I have " Mountain Pine " from the Acting Forester at Thackaringa, near
Broken Hill, whose timber is but small and of a rich colour.

The white is the one most used for all building and fencing purposes. How-
it comes to be called "white" I cannot explain, as the sap-wood only is white,
while the heart-wood is invariably in lighter or darker shades of red. (Forester
Kidston, Condobolin.)

A^Hiite tlir durable timber; Black Pine no good. (A. Murphy, Murrunibid-
gerie. Dubbo. )

The white, red, or yellow varieties, as far as I can gather, are of one species ;
the brauchlets are light In colour of bark, also the fruit-cones as compared
with the Black Pine. Those three distinctions are made owing to the respec-
tive colours of tlie lines running through the timber, but no difference exists
as to their durability in works. The white, red, and yellow varieties are in
great demand throughout the Western district for house-building. It seems to
dry quickly, and has some wonderful records for durability. For example, I
have a reliable record of a White Pine post. 20 inches in diameter, put into the
ground near Wellington, infested with white ants. It was removed after
thirty years, and was quite sound except sap-wood, and of the consistency and
colour of iron. It is a capital timber for liouso-building purposes, but is rarely
used in Sydney owing to the expense of bringing it so far by rail. I failed to
hod a single instance recorded in the Western districts where white ants
attacked the timber after it was dry. and the majority of the houses, &c.,
around the towns of Dubbo and Wellington are built of this timber. It is also
foi'warded for upwax'ds of 100 miles by rail for building purposes, and invari-
ably gives satisfactory results as long as the black A'ariety is not used. (J. V.
de Coque.)

The pine timber is the most useful timber here for buildings, telegraph-po,sts,
and jiosts for wire fencing, and is not so liable as other timber to the attack of
white ants. It takes a good polish, and I have seen shop-counters made from
the same. It is also nuich used for ceilings, and looks remarkably well, and
remains sound under the ground for many years. (Forester Payten, Corowa.)

The White Pine is a valuable timber, and is used extensively for building,
fencing, and telegraph-poles. It stands well in the ground, especially if the
bark is left on the part that is put underneath the surface. For building pur-
poses it is indispensable, and nearly all the wooden buildings in town and
country are made from this wood. It keeps sound for a long time, but hous^
made of this timber will not bear moving, as it splits and breaks very easily
while being taken to pieces, so they cannot l>e erected again with any degree
of neatness. (Forester Postlethwaite, Grenfell.)

This Is one of the most useful trees, used mainly for saw-milling and fencing
purposes, and is of hardy growth. (District Forester Osborne. Cootamundra.)

This timber is very free from knots, and easily worked, and is considered by
bnllders and carpenters as the best of our pine, and is used for all building
purposes. It takes a very fine polish, and is very handsome in the grain. This
pine is proof against white ants. I have often seen them moving over It to
attack other timber, and would not attempt to touch the pine. (Forester
Smith. Dubbo.)

t 94031— F

162

Cypress Pine (Callitris rohusta, R.Br.) which I have used, and find it is of
very little use for house-blocks, as it is subject to dry-rot; but will withstand
wliite ants, and is good for flooring-lwards and house-building, when not
oxi)osed to the weather or damp, the house being built on blocks. Have also
usetl it for wire-mattress frames. 3 ft. x 2 ft. doors, lining boards (it polishes
well), picture frames. (R. J. Dalton, Tinapagee, Wanaaring.)

Size. — Height, 50-60 feet. — (Forester Taylor, Wagga). It sometimes
reaches a diameter of 18 or 20 inches. — (Forester Postlethwaite, Grenfell.)
Attaining a height of 70 or 80 feet, with a diameter of 2 feet, the logs now-
being brought in to the mills running from 30 to 50 feet. — (Forester Smith,
Dubbo.)

Habitat. — In all the State except Tasmania. It is usually gregarious,
forming scrub forests on sandy barren lands.

New South Wales.

It is abundantly distributed in the dry country west of the Dividing
Uange of this State. It is unnecessary to enumerate all the localities in the
National Herbarium, but following are some notes, chiefly by foresters, some
of themi made some years ago, and now published for the first time : —

There is no pine growing in any of the reserves in my district, which extends
to the edge of the pine country about Wagga and Old Junee. I have searched
the country between Old Junee and Wagga for pine, and have only found a
few poles, and they chiefly in alienated lands. From Old Junee and Wagga
towards Narrandera, you get into the pine-country which is out of my district.
I haA'e seen a little pine in tlie Camping Reserve at Alfred Town, on the banks
of the Murrumbidgee, but no quantity, and also a small quantity between
XJpper and T^ower Tarcutta, but very small. (Forester Mecham, Tumut.)

Native Pine grows in the liills, and the soil is of a rocky and stony nature.
On Poolamaccji Pastoral Holding, G miles south of Torrowangee, they are very
scarce, only an otld piue-tree here and there. (W. N. Baker, Acting Forester,
Toorowangee. )

There is a great scarcity of matured pine timber in this district. The whole of
Ihe matured trees have been felled before the present reserves were proclaimed.
and great waste of valuable timber took place, the greater portion being
allowed to rot on the reserves. The following are the principal i)ine reserves
in ray district, within the county of Towusend, and are all fairly well-timbered
with young pine, in all stages of growth. Nos. 1,901. 1,902. and 3,156, situated
on Puckawidgee Run; Nos. 1,879 and l.SSO, Steam Plains; No. 7, Conargo; No.
1,404, Deniliquin ; and jjart of No. 1.458, Warwillah Run. All these reserves,
with the exception of No. 1.458, have under my supervision been thinned, and
all scrub and undergrowth cut and burnt off by the lessees of the runs. The
timber has wonderfully improved since the clearing, and will become very
Aaiuable in time. The only other pine reserve in my district of importance is
No. 3,103, situated on Chali Ling River, county of Wakool. This reserve is
■timbered with good pine; most of the trees are now suitable for telegraph-
l>osts. Bush fires in this district have tended to destroy hundreds of acres of
Hplendid young pine forests, both on freehold and Crown lands ; very little fire
destroys the young timl)er. There are sevei-al other reserves in my district
that contain small patches of pine. The total area of pine timbers, including
all the reserves in my district, I would estimate at about 10,000 acres.
(Forester Wilshire, Deniliquin.)

Tliere are about 20,000 acres of land TTpon the reserves in my district, well
timbered with pine. (Forester Payten, Corowa.)

The number of reserves (pine) in my disti'ict is 101, and the area which
they cover is 467,625 acres. There is a plentiful supply of pine distributed
over these reserves in various stages of growth, from trees of half an inch in
circumference up to 4 feet. This pine* is of two varieties, known locally as
"Black and White Pine." (Forester Condell, Narrandera.)

* This is rohusta and calcarata but the former largely preponderates.

1G3

As near as I can cakulate, there are about 92,000 acres of White Pine oir
the timber reserves in my district, exclusive of a proposed reserve in the
county of Gipps, which I believe has not yet l>een gazetted, containing about
2,000 acres of pine. Though pine timber is foiuwl upon the area above-
mentioned, it is principally of a small description, the larger trees having been
already felled for various purposes, and there are probably at the present time
not more than one-third of that number of acres carrying mature<l trees. The
White Pine thrives best on sandy ridges, and is generally found with other
timbers, such as Bull Oak and Box. The former is occasionally found in
considerable numbers on the Weddin Forest Reserve, for instance, there are-
hundretls of acres of this class of timber which grows to a greater size here
than uJ)ou any other reserve that I know of. (Forester Postlethwaite,
Grenfell.)

To be found on nearly every reserve throughout the Lachlan and Murrum-
bidgee districts, espec-ially on stony ridges. (Forester Taylor, Wagga Wagga.)

There is a large quantity of pine timber, the White or I'ellow Pine being
mostly used; the great bulk of pine now being cut by mills in Dubbo, Narro-
mine, Trangie, and Wellington, being obtained from Crown lands between the
railway line and the Bogan River, the belts of timber running from timt)er
reserve No. 2,727 to close to Peak Ilill, with very little break. The trees being
very sound and large, I have already recommended this country be reserved
so that the young timber could l)e proteetetl, which is very necessary, ami
which if done would give a lasting supply to the mills named. I wouUl
estimate the output of pine in this district at nearly 3,000,000 feet per annum,
and this could be maintained if more of the young pine were protected, as-
near towns small trees are cut and brought in to save carriage. There is also
a large quantity of pine, on Crown lands within my district, being carted to
towns outside, such as I'arkes, Mudgee, Coonamble, &c., the quantity of which I
could not form an estimate. The White Pine is found in large quantities
growing amongst the scrub, and if the Stcrub were cleared there would very
soon be good pine in its place. The White Pine is the most plentiful in this
district. (Forester Smith, Dubbo.)

The W^hite Pine is found growing in the thickest scrubs, and Is considered,
good timber for all purposes; saplings run up straight, with little taper, and
are u.sed for rafters, ridging, and bush carpentry in general. (District
Forester Marriott, Dubbo.)

Mt. Marriott's Red Pine is also C. rohxista; his Black Pine is (as is
usually the case) C. calcarata. I see no marked difference in the colouration
of these three Dubbo timbers. If anything, the Black Pine is the lightest;,
but the two rohustas (White and Ked Pine) have a clear band of pale sap-
wood, while in the Black Pine the band is far less marked. Commenting:
on this, Mr. Marriott reports : " The Red Pine is considered to be if any-
thing the best timiber for milling purposes." The White and Red Pine found
on the level country constitute the pine of the plains. Sometimes the
Red Pine is called Yellow Pine. For other notes on the subject see
" Timber," p; 157.

White Pine is more or less plentiful thence to the north-west railway line.

White Pine is found growing on light loams and sandy loams, chiefly bad'
country. It is one of tlie most common tree growths in the district. (District
Forester Bishop Lyne, Narrabri.)

The principal resen'es in and around Gunnedah comprise 56,G13 acres,
chiefly composed of pine. Breeza, Doona, Tulcumbah, and Donison may be
taken as the largest, but with the exception of (he last-named there is no pine
left of the required size. Breeza reserve, situated 2.j miles from Gunnedah,
and comprising 19,070 acres, is completely cut out of pine. Thousands of logs-
have been taken from this reserve for the past twenty-flve years. Doona and
Tulcumbah reserves may be classifled as the same, and unless proper measures
are taken the young pine now maturing will be stunted and knotty. Denisou
I'eserve is, however, a valuable one as far as pine is concerned, the reserve,.

164

comprising 29,500 acres, growing an average of eight matured trees per acre,
over an area of 20,000 acres. This reserve could also be improved, as far as
the young pine is concerned. If it were attended to, it should be able to
produce a constant supply of pine yearly. At a rough estimate, there is in my
district 163,000 acres growing, on an average, five matured pine-trees per
acre, and the young pine saplings, in a healthy state, might be averaged at
the same, with an average of more than double. (Forester Harris, Gunnedah.)

Mr. Harris' district contained both White Pine and also Black Pine, C.
oalcarata.

Callitris columellaris, F.v.M.

Botanical Name. — Columellaris (Latin), columella (a little column), in
allusion to the triangular pyramid in the inside of the fruit emerging from
the base. The columella in this species is as long as it is ever found in
Cullitris.

Timher. — Highly figured and very aromatic.

When residing here, for over nineteen years, 1 was always given to under-
stand that the timber of the Cypress Pine was touched neither by the wliite
ant nor by the cobra. (S. Sohn, Wardell, Richmond River, N.S.W.)

The root of this tree is valued by cabinetmakers for veneering purposes and
largely employed In this way some years ago; but for some cause, not ex-
plained, it seems to have fallen into disuse. (C. Moore, in Paris Exh. Cat.,
18o5.)

A bone-dry specimen, weighed by me, gave a weight of 44 lb. 7 oz. per
cubic foot.
Used for telegraph poles in the Rockhampton district. — (A. Thozet.)

This is the only timber used here (Northern Territory) for buildings, as it
resists the white ants perfectly. (N. Holtze, speaking of F. rohusta, var.
ititratropica. )

Size. — " Only a few specimens may be foundi girthing 6 feet at 3 feet
from the ground.'' — (S. Sohn, Eichmond River.) It has been recorded at
80 feet high with a diameter of 2 feet near Ballina; height of 30 feet with
a diameter of 15 inches at Byron Bay. — (District Forester Pope.) From
80-60 feet at Moreton Island (Queensland).

Range. — " To this belong most of the Northern specimens, also Richmond
and Clarence Rivers." — (B.Fl. vi, 237.) Near Wardell, it grows in a close
sand formation.— ('Sohn.) Near Ballina (Richmond River), I have seen
it growing in pure sand — coastal sand-dunes. There are groves of it near
the Brunswick Heads, on the M^ullumbimby road. Near the Clarence Heads
it is common. District Forester Pope says that it occurs near Byron Bay,
close to the sea-shore, in small patches, always in sandy country.

It grows in great quantities upon Moreton Island, near the entrance to
the Brisbane River. — (C. Moore.) Forms vast tracts along the coast of
Queensland, growing on barren sandy soils. — (W. Hill.)

Callitris Muelleri, Benth. and Hook. f.

Botanical Name. — Muelleri, after the late Baron von Mueller, Government
Botanist of Victoria.

Vernacular Names.— This tree is usually known as Cypress Pine. The
names "Port Jackson Pine" and '' Illawarra Mountain Pine" should bo
received with caution, as C. cupressiformis may be included.

165

Priiit. — The fruit resenibli>s that of C. propinqua a good deal, but is,
apparently, never tuberculate. That this species runs into C. propinqua I
have no doubt.

Timber. — A figured Cypress Pine timber of no special character. It is
not very abundant, and since it comes into competition with excellent
hardwoods it is not often used.

Size. — Usually a small tree, but I have seen it up to, perhaps, 40 feet in
height, with a trunk of 12 inches.

Habitat— FoTt Jackson, also South Head (Port Jackson). I look upon
this species as confined to New South Wales (Central andi South Coast and
the Dividing Eange). It is usually found in rocky (sandstone) situations.

Going north, I have it from Brisbane Water (not to be confused with
Brisbane River) at "Woy Woy, on the tops of the high table-land, some
of them grow to a fair-sized tree — very handsome." — (A. Murphy.) South,
I have collected it near Eden, on the Victorian border. Berrima (WooUs).

On the Blue Mountains it is not rare, and the most ^westerly locality
known to mie is Rylstone.

CallUHs propinqua, R.Br.

This is a species which of late years has been confused with C. Muelleri
on the one hand, and C. verrucosa on the other. One must keep to the
type, especially as I have prominently drawn attention to the somewhat
arbitrary boundaries of most of the species. From C. Muelleri, G. propinqua
may be separated by the perfectly smooth cones and coarse angular branchlets
of the former. It has thq smooth branchlets often seen in 0. verrucosa, an-i
itiias often a few warts on the valves; its afl&nity to C. verrucosa, a species
name which has by Mueller been used somewhat as a drag-net, is evident.
The stout peduncles, and the way in which the cones remain on the old
"wood for years, separate this species and verrucosa from rohusta.

Range. — The type came from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The
«pecies extends to the mainland, being found in South Australia. Going
west we find it in Western Australia, and eastward it occurs in Victoria
and New South Wales,

New South Wales.

I am of opinion that the Cypress Pine of Quiedong, Bombala, belongs to
this species. This is limestone country, and the trees, which have been
carefully examined by me, have branchlets very close to those of C. verrucosa
^as, indeed, other specimens of propinqua have).

Specimens from Acting Forester J. Bear, of Wentworth, "growing on
Bandy ridges, and the only Pine in the district," connect with the South
Australian specimens, and appear to be also referable to propinqua. The
Quiedong and Wentworth specimens have cones larger than those of
propinqtia usually are.

166

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 47.
Callitris robusta, ll.lii:

A. Twig bearing male flowers and cones. a\ Portion 'of branchlels

enlarged.

B. A cone opening.

c. A cone further advanced, showing the prominent central columella.
(Letters a-c from Dubbo, N.S.W.)

D. Cone of " Murray IMne " from Mildura, Vic, furrowed at the

valves.

E. Young cone of Red Pine from Dubbo, showing long stalk, and cone

somewhat pointed.

F. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers. «

G. Scale with authei's.

H. Fruit, l)earing a few" small warts or tubercles.
J. Seeds, (f-j from Mount Lofty, near Adelaide.)

Callitris propinqua, R.Br.

K. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers, Bremer Bay, W.A.

I.. Portion of branchlet bearing male flowers, nnicli enlarged.

M. Staujpn with anthers.

N. Cone, showing columella.

o. Seeds. (1.-0 from Quiedong, near Bombala, N.S.W.)

p. Portion of branchlet (enlarged) from Sandy Creelc, near Gawler,.

S.A. (The fruit, being identical with that of Quiedong, has not

been also drawn.)
Q. Cone a little pointed and sparingly tuberculate, from Wentworth,

N.S.W.
R. cine from type locality (Kangaroo Island. S.A.). For another

fruit of C. propinqua, see letter ii of Plate 4G.

Callitris columellaris F.v.M.

s. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers.

T. Cones, opening and shetlding seeds.

u. Cone showing the prominent columella, from which the specieSs

was named.
V. A single columella.
w. Seeds. (All from type locality, Richmond Rivei*, N.S.W.)

Callitris calcarata, R.Br.

C. calcarata and C. Muelleri are often confused. In the latter there is
but one columella, in the former several, of irregular form. In calcarata
the space between the leaf-scales is smaller than in Muelleri and the branch-
lets are much less coarse.

C. calcarata, the Black Pino, and C. rohusta, the White Pine, are often
confused in general descriptions, and the following notes bring out their
chief points of difference. The Black Pine has usually bright green foliage^
while that of the White Pine is silvery. The cones of the Black Pine have
usually stiff points on them; this is only exceptionally the case with White^
Pine. The stalk of the fruit is usually slender in the case of White Pine.
In the case of Black Pine the cones persist on the old wood for many
years; White Pines have usually many fallen cones under each tree. Usually
the seeds of the Black Pine are reddish-brown in colour, while those of the
White Pine are of a pale brown.

F. Fl., pi. 47.

CALLITRIS ROBUSTA, R.Br.

„ COLUMELLARIS, F.v.M.

PROPINQUA. R.Br.

(The White and other Cypress Pines.)

167

Botanical Name. — Calcarata, Latin, calcar, calcaris, a spur, in allusion
to the points on the back of the valves. Allan Cunningham was the first to
g"ive the si)eeific name (as Frenela) in his MS. Journal, under date 25th
May, 1817. He was then in the Lachlan district vs^ith Oxley's expedition.

Sqiiamjp of the strobile calcarated near the apex, which Is longer than
C. glaitca, Arbuscula, 25 feet.

Vernacular Names. — Most commonly known as " Black Pine," but also as
*' Eed Pine."

The Red Pino occurs on the ridges, where it is also called Moinitain Pino.
It is generally stunted and does not produce timber of any commercial value.
It is also subje<'t to dry-rot and doziness. (Forest Cadet H. Swain, Coota-
mundra-{»nMifell district. )

The darker is calle<l indiscrimately Eed or Black Pine. (District Forester
Osborne, Cootamundra'. )

Leaves. — Mr, Bauerlen informed me that the twigs of tliis tree are used in
northern Victoria and southern New South Wales for mixing with fodder,
to expel worms in horses. There is no reason to suppose that any merit
there may bo in this remedy is not shared by all the other species. Boronia
3hom,l)oidea is also put to a similar use.

Fmit. — The points or spurs on the fruits, while commonest in this species,
are also occasionally found on some other species, e.g., rohusta.

Timber. — This species yields, perhaps, the handsomest timber of this class,
although not the most durable. It is beautifully mottled and striped with
black, white, and yellow; it is much used and valued for the interior lining
and roofing of houses, mantelpieces, skirting-boards, &c. Slabs of wood of
this tree were used by Sir Thomas Mitchell for sleepers when crossing the
3!'arran Swamp.

The timber is soft, easily worked, and durable.' I was shown a stable at
C'ooma. built of this i)ine. which had been erected for 30 years, and the timber
still appeared perfectly sound. It is also largely used as a top rail for stone
and wii'e fencing. The value of this timber in a country like the Monaro.
where timber suitable for any purpose but rough fencing and firewood Is so
scarce, cannot be over-estimated. (Forester Benson, Bega.)

Black (Cypress Pine grows on saudy and hilly country, and is used for saw-
milling and fencing purix)ses. (District Forester A. Osborne, Forbes. )

Red or Black Cypress Pine, called Black Pine, when growing on the low-
lands in conjunction with White Pine {rolniMa) . where it pi'o<luces timber of
good quality, but heavier and j)enetratiug odour than the latter. It is also
uuich darker, and the grain is of a more streaky, parallel, or concentric design
of reddish and otlier brown colouring, gorgeous in effect. The annual rings
are very tine. Its uses are the same as the White Pine, except that its more
streaky grain renders it a fit wood for ornamental fittings or cabinetmaking.
(Forest Cadet II. Swain. Cootamundra -Grenf ell.)

As the timber is very little used in this neighbourhood, not much value is
place<l upon it. It does not stand in the ground as well as the white variety,
and there are too many knots in it to make it useful for sawing or building.
(Forester Postlethwalte. Gi'enfell.)

This tree does not grow nearly as large as the White Pine, is of a darker
colour, and is not much useil. being more brittle and liable to split. The knots
are more numerous than in White Pine and have a great tendency to fall out
when the timber is seasoned. Builders will not use this pine at any time when
the white is available. (l"''orester Smith, Dnbbo.)

A distinguishing feature of this pine is the large quantity of resin which
gathers in the interstices of the bark; it shows a decided increase of girth at
the butt. Less durable than the other pines, being spongy, subject to dry-rot,
iind is in consequence little used. (District Forester Marriott, Dubbo.)

168

The Black Pine, a decidedly inferior timber, spongy, and of no durability.
The timber is dark, also the branchlets and fruit-pods, which are quite black.
It decays in the ground in two years. It can be distinguished from the other
varieties for weeks after it is cut, as it glistens along the face of the timber
like thousands of minute diamonds. The knots of the Black Pine are not so
large, but are much more plentiful throughout the tree; again, the Black Pine
invariably grows on the southern and western slopes of the mountains. It is
also much more highly scented than the other pines when being cut. (J. V. de
Coque, speaking chiefly of the Western Pine.)

It seems to stand fairly well in the ground when used for verandah posts in
out-buildings, the rule being to erect them with the bark on, which, I am
informed, gives them greater durability. When required for building ])urposes
here, it is brought from the Tamwortli and Gunneflah districts, but it is not
used to any great extent, although highly useful and ornamental for inside-
purposes in l)uildiiigs. (Forester Siddins, Arniidale. )

Some Black or Mountain Pine from the Inverell district (District.
Forester Stopford) belonging to this species has but little figure. As it
approaches the tableland it appears to lose inucli of that richness of colour
that this species possesses on the western plains. Locality has, of course^
much to do with the physical properties of timber.

Size. — It is a small tree, seldom exceeding 30 feet in height' and 18 inches
in diameter. — (Forester Benson, Bega, speaking of Monaro.) 50-60 feet. —
(Forester Taylor, Wagga Wagga).

It is of a stuntwl habit, and though it attains a height of HO feet, a tree can
seldom be found of more than .S inches in diameter, 8 feet from the ground ;
thus it is practicallv useless for milling iturposes. (I'"'orester Siddins, Armi-
dale. )

This species has an extensive range in New South Wales. It is found
over enormous areas west of the Dividing Range, and also in rocky declivi-
ties and caiions in the southern and northern tablelands. It also occurs in
Victoria and Queensland.

Abundant on the reserves and alienated lands lx>rdering on the Snowy
River, K-ounty of Wellesley. (Forester Benson, Bega.)

Red or Mountain Pine. Wagra, Upper Murray. Small stunted Black Pine,
from a hill near Wagra, Murray River. (These specimens belong to C.
calcarata.) Soil stiff, red, and sandy. (Forester Taylor, Wagga Wagga.)

Pine is also to be found in the Killimicat Ranges, between Tumut and
Gundagai. A large quantity of it. but no trees of any size, and growing on
very rough barren country. (Forester Mechara, Tunnit.)

There are probably between 8,000 and 10.000 acres of Black Pine found upon
the timber reserves in this district. It is found principally in rough, rocky
country, on gravelly soil. (Forester Postlethwaite. Grenfell.)

On shallow soils; on stony or rock ridges. (District Forester Marriott,
Dubbo. )

Mitchell (Tropical Australia, p. 93) made sleepers of C. pyramidalis, 14
feet long and 2 feet wide, to carry his drays over the Yarran Swamp.

It is not plentiful ; the most connuon is the Western Pine, but it does not
thrive well, owing. I believe, to the cold preventing its )>roper development. It
rarely reaches 2 feet in girth, the average size of the largest being about 1&
inches in circumference. On the eastern side of the Main Range. I have not
seen any; if there is. it is in small quantities, and in remote places. (Former
Forester Siddins, Armidale.)

No Cji)ress Pine is found on the New England table-laud, though it comes
well upon the western slope. Black or Mountain Pine is obtained near
Inverell. in which locality there is a large quantity of this kind of pine. It
grows almost exclusively in the roughest country, in granite or poor white
sandy soil, and very often forms a scrub of small saplings of from 1 to 5
inches in diameter. (The late District Forester Stopford, Armidale.)

169

It is not easy to define what New England really is. I have attempted to
define it- in my Presidential Address before the Linnean Society of New
South Wales, vol. xxvi, TOO (1901), and the following note from Mr. Stop-
ford is interesting. The canons of eastern New England are full of this
pine, but it hardly comes on to the comparatively flat tableland.

With reference to the growth of pine on the falls of New P>nghind, I always
consider that New England commences on the south, about Waleha, and
•extends to Deepwater on the north, at both of which places ravines come up;
from Tamworth and Apsley Falls on the south, and from Bolivia on the north,
the same country and conditions prevailing all along the western falls. It is
in these places that pine is found, but I do not think it is found, or at least
can generally be considered to be on the true tableland ; at any rate, I do not
know of it, upon what I would call this class of country.

■^Thirty-five miles from 'Grafton, hear Dalmorton, on the Little River.
Plenty on the rocky banks. Sent to the mill at South Grafton (J. L.
lioorman and J.H.M.) ; Howell (R. Hart) ; Warialda (H. M. R. Rupp, J. L.
Boorman, J.H.M.) ; Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range (W. Dunn).

Pokolbin, a few miles south-west of Maitland (R. H. Cambage) is the
most easterly locality in that district know to me.

Callltris cupressiformis. Vent.

JJotanical Name. — Cupressiformis, Latin, cypress-like.

Veriiacular Name. — " Port Jackson Pine " (with Mnelleri) ; " Oyster Bay
Pine"" of Tasmania.

Timher. — Not a highly figured Cypress pine timber; none of the cnastal-
grown pines appear to have much figure. "Wood soft, not supposed to be
<lurable." (Sir William Macarthur, speaking of the Sydney district.)
Timber from the Dorrigo is of very little figure, nearly as plain as that of
<7. Macleayana, and but slightly aromatic. Backhouse {Narrative, p. 142)
speaks of it as affording narrow-plank and small timber, which is useful in
building, but not easy to work, being liable to splinter; it has an aromatic
^rnell.

The Tasmanian timber (Oyster Bay Pine) is used for telegraph poles.
The bark must always be stripped as soon as cut. otherwise insects get in
iind destroy the timber. The above notes I obtained at Oyster Bay.

Wood of little use. said to be obnoxious to bugs, from its resinous odour.
<F1. Tas.)

Timber strong and durable, used for furniture, planks, w^eatherboard.s,
battens, &c. (Cat. Col. and Ind. Exh., 1880.)

Size. — Usually a tree of 30 or 40 feet in height, with a stem diameter of
about a foot. The largest tree measured by District Forester Rotton at
Tomerong, N.S.W., was 15 inches in diameter.

Habitat. — Found in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and
Tasmania. Usually it is found in rocky situations not far from the coast.
It would appear that its most inland localities are in Victoria.

Specific localities in New South Wales are the Dorrigo district (head of
the Bellinger River — here it is somewhat scattered and limited in quantity,
according to District Forester F. H. Wilshire; Kinchela, Port Macquarie,
Port Jackson (including the site of the present Government House),
(Jeorge's River, Port Hacking, and the National Park. The most southerly
locality known to me is that recorded by District Forester Rotton, at Parma
Creek, near Tomerong, Shoalhaven district.

170

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 48.

Callltris MuellcH.

A and A^ Dimorphic foliage, Edeu, N.S.W.

B. Brauclilet (enlarged) bearing male flowers.

c. Fresh cones (b and c from Port Jacksou).

D. Cone, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, N.S.W.

E and F. Cones in different stages.

G and g\ Central columella in plan and elevation.

H and 11^ Showing method of attachment of seeds around the central

columella.
J. Seeds (e-j from Mount Wilson, N.S.W.)

CalUtris calcarata, R.Br.

K. Seedling.

T^ Fragment of branchlet.

if. Young cone.

N. Cone opened, showing the multiple columellas or aborted ovules.

s\ A few specimens showing the great variation in the columellas.

o. Branchlet (enlarged) showing female flowers, (k-o from Dubbo,

N.S.W.)
r. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers, from Jennings

(N.S.W.-Queensland border).
Q. Cone, and q', seeds from Cooma, southern N.S.W.

Callltris cuprcssiformis, Vent.

R. Seedling plant. .

s. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers.

T. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing female flowers.

V. Cone, just opened (R-u from Port Jackson.)

V. Cluster of fruits.

v\ Single fruit.

V-. Central columellas.

w. Seeds, (v-w from Kinchela. Port Macquarie, N.S.W.)

X. Cones of variety mueronata, Grampians, Vic.

Y. Portion of branchlet.

z. Portion of branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers; note the

pointed terminal scale.
Zi. Front and back views of stamen, with anthers.
Nos. Y-z from var. tanmanica (Gunn's No. 1,017, Flinders Island,

Tasmania ) .

I^odocarpus elata, E..B1'.

; The Brown or She Pine.

Botanical Name. — Podocarpus (from two Greek w^ords — pons, pedes, a
foot, and harpos, a fruit), referring to the thick, fleshy fruit-stalk of these
plants ; elata, Latin, lofty, referring to the tallness of this particular tree.

Vernacular Names. — In a general way the name 'Pine is given to that
group of plants known to botanists as Conifers. The exceptions are rare,
but a few brush trees in Australia go by that name. Our tree is known a*
" Pine," " She Pine, and '' Brown Pine," and, to a less extent, '' White
Pine," but the last designation had better be left for Araucaria Cunning-
hamii, the " Hoop Pine." called also " Plum Pine " and " Berry Pine," in
allusion to the fruits; and also "Brush Pine," because of the situation in
■which it grows. It is also known as " Native Deal."

F. Fl., pi. 48.

CALLITRIS MUELLERI, Bsnth & Hook, F., CALLITRIS CALCARATA, R. Br.
CALLITRIS CUPRESSIFORMIS, Vent. (Black and other Cypress Pines.)

171

Fruit. — The fruits are called by Sydney boys "plums," "damsons/' or
"'■ cherries." The fruit, which ripens in autumn, consists of an astringent,
aromatic, resinous drupe, egg-shaped, and something like a sloe, sitting
upon a fleshy substance of a purplish or damson colour, which is the
"damson." I have measured them up to (^ inch long (they are depressetl)
and i inch in diameter, and they are probably larger. The " sloe " cannot
he eaten, but aborigines and small boys are fond of the " damsons," which
have no stones, and consist of a pleasant but rather insipid mucilaginous
.substance, the thin skin being slightly astringent. They rank among the
host of the indigenous fruits. When ripe they stain the mouth and fingers
like black cherries do.

Timher. — The timber is used for miscellaneous purposes, like " Colonial
Pine" (Araucaria C unninghamn) , but its most valuable property is its
resistance to white ants and Teredo. Round piles of this timber with the
bark on are all but proof against the attacks of Teredo (cobra) oven in
brackish water; in fact, some saw-millers say that its power of resistance to
marine borers is absolute, but I doubt this, although it is rarely touched.
It used to be employed in the Port Macquarie district for staves for tallow
casks, and was then called " Stave-wood." In the Gloucester district it ha>
tlie reputation of shrinking a good deal and being knotty. Locally, it is
used for flooring and ceiling boards and dray bottoms.

Another report says: — "Timber light and durable when used for any
inside work; it takes a fine polish." We know but little of the uses of this
timber, except for piles. Mr. F. M. Bailey says that it is excellent for the
*pars and masts of vessels.

I>rown Pine, said to be au excellent timber for flooring boards and house-
I>uildmg. (District Forester Wilshire, Gral'ton. )

The genus Podocarpiis is far more developed in New Zealand than it is
in Australia, and the uses and properties of the better known New Zealand
timber trees will suggest uses and properties probably possessed, in a greater
<n' less degree, by their Australian congeners. The Totara stands in the
very first rank of New Zealand trees; it is one of the best timbers in the
Avorld to withstand marine borers; in fact, some comparative tests between
this timber and tlie Western Australian Jarrah, made a few years ago by
the Engineer to the Auckland Harbour Board, tend to show that Totara
l)03ssesses greater resistant power than Jarrah. Other Podocarpus timbers
■of note from the sister colony, are the Matai (P. spicata), which is practi-
cally imperishable, the Miro or Black Pine (P. ferruginea), all the above
being grand timbers. There is still another New Zealand Podocarpus (P.
dacrydioides) , the White Pine or Kahikatea, which by no means bears so
Kood a name for durability as those already mentioned. It is, however,
largely used in the manufacture of butter-boxes, for which it is very
suitable.

The genus to which our Bro^^n Pine belongs is even more developed in
Asia (chiefly in the tropics) than it is in Australasia. A few species are
found in tropical America and in the West Indies, in mountainous districts.
It also follows the Andes south into Chili and Peru for a considerable
distance. It is also found in South Africa.

Size. — It grows to a height of 90 or 100 feet, with a diameter of 2 or 3 feet.

Hahitat. — It extends from the Illawarra to Northern Queensland, being
confined to the coast district. It usually occurs in brushes or good soil,
and often on the banks of watercourses.

172

Following are specimen reports of its occurrence in a few localities:—
'" In New South Wales it is fairly plentiful in the Tweed district." " There
is abundance of Brown Pine on the north shore of Port Macquarie, say 25
to 30 feet high, and from 15 to 18 inches in diameter." On the Gloucester
liiver I observed some fine trees of Podocarpus elata, which I was informed
is very common on this and other rivers and creeks in the district.

Trees in the islands of the Clarence River, small, with clean barrels about
30-40 feet. (District Forester Wilshire.)

Not plentiful ; occasional trees are found on Beech Mountain, and in some
of the coastal scrubs in Southern Queensland. {Cat. Forestry Mus., Queens-
land, 1904.)

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 14.

A. Branch with male (staminiferous) flowers.

B. Amentum, partly magnified, showing the scales at the base,
c. Staminiferous flower shedding pollen.

D. Pistilliferous (female) flower.

E. Branch with ripe fruits, showing drupaceous seed and the fleshy

receptacle.

F. Seed.

G. Vertical section of seed.
H. Horizontal section of seed.

F. Fl., pi. 14.

PODOCARPUS ELATA, R.Br. iWhite or She Pine.)

173

The Silky Oaks.

(PROTEACEiE).

1. Grevillea rohiista (Silky Oak).

2. Grevillea striata (Western Beefwood).

3. Sienocarpus saligniit; (a Beefwood). ,

4. Macadamia ternifolia (Queensland Nut).

Grevillea robusta, A. Cann.
The Silky Oak.

The genus Grevillea is ti very large one, approaching 200 species. It is
almost peculiar to Australia, seven or eight species occurring in New Cale-
donia. It includes many beautiful flowering iilants; ocetirs in the dry
interior and the moist coast districts.^ Most of the species are small shrubs.
G. rohusta is the largest of the genus.

Botanical Name. — Grevillea. — ^Robert Brown dedicated the genus to th&
Right Hon. C. F. Greville, an active patron of botany at the beginning of
the 19th century. Bohusta (Latin), strong and firm, in allusion to the size
of this species, unusual for a Grevillea.

Vei-nacular Names. — Hooker (Bot. Mag., t. 3184) says : " From its deeply
dissected foliage and the silkiness of the underside, it has obtained the
name of 'Silk Oak' among the pine-cutters of Moreton Bay." When split
on the quarter this timber shows a handsome oak-like grain, the prefix
'' silky " being' either because of the silky underside of the leaves, or on
account of the bright appearance of the freshly split wood. Hooker's state-
ment, written in 1832, may be the true explanation of why the name was
originally applied. On the northern rivers I have known it to be called
'*■ White Silky Oak " and " Black SilkT Oak," though I have not been able
to clearly understand the difference.

Leaves. — The graceful fern-like foliage of this plant causes it to be
cultivated as a pot plant for table adornment. In Ceylon the tree is much
planted, and the Tropical A gricultuAst says: —

We have just heard from a mid-Dimbula planter of Grevillea leaves being
used as a substitute for paddy straw, as a bedding for cattle, sheep, pigs, and
even for horses. The trees are lopped up. the branches carried to the store,
where the leaves speedily drop off and are used for bedding for cattle, &c.^
with satisfactory results, especially in an economical point of view.

With us in New South Wales the tree is semi-deciduous.

Flowers. — The tree bears a profusion of orange-yellow flowers which, like
those of most members of the family to which it belongs, are rich in honey,
and hence are sought after by bees. They add greatly to the ornamental
character of the tree, which, in full bloom, is a striking object. ^

174

Fruit. — This is sufficiently described by the plate. The winged seeds are
very light, are suddenly released from the follicle, and are blown away by
the wind. As the trees are a considerable height it is not always easy to
"Collect the seed just as it ripens, and hence it is always expensive.

Is the Sap an Irritant. — In P,art XX (vol. ii), p. 183, of my "Forest
Plora of New South Wales," I drew attention to Leichhardt's observation
of the acrid secretion from the seed-vessels of a Grevillea in the Northern
Territory.

Dr. E. Mjoberg, the leader of the Swedish Scientific Expedition of 1910-11
Ito north-west Australia, informed me that the sap of two species of
Grevillea is used by the natives to scarify their bodies, forming the scars
they deem to be ornamental.

Following is an extract from a letter from Mr. Fellows, Curator of the
Public Gardens, Albury, X.S.W. :—

I have a man working here, who, whenever he has to work much in the
trees of Grevillea rohusta, gets inflannnation of the eyelids : liave you met with
n simihir case, or can you account for it in any way? No otlier tree causes
liim this inconvenience. I have aslced our doctors about it. but none can
jiccount for it. By worlcing in the trees I mean in the to]) of tlie tree, lopping
or thinning out branches of tlie older treo.s. The sap is the trouble. We have
Home of these trees in the streets in this town ; the trees made good growtTi
here.

I have not heard of Grevillea rohusta in this connection before. It is far
better known as a planted tree (both in Australia and out of it) than in its
siative forests, and I would ask correspondents whether they have heard of
its acridity.

I would invite attention to what I have said in regard to Irritant Woods
in Part xlix, p. 174, of my '' Forest Flora of New South Wales."

Timber. — Its chief characteristic is its fissility. It is light in colour, and
has a handsome oak-like figure.

Although distinctly a prettty wood, yet on account of its lightness of
colour it has not the same rich appearance as many proteaceous timbers. It
is moderately hard, and works well.

We have much to learn in regard to the behaviour of our commonest trees,
Tind bushmen should not be too diffident in reporting peculiarities of our
trees and timbers.

Perhaps the New South Wales timber which has been spoken of more than
'any other for wine casks is the silky oak. Mr. Thomas Hardy, of South
Australia, placed shavings of this wood in light wines for two months with-
out affecting the taste and colour of the latter. He pronovmces the wood
isuitable in other respects, and therefore suitable for casking wine, and the
opinion of an authority so eminent must carr.y great weight. Silky oak
would not leak when split on the quarter, and Mr. Hardy has been institut-
ing inquiry as to whether the staves would leak when the wood was cut
across the grain. Silky oak appears too i)orous to hold such liquids as
spirits.

Formerly it was used to a large extent on the northern rivers of our own
State, and still in Northern Queensland, for tallow casks. It has also been
.largely used for butter-kegs. It does not appear to be affected by long
immersion in brine, nor does butter placed in contact with it for any reason-

175

able period acquire any appreciable taste of the wood. For all tliese purposes
it must be cut or sawn on the quarter, to avoid leakage or soakage. In the
old days, before the advent of galvanized iron, it was almost exclusively
used in the Northern districts for milk-buckets and dairy utensils, for
which i)urpose it gave great satisfaction. The extension of the use of
butter-boxes is causing butter-kegs to be superseded, and therefore increased
attention should be given to the utilisation of this timber for dairy appli-
ances of various kinds, e.g., hands, pats, and rammers for butters. If our
timber merchants would study the special recjuirements of butter factories
and firms and companies which deal wholesale in or export this important
commodity, they would find that it would be to their advantage.

Its pretty grain renders it a suitable wood for certain picture frames,
find Mr. R. D. Hay suggests that it is specially suitable for engravings and
photographs.

Now that Grevillea rohusta is getting scarce, I would like to draw public
attention to what I believe to be a perfect substitute for it. Tlie commonest
tree in the Dorrigo Forest Reserve is one known to botanists as Orites
excelsa, and its wood usually passes as silky oak. I examined the timber
carefully in the forest, and brought a few pieces to Sydney. Everybody I
have shown them to pronounces them to be silky oak. At the present time,,
if there is any difference between the Orites excelsa timber and that of
Grevillea rohusta, I do not know what it is, and it is evidently not of a
superficial character. I was pleased to make this discovery, as there is a
perfect mine of the silky oak in the Dorrigo. There are millions upon
millions of feet of it, and at one time not a stick was used. But even if it
be not used for wine casks, the time will come when it will be used for butter
or tallow casks, or for some other humbler yet useful purpose.

The Dorrigo is not the only place on the Northern rivers, by any means, iiv..
which this second silky oak can be abundantly obtained. The difficulty in
the way hitherto has been the cost of carriage, but roads into these places
are being gradually opened up. ("Written in 1893.)

The following is an extract from the Tropical Agriculturist of Ceylon: —

, . . . . But we were greatly interested in a stable door composed of fine
I>]anks of a Grevillea tree, certainly not more than sixteen years old (if that),
wbicli had been cut down and converted into timber. Made into the door when,
freshly sawn, this valuable wood had subsequently seasoned without in the least
warping. .Such being his experience we were not surprised to learn that the
owner intended to cut down some of the older Grevillea trees which can be
spared from the large number at Lome, to be converted into fliwr boards.

Size. — It rarely attains a height of more than 60 feet to 80 feet, and a
stem diameter of more than 2 feet or 3 feet. But its sapwood is small,
and there is little waste. Given even moderately favourable conditions it is
a very rapid grower, at all events for the first few years. I do not think
it is a long-lived tree, at all events as regards culitivated specimens, usually
exhibiting signs of senile decay after fifty years.

Habitat. — In the brush forests of the Clarence River northwards up to
Northern Queensland, but not extending many miles back from the coast.

Under cultivation, not only in our own State, but in other parts of the
world, it has sliowm that it is drought-resistant to an extent that wouldf
hardly be supposed from consideration of the localities with ample rainfall

176

in which it is indigenous. This affords an illustration of the fact that in
acclimatisation experiments one must not adhere too slavishly to the climato
and soil conditions of a plant in its original habitat.

The Tropical AgriculUirut states that, " certainly for beauty of foliage, for
tenacity of vitality (it scarcely ever fails in planting), for fair rapidity of
growth and value of timber at a comparatively early age, it is one of the most
valuable gifts which Australia has bestowed on Ceylon. It flourishes from sea
level to 6,0(X) feet, and we do not wonder at its popularity and wide diffusion.
If a Casuarina or a Frcncla i.s allowed to grow somewhat big in the nursery it
almost infallibly dies when planted out, while the (Ircvillca flourishes equally
as a seedling', a well-grown plant, or as a stump.

The faith felt in the beneficial influence of Grevilleas. planted along with tea
especially, continues to gather strength among Ceylon planters. These trees,
afford shelter from the wind, supply an ample litter with fallen leaves, and
the roots penetrate and open up \\4iat is often a hard sub-soil."

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 1.

A. Flower-bud.

B. Expanded flower — (a) Corolla, (h) Ovary, which is stipitate, (c)

Style.
c. Petal (Bentham's perianth-lobe), with sessile anther.

D. Stigma.

E. Pedicel with ovary, the corolla removed — (a) Pedicel, (&) Stipitate

ovary, (c) Semiannular disc.

F. Follicles showing the dehiscence.
ti. Seed, winged all round.

GiecUlea striata, E.Br.

Western Beefwood.

Botanical Name. — Striata (Latin), channelled, fluted; in botany, striate,
in reference to the longitudinal markings of the leaves.

Veriiacular Names. — " Beefwood " is a name of well-nigh universal
application in the districts in which it is found;. The appearance of the
fresh timber resembles that of raw beef a good deal. I have known it to
be called " Silvery Honeysuckle " by reason of its glaucous or silvery foliage
when young.

Leaves. — The long leaves are eaten by stock, including horses; but the
foliage is rather sparse and woody, and it cannot be regarded as a very good
fodder plant, (Peacock.)

Flowers. — The long spikes of creamy, yellow flowers are very handsome.
It often flowers in December.

Timher. — Its appearance has already been described. It is the best fencing
timber in much of the country in which it grows. It is very durable, and
it never rots, according to some authorities. It is better, however, in split,
rather than in round posts.

Mr. E. J. Dalton, of Wanaaring, says of it:—

Very useful, as it stands well in the ground. Have used it for house-blocks,
posts, furniture, strong flooring, well-slabs, picture-frames. It is not much
good for bullock-yokes, although extensively used, as it is very liable to split.
It should be very good for railway sleepers, as it lasts well in the ground.
Have also seen it used for roofing shingles, as it is a fine splitting wood. No
gonod for firewood.

• The timber is used for gate-making, and also for panelling of various
kinds.

F. Fl.,pl. 1,

GREVILLEA ROBUSTA, A. Cunn. (The Silky Oak.)

F. Fl., pi. 155.

GREVILLEA STRIATA, R Bp. (Western Beef-wood.)

Size. — This is a tree which attains a height of 30 or 40 feet or more. A
trunk diameter of 2 feet is by no means uncommon. ^

Habitat. — Tht' following localities are quoted in the Flora Aus-
traliensis : —

K. Australia. — Victoria River (F. Mueller) ; Islands of the Gulf of
Carpentaria (A*. Brown).

Queensland. — Wide Bay (Bidwill) ; Port Denison (Fitzalan) ; Kennedy
district (Baintree) ; Flinders and Dawson Rivers (Sutherland) ; in tho
interior {Mitchell).

New South Wales. — Darling Desert (Victorian Expedition) ; Bogan River
(C. Stuart).

S. Australia. — Cooper's Creek (Howitt's Expedition).

It is an interior species as far as New South Wales is concerned. We
have it from such localities as Ivanhoe, via Hay, Nyngan, and Coolabah,
White Cliifs, Narrabri. It extends over enormous areas, but has been much
cut down during the last twenty-five years for fodder and other purposes.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 155.

A. Branch with flowering spikes (Coolabah, N.S.W.).

B. I'nopened flower.

c. pjxpaiided flower, showing — (a) Four-lobed corolla with stamens,
(h) Pistil.

D. Corolla-Iol)t\ with stamen.

E. Part of corolla-lobe larger, showing stamen (sessile anther) on the

concave l;iniina\

F. Showing («) Pedicel, (&) Disc, (c) Stipitate ovary, (cZ) Stigma,
o. Stigma.

H. Follicles (Coolabah, N.S.W.).

K. Seed, winged all I'ound.

T,. Portion of leaf enlarged, showing nine veins.

The specimen figured is the common New South Wales tree, but it is
not typical G. striata ; it is that form described by Brown as G. lineata.

Stenocarpus salignus, K.Br.

A Beefwood.

Botanical Name. — Stetnocarpus, from' two Greek words — stenos (narrow)
and Icarpos (a fruit), in reference to the narrowness of the fruit (follicle);
salignus (Latin), Willow-like, but hardly an appropriate name, as a general
rule, yet descriptive of some specimens.

Vernacular Names. — This is often called " Silky Oak," and this term is
very widely in use. In some districts in which Grevillea rohv^ta and Orites
excelsa also occur, our tree goes by the name of '' Red Silky Oak " in order
to distinguish it. Further allusion to the redness of its timber is in the
name of " Beefwood," which is in very frequent use, the appearance of the
fresh wood being remarkably like raw beef in colour.

Flowers. — White or greenish-white, small and inconspicuous in com-
parison with those of S. simiatu^. They are somewhat fragrant.

178

Timler. — A reddish, fissile timber, used locally for furnitur-e, veneeiN-,
staves, gun-stocks, walking-sticks, picture-frames, &c. This timber is an
efficient substitute for the northern silky oaks {Grevillea and Orites); in
fact, it has long been used by the Illawarra dairy-farmers for such purposes
as butter-kegs. In the old days it was used to a limited extent for
shingles. Mr. Forester Brown told me it had been used for gun-stocks at
Taree.

A Beefwood formerly grew at Milton, which I believe to be this species. Th»
bar fittings in the *' Termeil Hotel " are made from timber of the .species pro-
cured at Milton. (R. H. Cambage.)

I saw this work in 1892, shortly after its completion by Mr. Bevan, the
proprietor of the hotel, who was also a carpenter and joiner, and it looked
handsome. The timber is Stenocarpus salignns.

" A slab of this timber is of extreme beauty for the uniformity of the pale,
red-brown, mottled colour, with an undulating figure perfectly uniform, ofc'
hard texture, easily Avorked. Altogether one of the most beautiful woods in
the Exhibition, and of the highest merit." (Jurors' Reports, London Inter-
national Exhibition of 1862.) As it ages it sobers down to a reddish-brown
colour, with a tendei^y to uniformity of colour throughout. Proteaceous
timbers are very characteristic in appearance, and this is no exception.

A drawback to fissile timbers such as this is their fissility, and they
sometimes tear when in use.

As to the beauty of this timber there can be no difference of oinnion.
I would like to see it more frequently utilised for furniture, as it is a
really handsome furniture wood.

Size. — ^Usually 40 or 50 feet, with a stem diameter of 1 or 2 feet; but I
have seen trees twice as large or larger.

IlaUtat. — ISTew South Wales and Queensland, extending from the Illa-
warra to Southern Queensland. The precise southern range of the species
is unknown to me, and I should bo glad of information on the subject.

EXPLANATION OF TLATE 23. '

A. Flower before expansion.

B. Expanded flower. , ^ tt

c Flower, petals (perianth), with stamens removed— («) Hypogy-
nous disc, (ft) Stipitate ovary, (c) Stigmatic disc.

D. Petal (perianth segment), with sessile anther.

E. Stigmatic disc.

F. Fruits (follicles).

o Seeds, showing the thin lamella) separating them.

Maradamia iernifolia, P.v.M.
Thk Queensland Nut.

Botanical Name.—Macadamia, in honour of John Macadam, M.D., of
Victoria, Hon. Sec. of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria at the time
the plant was described before that body; iernifolia (Latin), terni (three
together), the leaves being commonly in threes. They, however, sometimes
form a whorl of four, and in very rare instances, even five.

F. Fi., pi. 23

STENOCAPPUS SALIGNUS, R.Br. (A Beef-wood.)

F. Fl., pi. 40.

MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA, F.v. M. (The Queensland Nut.)

179

Vernacular Xamc. — The name Queensland J^J^ut is in universal use, owing
to the tree having been first discovered in the Northern State. It was
subsequently found in New South Wales also, but the first name is firmly
fixed, and is lilvcly to remain so.

Leaves. — The variation in the number of leaves in the whorl and of the
margin is very considerable.

Fruit. — This tree bears an edible nut of excellent flavour, relished both
by aborigines and Europeans. As it forms a nutritious article of food to
the former, timber-getters aro not allowed to fell these trees. It is well
worth extensive cultivation, for the nilts are always eagerly bought. Is
said to take seven years from the time the nuts are planted before the tree
reaches maturity and bears fruit.

See an illustrated article by W. J. Allen, in Agncultural Gazette, New
South Wales, October, 1905, p. 102G.

Timber. — ^Wbod firm, fine-grained, and ornamental, as all Proteaceous
timbers are, and takes a good polish. It is of a reddish colour, and is
stated, to be occasionally used for staves, cabinet-work, veneers, shingles, and
bullock-yokes. It seems a pity to use our best iiut trees for any such
purpose. It ought to be strictly protected by law, as a food-tree.

Size. — ^Rarely more than 30 feet high, with a stem diameter of 8 inches.
Forms a fine bushy tree under cultivation.

Habitat. — Found in most of the brush country on the Tweed and Rich-
mond Rivers, N.S.W. It comes as far south as near Camden Haven, which
I believe is the most southern limit. The Queensland localities given in
the Flora Australietisis are Pine River and Moreton Bay (W. Hill) ;
Dawson and Burnett Rivers (Leichhardt) ; with the leaves less toothed, and
the flower rather larger. ,

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 40.

A. Perianth, opened out.

B. Sessile ovary, with long straight style, clavate at tlie end.

(a) Hypogynous glands uiiitetl la a ring round the ovary,
c. Anther.

D. Fruit, showing exocarp and putnmen. '■'.

E. Vertical section sliowiug two fleshy cotyledons.

180

The She Oaks^

(CASUARINA).

1. Casuarina lepidopJdoia (Belah), ""»

2. Casuarina glauca (Salt-water Swamp Oak).

3. Casuarina suberosa (Black She Oak).

4. Casuarina Cunninghamiana (River Oak).

5. Casuarina stricta (Drooping SBe Oak).

6. Casuarina Luehmanni (Bull Oak).

7. Casuarina torulosa (Forest Oak).

General Remarks on She Oaks.

Vernacular Names. — Origin of the Term "She Oah." Casuarinas are
known as " Oaks " or " She Oaks." Various species go under the name of
'' Forest Oak," " River Oak," " Swamp Oak," " Bull Oak," " Black Oak,"
" Belah " or " Belar," " Beef wood." These are the principal names, but
there are a number of others, which will be given as the various species
come under review.

The origin of the name " She Oak " has from time to time given rise to
discussion, but it is quite clear.

The aborigines name ttie Casuarina Sh.e-look, which has probably been cor-
rupted bv the early settlers into She Oak. (George Bennett, Ind. Progress of
N.S.W. (1870). Art. Oranges, p. 675.)

I cannot accept this.

In his " Flora of Tasmania," i, 340, Dr. (now Sir) Joseph Hooker says : —

She Oak, a name I believe adapted from North American " Sheack " ;
though more readily allied botanically to the Northern Oaks than any Tas-
maniau' genus except Fagus; they have nothing to do with that genus in habit
or appearance, nor with the Canadian " Sheack."

Following are extracts from letters to me concerning the origin of the
name " She Oak " from the late Prof. E. E. Morris, of Melbourne. Unfor-
tunately his notes were not printed : —

I have just received a second letter from Sir Joseph Hooker, in which he

abandons any defence of his well-known explanation I have,

as far as one can prove a negative, disproved the existence of the American
tree. I am now putting together my notes on the subject, and should they be
printed, I will send you a copy.

Personally, I do not think we need look for any far-fetched derivation of
the term " She Oak." There is evidence that it reminded the early setttlers
of oak.

The best kind is a tree with a pine top, but It is very hard, and in grain not
unlike the English Oak. (Letter of Major Ross from Sydney, 10th July, 1788.
Hist. Records, N.S.W., Vol I, Part 2, p. 172.)

See also an even earlier comparison of the wood to English Oak by
Governor Phillip, infra, p. 182.

181

The similarity of the timber of the Sydney species {e.g., G. glaucd,
suherosa, torulosa) to that of Quercus (ISTorthern Oak) is, of course, obvious.
As regards the use of the prefix " she," to denote paleness of colour or
inferiority, this is an Australian practice which has long been established^
and which is open to no doubt. Bushmen continue to use the term daily,,
thus we have " She Beech," " She Pine," " She Ironbark."

Branchlets. — The " foliage " consists of long fine apparently leafless verti-
eillate branches. Leaves are really present in Casuarinas, but are reduced
to minute whorled teeth or bristles forming the top of 'a cylindrical joint.
These branchlet-joints are formed by the concrescence of leaves, each tooth
being merely the apex of a leaf. The transit of such diminutive or rudimen-
tary leaves to those of more developed form can be traced in the allied
Family Coniferw from Cypresses to Pines.

The branchlet-joints are sometimes more or less furrowed, but, as a rule,
the furrows are not evident in living specimens, but become visible on
drying.

Timber. — Casuarina timbers vary so much in depth of tint, in the extent
and distribution of the blotchy grain (medullary rays) to which the wood
owes so much of its beauty, that it is difficult to describe it by any brief
general description. Some of the deep-red kinds imported into England at
one time very largely, Mr. Holtzapfiel, the well-known authority on tumery>
describes as —

In general colour resembling a full red mahogany, with darker red veins;
the gi-aiu is more like the Evergreen Oak (QnercMS Ilex, a Mediterranean
species) than the other European varieties, as the veins are small, slightly
curled, and closely distributed throughout the whole surface. Some specimens
are very pretty.

Most of our She Oaks are very fissile, and show a handsome blotchy oak-
like grain, often different, however, in colour. The timber is hard and
heavy, and that of some kinds very tough. ,

The principal use of She Oak timber is for fuel, for which purpose it is
excellent. It is also used for shingles, and at one time largely for staves,
though far less at the present time. It is excellent for ornamental turnery
work generally, aiid for cabinet work, for which it is generally used in
veneers. Then we have such uses as veneer for the backs of brushes, and
for what is known at Tunbridge ware. For all the above uses (except
shingles and staves), I am of opinion that there might be created for
various She Oak timbers a very large demand in Great Britain and the
continent of Europe, Some of them, e.g.. River Oak and Swamp Oak, are
much prized for bullock-yokes, as their timber is comparatively light and
tough, and the bolts do not work loose. The She Oak timber makes excellent
mauls, tool-handles, and very ornamental walking-sticks, good screws of
hand-screws ; in fact, one species or another may be put to very many useful
purposes.

This timber was called into requisition early in the history of Australian
colonisation, and was beginning to get scarce immediately round the setttle-
ment in Sydney Cove only four months after the landing. Governor Phillip
(quoted by G. B. Barton) at that date says : —

The timber which in its growth resembles the fir-tree warps less (than gum
timber), but we are already obliged to fetch it from some distance, and it will
not float.

182

Two months later Phillip wrote :

The barracks and all buildings in future will be covered with shingles, wliieh
we now make from a tree like the pine-tree in appearance, tlie wood resembling
the English Oak. (Barton's History of .V.»S.1I'., i, 301.)

This is the earliest record of " She Oak " for shingles, a use to which it
is extensively put up to the present day.

A Plea for tJte Cultivation of She Oals.

I would draw attention to the merits of this tree as a substitute for the
everlasting Pinus insignis of California, which seems to be grown im-
moderately in New South Wales. C. suber-osa grows in the poorest soil,
provided it be stony and well drained. It has a pine-like habit, and is even
more graceful than most pines, does not attain a very large size, and forms a
copse or an avenue which has a very pleasuig appearance.

I go further, and say that if Australians would only take it into their
heads to grow their She Oaks (and Ave have species for salt-water, fresh-
water, for arid situations, and sterile places) they would be charmed at the
result. A well-grown She Oak is one of the most beautiful trees in Aus-
tralia, and alfords a pleasing contrast to the trees mostly grown, and in
most cases suits our climatic conditions far better than the imported pines.
The seed is very cheap (anyone can gather a few cones, place them on a
sheet of newspaper and let them shed their seeds), the seed readily germi-
nates, the trees are remarkably free from disease, grow rapidly, and their
timber, apart from other uses, forms the best fuel we have.

Casuarina lepidophloia, E.v.M

The Belah.

Botanical Name. — Casuarina, owing to the resemblance of the branch-
lets to the feathers of the Cassowary (Casuarius) ; lepidopJtloia, (Jreek lepii^.
Jepidos (= Latin squama) a scale; phloios, the inner bark or smooth bark of
a tree, hence scaly-bark.

Vernacular Names. — This tree is rarely called by any name other than
its aboriginal one (Belah). In some districts, e.g. (Grenfell) it is known
as "Bull Oak," but this should be reserved for C. Luehmanni.

Following is confirmation of the statement that the " Belah " is also
known as " Bull Oak " by some people : —

In pointing out that " Belah " and " Bull Oak "' are really dlff(>rent trees,
Mr. Dalton, of Wanaaring, states: "The Beiah is always called about Wanaar-
ing by the name of Belah, and the only time I have lieard it called 'Bull Oak''
Is by people coming from inside districts."

The name '■' Black Oak" is in use at Mount Lyndhurst, S. A. (M. Koch).

'Aboriginal Names. — " Belah," or " Belar," is the name almost universally
in use. At the same time, I am unable to say what tribe in Belah country
used it. Mr. Bailey (piotes Mr. Watkins as giving '•' Billa " in use for C.
glauca by the Stradbroke Island (Brisbane) aborigines. It is therefore
possible that " Billa " or '' Belah " is an aboriginal name for Casuarinas in

183

general. Sir Thomas Mitchell gave " Ngeu " as the aboriginal name, in use
at " Regent Lake," Lachlan River, for a Casuarina (probably the Belah).
" Gooree " -was an aboriginal name at Ten-y-hie-hie, New England, New
South Wales; " Alkoo," of Mount Lyndhurst, South Australian blacks (M.
Koch) .

Leaves (Branchlets). —

Chiefly used for feeding stock in dry times, and is considered one of the best
Oalvs for til is puriwse. (District Forester C. Marriott, Dubbo.)

Tlie Belah is sometimes eaten by stock, is very woody and astringent, which
is claimed for all the ('usuarinas in this (Coolabah) district. If fed to stock
for any length of time the results are disastrous. (R. W. Peacock.)

Stock will eat Belah in times of drought if hard pushed, but the settler does
not fell Belah for fodder when he has Mulga, Leopardwood, Rosewood, Kurra-
jong. Supple Jack, &c., of a more nutritious character. (11. V. Jackson).

Valuable for fodder in S.A, (M. Koch.)

Timber. — The character of this timber is its absence of figure, most
remarkable for a She Oak. The outer portion (not the sap-wood, which is
very narrow) is pale-coloured, while the inner portion is of a rich, reddish-
brown, or even chocolate colour.

Hard to cut or saw, but splits freely with the grain. (District Forester C.
Marriott. )

A first-class fuel wood.

It is very easily killed by ringbarking, never suckers, and burns very readily.
Timber is rather straight and tough, but most liable to split with the weathei*!
(R. W. Peacock.)

Timber very hard, and if split it makes good rails, but it decays rapidly in
contact with tlie ground. (R. Kidston, Condobolin.)

Split Belah makes good posts, and stands fairly well in the ground, but
cannot be compared to Mulga and Gidgee. Round sappy posts soon rot in tlie
ground. (H. V. Jackson.)

The timber is excessively hard, but brittle ; it is much used for fencing posts.
(K. IT. Bennett, Ivanhoe, via Hay.)

Tlie tree is a quick-growing, fast-decaying one, and it begins to die frequently
before it lias ceased growing. It is a rare thing to cut down a tree thoroughly
sound throughout. The decay begins at the tap-root in the form of a white
mould ; this works up into the heart, which becomes dry and hollow, and irr
course of time the whole tree becomes a i)il)e. Tlie inside of this is excessively
Jiard, and under the axe flies to pieces like glass. It is useless as a liuilding
timl>er, but the trees being straight tliey are much used for log fencing and
building rough stiKkyards. (Richard Bennett.)

Good for firewood ; sometimes used for bullock-yokes, but liable to split. No-
use for post or outside work. (R. J. Dalton, Wanaaring.)

See a valuable note on Belah, by Mr. Gordon Burrow, in Part 60 of my
" Forest Flora of New South Wales."

Habitat. — The Belah is the commonest Casuarina of the interior, and it
and Pino (Callitris) are almost the only timber trees found there — in
depressions of the land or actually moist localities. These big trees require
more moisture than shrubby species, because the roots must go down deep
to water. In this connection the following reply (based on Schimper) to %
correspondent, who wrote to me asking why the great plains of New South.
Wales are apparently devoid of timber, may be of soine interest: —

Tlie great grass-land iilains of Australia are, when xerophilous, technically
.•steppe.-!, and xerophilous grass-land containing isolated trees is savanvah. I
tnke it that you are referring both to steppe and savannah country, for there
is no hard-and-fast line between them.

184

Now, in a tree, the transpiring surface (tlie leaves) is at a greater distance
from the water supply in the soil than it is in the shrub or herb ; besides this,
the strata of air surrounding that transpiring surface have properties different
to a certain extent from those nearer the soil ; finally, at least in many cases,
the transpiring surface of the tree is larger when compared with the corres-
ponding surface of the ground than it is in the shrug or herb.

What is essential to the existence of trees is the continuous presence of a
supply of water within reach of the extremities of the roots, and therefore at
a considerable depth in the soil. It is immaterial during what season this
supply is renewed. In our treeless plains it is (usually) the case that the
■supply of water several feet below the surface is wanting, or at all events is
too intermittent to permit the continued existence of tree-life. The winds are
also an important factor, inasmuch as they agitate the air and greatly increase
the transpiration of the leaves. The water transpired can only be drawn up
from below, and finally a balance is reached between the efforts of the wind to
■dissipate the moisture of the leaves and those of the tree roots to keep up the
supply. Thus the winds may result in the death of trees and of the tendency
of the country to form plains or savannahs or steppes.

The Belah prefers fairly good, slightly undulating, or rather flat land,
liable to inundations.

Generally found in gilgai country. Plentiful in this district. (District
Forester Marriott, Dubbo.) Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range. (Forest
Guard W, Dunn.)

Following are some localities for Belah, represented in the National
Herbarium, Sydney: —

, New South Wales.

Denilinquin (District Forester O. Wilshire) ; Balranald; Gunbar, 50 miles
from Hay, " Belah or Scrub Oak " ; none within 20 or 30 miles from Hay
{D. A. Wilson, Acting Forester) ; common near Moama (District Forester
O. Wilshire) ; Wagga Wagga ; Cootamundra ; West of Grenfell (District
Forester Osborn, J.H.M.) ; Cowra; Forbes district (J. B. Donkin, R. H.
Oambage) ; Condobolin (J.H.M.) ; on rich, dark, loamy soil, in the immedi-
ate neighbourhood of Myall and Salt-bush plains (R. Kidston, Condobolin) ;
■*' between the Upper Bogan and Lachlan " (Mr. L. Morton) ; Dandaloo,
Bogan River (R. H. Cambage). This is near the place where Richard
Ounningham, the Botanist and Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens,
lost his life in 1835. The Belah is

" The gloomy Casuarina trees that witnessed the bloody deed "

-of Richard Cunningham's murder (Mitchell, Trop. Aust., 24) ; Coolabah
;and the Bogan generally (J.H.M.) ; East Nymagee (R. H, Cambage) ;
Bourke (J.H.M.) ; also on the Hungerford-road (see photo.) ; Nyngan
(J.H.M.); Dubbo (District Forester Marriott); Coonamble; Curlewis;
Moree (W. S. Campbell) ; Narrabri (J.H.M.) ; Porcupine Ridge, Gunnedah
(W. W. Froggatt) ; Warrah, on sandy ridges (Jesse Gregson).
Found also in Victoria and South Australia.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 51.

A. Type specimen (fruit). 1, Young cone; 2, Ripe cone; 3, Winged

nut, containing seed. " Between the Bogan and Lachlan Rivers."

B. Type specimens (staminiferous fiowers). Between the Upper

Bogan and Lachlan."
c. Part of a branch showing portions of two joints.

D. Whorled bracts representing leaves, opened out.

E. A single staminiferous fiower, consisting of a single stamen between

two floral bracts.

F. Winged nut, containing seed, much enlarged.

G. Ripe cone.

F. Fl., pi. 51.

CASUARINA LEPIDOPHLOIA, F.v.M. (Belah.)

185

\

Casuarina glaiica, Sieb.

' The Swamp Oak.

Botanical Name. — Glauca (see the original description), in reference to
the .glaucousness of the branchlets.

Vevnuculai- Names. — The commonest and most expressive name is " Salt-
water Swamp Oak," to distinguish it from the "Fresh-water Swamp Oak'*
(C. C unninghamiana) . Sometimes it is simply called " Swamp Oak," or
merely "River Oak," but ''River Oak " is a far better name for C. Cun-
ningkamiana, as the rivers on the banks of which C. glauca is found are
only tidal. I recommend, the name " Swamp Oak " for this tree, and shall
recommend the name " River Oak " to be resented for C. C unninghamiana.

Ahoiicjiiml Names.— The late Sir William Macarthur gives, in the Exhibi-
tion Catalogue, Paris, 1855, the name " Oomburra," and in the Exhibition
Catalogue, London, 1862, the name " Comburra," for the '* Salt-water
Swamp Oak," a " tall-growing species, found only near the margin of salt
water; its wood not much valued." He gives the name " Coomban " for tha
" Forest Swamp Oak " — " usually found in groups or small detached dense
thickets in moist places, or ' open forest ground.' Wood much used for
purposes in which lightness and toughness are required."

I am inclined to think that the names are really identical, his own, or
printer's errors having contributed; to the confusion. Perhaps even now
the correct name or names may be obtained and recorded. Mr. F. M.
Bailey ("Queensland Flora," p. 1490) quotes Mr. Watkins, who gives
" liilla " as the aboriginal name of this tree at Stradbroke Island.

Leaves (Branchlets). — I have seen cattle leaving fair grass for branchlets
of this plant, and probably they will feed more or less on the " leaves " of all
Ca.suarinas.

Timber. — It is of a pale brown colour, redder when fresh, drying to an
oak-brown. A specimen of " Salt-water Swamp Oak," collected by the late
Sir William" Macarthur,- is so light, and has so little figure, that a second
glance is necessars^ to be quite sure that it is Casuarina wood at all. Sir
William says of it: "Tall-growing; found only near the margin of salt
water. Wood not much valued,."

The timber is strong and tough, and is used for staves, shingles, &c., alsa
for rails, but not for posts. It is beautifvdly marked, close in the grain,
and rather tough ; brittle. It might be useful for cabinet-work.

A 8i>ecimen from Gosford (Swamp Oak) is tough and difficult to dress.
The heart-wood is of a purple colour.

It is used at Cooranbong for bullock-yokes, and at Taree for chisel-
handles and walking-sticks.

Mr. District Forester Rotton, of Nowra, reports: —

The heart (red wood) of this tree makes the very best caulking mallets-
for shi|)huilding purposes. It is also used for bullock-yokes, and handles of
every <lescription. The saplings are suitable, and have been proved to be
excellent and very durable for rafters to buildings.

On part of the Berry Estate they have been used, and after over fifty years*
use are as sound as the day when they were cut. This timber must be kept
dry, and not exposed to the influence of the weather.

186

At Sussex Inlet, St. George's Basin, I have seen a barn, 28 years old
(1917), entirely constructed of this timber, ground-blocks and all. It has
never had a coat of paint, and is fairly sound.

Size. — This is a rather erect tree, usually not much above 50 feet high, and
with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. It has not a deeply furrowed, but a more
or less cracked or flaky bark.

Habitat. — In coastal New South Wales and Queensland, where, indeed, it
is sometimes known as " Coast Swamp Oak," it is usually found in sandy
and in low, black-mould, swampy places, and tidal creeks, sometimes growing
in salt water.

In Eastern Australia I have seen it from the Shoalhaven River, New
South Wales, (in the south) to Rockhampton, Queensland (in the north),
and I should be very glad if observers would look out for it beyond those
limits.

It does not always grow on flats near the water's edge. For example, the
clump of She Oaks, in a dry situation, near Governor Bourke's Statue, in
the Outer Domain, at Sydnej', was not planted by the hand of man, and
it is in a high and dry situation, many feet above high-water mark. The
Sydney Botanic Gardens contains natural clumps of this species, which is
still abundant in Port Jackson, and must have been verj' plentiful there
at one time.

There is a very fine row of this species along the creek (which I am
informed is brackish) at Edensor Park (Mr. William Harris), 4§ miles from
Liverpool, on the road to Badgery's Creek.

I also found this species on the road from Liverpool to Bringelly, near
Cabramatta (the old village of that name, now called Rossmore). The water
here is also brackish in a dry time. Here we have localities at a considerable
distance from the sea-shore, or tidal water, showing that the species is not
exclusively confined to the coast. It has also been proved to be an inland
species in New South Wales, and much more inland that in Western
Australia. It would appear, therefore, that both in New South Wales and
in Western Australia the vicinity of brackish water is necessary for the
existence of this species.

Acting District Forester W. F. Crowley has sent this " Swamp Oak " to
me from Bodalla and Bermagui^ the latter being the most southerly locality
known to me.

As regards Victoria, Mueller (" Key to the System of Victorian Plants,"
ii,12) records it from the north-west of that State only. All the specimens
I have seen from the north-west are C. lepidophloia, but I think collectors
will probably find it near the sea in Eastern Victoria.

Coming to South Australia, Tate (" Flora of S. Australia," p. 220) shows
C. glauca from '' South of central district, extending from Lake Torrens to
the Barrier Range, and the plain of the lower Murray River," also C.
lepidophloia from the plain of the Lower Mirrray. I have not hitherto seen
C. glauca from South Australia, and am, indeed, by no means certain of
the identification.

In Western Australia, its occurrence in both coastal and interior localiti.^?
has been proved, as I have already shown at some length, and I expect that
collectors will find it, not only in South Australia, but also in Western New-
South Wales and Queensland.

F. Fl., pi. 55

CASUARINA CLAUCA,Sieb. (The Swamp Oak)

187

EXPLANATION OF PLATE o5. ^

A. Twig, with young plstillifcrous flowers and cones.

B. Pistilllferous flower,
c. Twig, witli cones.

D. Ripe cone.

K. Winged nut contiiining seed (enlarged).

F. Branclilets, witli staniiniferous flowers.

v.. Staniinferous flower.s.

ir. Portion of branclilet in transverse section, sliowlng iwrtions of

two joints.
I. Portion of branclilet, opened out, i.e., wliorled bracts represeutiug

leaves.

Casuarina suherosa, Otto et Dictr.
' The Black She Oak.

Botanical Name. — Suherosa, Latin (corky), in allusion to the appe.arance
of the bark. The name is not .specially appropriate.

Vernacular Xames. — On this tree a number of appellations have been
bestowed, viz. : — " Erect She Oak " (a name which refers to the general habit
of the tree) ; " Forest Oak " (a name which had perhaps better be left to
C. torulosa) is in common use for it over large areas of country.

In Tasmania it goes by the name of " Swamp Oak " and " Marsh Oak " ;
other species pass under these names on the mainland. On the mainland
(J. suherosa is not a moisture-loving species. In Tasmania it was pointed
out to me as " Bull Oak," but here, again, another species is so-called in
Australia. In Tasmania it is also called " He Oak." I propose the name
'' Black She Oak " for the species, because of its dark aspect. It is fairly
appropriate, and has not been adopted for any other species.

Leaves. — The "leaves" (branchlets) are sometimes used to a small extent
for fodder, but this spiecies is one of the least valuable of the She Oaks for
that purpose.

Barh. — The bark of this tree is rugged-looking, with hard, corky layers.
The inner bark is reddish-brown, and displays on its inner surface the
lenticular appearance characteristic of the genus. One analysis of the bark
gave 13- T) per cent, of tannin, but many more experiments retiuire to bo
made before its value as a tanning material can be assessed with certainty.

Timber. — It is a red timber when fresh, and has the peculiar blotchy-
markings common to most timbers of the Casuarinae. It is very fissile, and
hence is used for shingles. It is used to some extent for brush-backs and
for Tunbridge ware generally. It is useful for screws of handscrews, for
makinw' gauges, rails, &c., of chairs, and for clean turnery. Other uses are
for bullock-yokes, mauls, and tool-handles. The Yarra (Victoria) blacks
are said to have made boomerangs of it. Its chief drawback is its tendency
to warp in drying, hence it is often used in veneers. It makes excellent fuel.
It is often used, unsawn, for rafters.

Mr. District Forester Rotton, of Nowra, says it is

use<l for shingles and bullock-yokes. Settlers sometimes use this timber for
rough furniture such as tables and stools. It is also used for pick and hammer
handles : is excellent fuel, and is often used by bakers, as it sends out great
heat and leaves little ash.

188

Size. — It is not a large tree. It rarely attains a larger size than a height
of 40 feet, and a stem-diameter of li to 2 feet.

Habitat. — It occurs in all the States except Western Australia. It is not
found in the centre of Australia; but, although its' natural habitat is the
•coast and coast mountain ranges, on iDoor, rocky soil, it is found in moun-
tainous country many miles west of Sydney.

It is very common in Tasmania. It is found all over Victoria except in
the north-west.

In South Australia Prof. Tate gives the range as south of the Murray
Desert, embracing the 90-mile Desert and the Tatiara.

It is found from south to the extreme north of Queensland.

In New South Wales it is very widely diffused. In the coast districts it
is found from the Victorian to the Queensland border. It is common in
the tablelands from end to end of the State. Its westerly range appears
to be the Castlereagh River.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 72.

A. Branch' with pistilliferous flowers.

B. Twig with cones. /
c. Winged nut containing seed.

D. Braucti witli staminiferous flowers.

E. Staminiferous flowers.

F. Portion of branclilet, stiowing portions of two joints.

G. Whorletl bracts representing leaves, opened out.

Casuarina Cunninghamiana, Miq.

The Ei\er Oak.

Botanical Name. — Cunninghamiana, in honour of Allan Cunningham,
King's Botanist, and formerly Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens,
Sydney.

Vernacular Names. — " River or White Oak." This is the commonest tree
on the banks of the most of our fresh-water rivers, and therefore the name
^' River Oak " is specially appropriate. C. glauca is the River Oak found
on the margins of tidal rivers.

Leaves (B?-anchleis). — This is a tree whose branches were felled in

■enormous quantities for stock-feeding during the late drought. In many

districts the mortality amongst sheep and cattle would have been far
greater than it was had it not been for this valuable tree.

Fruits. — This species is the smallest fruited of all the New South Wales
She Oaks.

Timher. — Sap-wood white. Wood red (not deep), with a purplish east.
It dries to a brownish-purple. Some of it has a handsome figure. It is used
for bullock-yokes (District Forester Stopford, Armidale), shingles, and
staves. This and other Casuarinas burn well, and their ashes retain the
heat for a long while. I look upon it as a vahiable timber, and it can be
obtained of largo size. Wood strong, light, very tough when dry; excellent
for many purposes requiring lightness and strength; stated by some to be
not durable if exposed to the weather.

One of tlie most durable oaks, is suitable for bullock-yokes, handles, &c.
< District Forester Rotton, Nowra.)

F. Fl., pi. 72.

CASUARINA SUBEROSA, Otto & Dietr. (The Black She-Oak.)

ISO

I should like to obtain additional evidence as to the durability of River
Oak when exposed to the weather.

The River Oak, it will be noticed, is of a much paler colour than the Bull
Oak or Belah, and although it has many uses, yet, owing to the liraitefl supply
it is not much used. In fact, landowners who have it growing on their pro-
perty fronting the river or creeks object to it being cut down, as it assists to
keep the banks together as well as providing a shade. It is, in my opinion, a
much better timber than any of the oaks I have mentioned. (District Forester ^
Osborne, Cootamundra.)

Size. — The largest of all Casuarinas. 1 have seen it probably near 100
feet high, and with a trunk diameter of 6 feet, and perhaps more.

Habitat. — Widely distributed over New South Wales along river banks,
and in shingle beds. It is found in warm coastal districts, in the cold
mountain districts, e.g., Blue Mountains, Orange, and New England, and
in the western country beyond Dubbo. It can be readily recognised from
the figure, and I ask correspondents to give me specific localities south of
the Shoalhaven River, and west of Dubbo, Narrandera, and Grenfell. It
extends to Queensland, Bentham having received it from the Gilbert River,
but its range in that State requires to be defined.

27te River Oak as a Bank Protector. — It is a tree which is readily propa-
gated, and it should be faithfully conserved, for besides its value as a stock
food in time of drought, it is one of the best trees we have for protecting the
friable banks of rivers. The banks had in the course of ages acquired an
equilibrium which has been largely destroyed by the white man. He has
ruthlessly cut down the River Oaks to obtain more ready access to the river
frontage, and to enlarge the area of cultivated land, but the latter aim has
often been defeated through the consequent falling in of the banks. Per-
haps I may at this place be permitted to make quotations from a paper
"written by me : —

Tlie paddock is the unit in considering the effects of erosion. Much of the
mischief has already been done, but intelligent conservation of existing and
future trees has vast possibilities for good. It ought to be made penal to
ringbark up to a certain distance from a watercourse, or to cut down a River
Oak on any of the rivers (watercourses), except under a special license only
to be obtained after due enquiry. The reason of the suggestions is because
improper ringing or felling affects the riparian owner lower down, and he has
quite enough difficulties to cimtend with which are beyond human control, to
be victimised by the ignorant act of his fellow-man higher up the stream. I
could give an instance where a man cut down River Oaks to make culverts;
the River Oak timber is now perished, and if he had gone but a few yards
away he could have got almost imperishable ironbark. He lias now to repair
his culvert, but his River Oaks are gone, his banks are falling away where he
removed them, and a larger culvert is now re<iuired. In the case of a casual
labourer this wonld have been termtnl living from hand to mouth. In the
present instance it is miserable expediency and opportunism unworthy of
thinking men. If the results of acts like this would alone affect the doer, we
could view the matter with complacency.

Tiatural Bank Protectory. — Let us observe the interlacing and ramification
of the roots of trees in good soil (such as these flats and river banks). It is
very extensive, and their mechanical action in arresting washaways is obvious.
One can see evidence that the banks of the Upper Hunter streams were much
more lined with trees than at present. In many parts of the Hunter and its
tributaries one sees large River Oaks (many of them past their prime) leaving
no descendants to contiiuie their work of bank preservation. The young seed-
lings are palatable to stock, and hence they are eaten out if they have free
access to them. This points to the necessary precaution that stock should not
have unfettered access to the bed of a stream, as if it were a public highway.

190

The seedling oaks should be carefully conserved until they are out of reach
of stock. Great numbers of River Oaks have ben cut down this year (1902) for
fodder alone.

One lays special stress on the value of the River Oak for pui'poses of bank
pi'otection. for the reason that it has been for ajjes the natural bank protector
of these streams, and has become larjiely adai)ted to its euvii'onment. At the
same time the acquisition of these lands by the white man. and his methotl of
dealing with the banks and adjacent country, constitutes a marked change in
the conditions, and it may be that other trees are even better than the River
Oak for purposes of bank conservation. River Oaks have not a large tap-root :
they have rather flat, spreading roots, which penetrate the rich soil and silt
on the bed of gravel already alluded to. When this gravel becomes bared, as
it does in so many places, the River Oak heels over and falls into the stream
just as a boulder does.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE SO.

A. Branch bearing pistilliferous flowers.

J5. Pistilliferous flower, enlarged.

c. Branch bearing fruits (cones).
; D. Young cones.

[ E. Winged nut, containing seed.

F. Branch bearing staminiferous flowers.

G. Staminiferous flowers.

H. Part of branch showing portions of two joints.
I. Whorled bracts, representing leaves, opened out.

Casuarina stricta^ Ait.

The Droopixg She-Oak.

Botanical Name. — Stricta, Latin (drawn out, i.e., into a narrow bundle) ;
hence, speaking cf the branches of a plant, rigid or erect. Aiton, in his
original description of this species, speaks of it as the " Upright Casuarina."'
As Bentham has already pointed out, its branches are only exceptionally
rigid. But the " Mountain Oak " of the Dubbo district, for example, is very
erect in habit, and a similar habit has been noted from other localities. The
female trees are more strict (erect) than the males, and often quite the
reverse of drooping.

Vei~nacular Names. — The commonest name of this tree is simply " She-
Oak." It is often called " Mountain Oak " in the western districts, for
obvious reasons. It is not easy to submit a suitable vernacular name,
especially as few people give it any particular designation, and it bears the
somewhat unfortunate botanical name, " stricta." I submit the name
'• Drooping She-Oak," which is not a new one, and which is fairly descriptive,
for general acceptance. I have known it called " Black Oak " at Deniliquin,
"Bull Oak" at Wybong, and "Sour Oak" (because of the taste of ths
branchlets) at Denman close by.

Leaves (BrancJileis). — In cases of severe thirst, relief may be obtained
from chewing the foliage of this and other species, M'hich being of an acid
nature, produces a flow of saliva — a fact well known to bushmen who have
traversed waterless portions of the country. This acid is closely allied to
citric acid, and may prove identical with it. The branchlets of this species
appear to be more sour than those of any other. Children chew the younr?
cones, which they call " oak apples."

This is a useful fodder tree in South Australia, Victoria, and southern
New South Wales. Mr. S. Dixon states that in Port Lincoln (S-A..) the

F. Fl., pi. 59.

CASUARINA CUNNINGHAMIANA, Miq. iThe River Oak.)

191

fallen catkins (male inflorescence) form the chief sustenance in winter on
much of the overstocked countrj-. He adds that this tree is too sour to be
very useful to ewes rearing lambs; but if sheep had only enough of it, the
^' break " or tenderness of fibre would often be prevented in our fine-wool
districts, and much money saved by the increased value a sound staple
always commands.

The foliage is eagerly browsed upon by stock, and in cases of drought
these trees arc pollarded for the cattle. Old bullock-drivers say that cattle
prefer the foliage of the female plant. — (J, E. Brown.) Casuarina foliage
has a pleasant acidulous taste, but it contains a very- large proportion of
ligneous matter.

I'sed for stock feeding in dry time and considered fair feed. ( Dist. Forester
Marriott.)

When tbese trees are lopped for stock feed, the following y^ar they send
out a profusion of youug foliage, and are very pretty in appearance. (Forest
Hanger Taylor, Wagga Wagga.)

For those who desire further particulars in regard to this, the most
valuable fodder tree of all the She-Oaks, see Mr. Feld's experience as
related in Part 60 of my " Forest Flora of New South Wales."

Fruits. — This species yields the largest fruits of any Casuarina in Kew
South Wales. Mr. Cambage has measured them 2^ inches long. I have
received cones from South Australia' (Mr. Walter Gill) 2i inches long and
up to If inches broad. —

Timher. — The wood is hard, rather pale when fresh, and with prominent
red medullary rays. It dries to a reddish colour, and has dark bands running
through it, chiefly in a longitudinal direction, which gives to the polished
wood a fine mottled appearance, rendering it very suitable for the manu-
facture of furniture. It is also used in turnery, and for such articles as
hullock-yokes, wheel-spokes, axe-handles, staves, shingles, &c. As fuel, it
can hardly be excelled (Mueller and .1. E. Bro\vn). The appearance of this
handsomie wood is very difficult to describe, its heart-wood is darker and
less handsome than the other iwrtions. It works up splendidly. It is,
however, too small to be used for large articles of furniture. In western
New South Wales it is not used except for fuel.

Size. — It is a small tree, say, of 20 or 30 feet, and diameter up to IS
inches.

Habitat. — It occurs in every State of the Commonwealth except Queens-
land, and even in that State I should not be surprised to hear of it being
found.

It is one of the Casuarinas found both on the coast and in the interior,
and therefore it is probable that a certain percentage of salt in the soil is
necessary for its healthy existence.

New South Wales. — Of coastal localities we have Twofold Bay (already
quoted), Jervis Bay ( J.H.M.) ; tops of hills between Otford and Stanwell
Park (E. Betche and J.H.M.) ; and Newport (K. H. Cambage). The two
last localities are very instructive. When Mr. Cambage found this at
Newport he remarked to me, " This is on the Narrabeen shale,* and I in-
tend to go to Otford to see if the species is found where the same formation

* Tlie Narrabeen shale outcrops around Narrabeen and thence to near Kin-
cumber. Broken Bay di-strict. In the south it occurs at Otford. It does not
exteud, on the surface, far Inland.

193

reappears." I replied that I had personaUy collected it in that locality. In
this particular locality it is confined to the slopes near the top of the ridges,
and is never seen on the flat terraces or strands close to the water's edge.
Near Otford its fellow trees are BanTcsia integiifolia and Eucalyptus
hoiryoides. Mr. A. G. Hamilton informs me that it occurs 100 feet higher
than the pit-mouth at Mount Kembla, on the Narrabeen shale formation.
This is an instance of the way in which vegetation may be representative
of geological formations. We have but few observations on the subject at
present, but it affords a most fascinating field for inquiry, to which two
well-qualified observers, Messrs. E. H. Cambage and E. C. Andrews, are
giving attention.

On the coast, and particularly in the southern States, this species grows
on sandy land quite close to the sea.

The following interesting note refers to its occurrence in the interior: —

They grow in eouipaiiy or close clumps, upon decomposed slate or trap-rock
formation, also on granite outcrops, and in some cases on sand ridges, but in
every instance the situations are very dry and of a barren appearance, always
on high, steep ridges.

The He-Oak, or male tree, always occupies the high side of the ridge, over-
shadowing the She-Oalj, so that the slightest breeze shakes the pollen on the
female tree. The male tree is a very compact round-topped tree, with a good
shape, and with a much brighter green than the opposite sex.

The She-Oak is of a moi'e spreading and drooping habit, spare of foliage, and
wanting in symmetry or defined outline. (Forest Ranger Taylor, Wagga
Wagga, September, 1892.)

Mr. R. H. Cambage also speaks of its occurrence on igneous hills,
although, as he points out, it is not restricted to one formation.

Representative localities in the National Herbarium include Deniliquin
(Forester Wilshire), where it is known as "Black Oak"; Wanganella, near
Hay (E. C. OflS^cer) ; Weddin, near Young (J.H.M.). Going more west we
have Condobolin (J.H.M.) and Dubbo (District Forester Marriott), where
it is known as "Mountain Oak." Going north, we find it in various
localities in which characteristic western vegetation is found considerably
to the east, e.g., "Bull Oak" on stony hills, Wybong (A. Rudder), "Sour
Oak " on the southern slopes of the hills around Denman (J.H.M.),, and at
Mount Dangar (J. L. Boorman).

Propagation. — From seed. It is an excellent tree for sea-side planting,
and should be extensively propagated for that purpose. Some of the hand-
somest trees in the coastal belt of Victoria and South Australia are of
this species. One of the most beautiful trees I have seen is in a street at
Port Fairy, Victoria, beautifully symmetrical, and affording plenty of
shade. The wind, so detrimental to the shape of trees in exposed situations
as a rule, does not appear to affect the beauty of this species, and I would
therefore recommend that She-Oaks for sea-side planting be added to
the scanty list of those trees whose merits for the purpose have been well
ascertained.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE G.'j.

A. Branch with pistilliferous flowers.

15. Ripe cone.

c. Winged nut containing seed.

D. Branch with staminiferous flowers.

E. Staminiferous flower.

E. Portion of joint of branchlet showing point of insertion into whorl.
i G. Whorletl bracts representing leaves, opened out.

F. R., pi. 65.

CASUARINA STRICTA, Ait. (The Drooping She-Oak.)

198

Casuarma Lttehmanni, R. T. Baker.
The Bull Oak.

Botanical Nume. — Casuarina, already explained, Luehmanni, in honour
of Johann Georg Luehmanu, successor of Mueller in the post of Government
Botanist of Victoria, and who died in 1904.

Vernacular Names. — " Bull Oak " is certainly its commonest name, being
in use over extensive areas in New South Wales and South Australia.

In South Australia it is often called " Swamp Oak," according to Mr.
Walter Gill, for it often grows in land liable to iimndation.

Leaves. — It is an erect species with rather wirj' branchlets, which some-
times take on the habit as if they were electrified, and endeavour to stand
apart from each other. This habit, it will be understood, is difierent from
that of most species of the genus, whose branchlets are more bunchy and
compact.

In times of <lrought used for feeding stock, but is very binding wlien used
to any extent by itself. (District Forester Marriott, Dubbo. )

Fruit. — The fruit in this species is so exceptional in shape that it appears
desirable to draw special attention to it.

Timber. — Of a red colour, and of rather a coarse grain ; one of the species
whose medullary rays stand, out prominently, rotting last, when a tree it
felled.

This timber appears to be of little merit. It is small as a rule, and is
VLB 'd for firewood locally.

P "strict Forester Marriott, of Dubbo, says of it: —

T, Oak is chiefly used for firewood in this district, and Is considered on«
of t\v best timbers for this purpose. Used for rails and fencing purposes.

Mr. "Vv ^(lter Gill, Conservator of Forests, Adelaide, says of it:—
Timber of rather large figure ; durable for fencing-posts.

Size. — It is a tree of small or medium size, say up to 40 feet in height, with
a stem diameter of a foot.

Haljitat. — Thi. species occurs in New South Wales and Queensland;
also in South Au ^-alia and Victoria.

New South Wales.

In this State it belongs to the drier parts, e.g., the western plains and
western islopes, while some eastern localities, e.g.. Singleton, &c., are
interesting because they represent districts in which the western or Eremsean
flora has descended to comparatively near the coast.

Following are some localities represented in the National Herbarium,
Sydney: — Deniliquin (Forester O. Wilshire) ; Barhami, Murray River
(Assistant-Forester Chanter) ; B^/lraDald (Forester G. S. M. Grant) ; " West
of Gl-enfell" (District Forester 0 >orne).

This is the Forest Oak of the WeL'iigton country, and is a tree very similar
in appearance to the Swamp Oak (C glauca, Sieb.) of Port Jackson. It Is
a tree of about 50 feet in height, and " a stiff and by no means ornamental
appearance. November, 1851. (The late C. Moore.)

Minore, near Dubbo (J. L. Boorman) ; Dubbo district (District Forester
C. Marriott) ; Castlereagh River ( ? Collector) ; between Gilgandra and
Gummin Gummin (W. Forsyth) ; Narrabri (J.H.M.) ; Gulgohg (J.H.M.
and J. L. Boorman).

Enmiaville.— Trees 20-40 feet high, 8-12 inches in diameter. Fairly plentiful'
In one particular district only, viz., Kennedy's Paddock. (J. L. Boorman.)

+ 94031— G

194

Yagobie, Moree-Inverell line (R. H. Cambage) ; Warialda ( J.H.M. and
'J. L. Boorman), some miles to the east of the preceding locality; Deepwater'
(E, C. Andrews) ; Minembah, Whittingham, near Singleton (Roderick
Browne), most eastern locality recorded.

I have also notes that I have received it from Tocumwal, Narrandera,
Ivanhoe, via Hay, Wagga Wagga, and Cowra, but as there are no specimens
from these localities in the National Herbarium, I ask my many friends
to make up the deficiency.

The following notes of some localities of the species, written by Mr. K. H.
Cambage in 1901, are very interesting. Of course, the species has been
found over a greatly extended, area since then.

Near here. Eremeran Homestead, also is C. Luclnnanni, Baker (Bull Oak),
the first met with in coming from Bourke. This tree has an extensive range,
and is very common in the Forbes to Dubbo districts. Although it does not
appear to grow in the direct line between Bourke and F]uabalong. yet to the
east of this line it extends north and south, covering a strip of country at least
100 miles wide, and finally going north-west to Barringim (R. T. Baker) on
the Queensland border. Its easterly course is stopped as soon as the cold
highlands are approached, it being a distinctly warm-country species. The
most eastern points are reached by its creeping up along the valleys of the
large rivers. Near the Lachlan there are a few trees on Neila Station, 0 miles
Bouth-east of Cowra. Along the elevated parts of the Macquarie it may be
found in limited quantities, between Hill l]nd and Bathurst. but its highest
point is reached above the latter place, at one mile east of O'Connell ; on the
south .side, and close to the Fish River, there are about a dozen stunted trees
j;rowiug on a granite bluff. The specimens collected had only fruit in a very
young stage, but the whole of the evidence available, including bark and wood,
points to the conclusion that they have been properly identified. The land
around is occupied, and it is likely that before long the species will be extinct
In this locality. In no other place have I found it growing at an altitude
exceeding 2,000 feet above sea-level, and seldom above 1.500 feet. The fact
of these ti'ees being stunted may be accounted for by their being in a climate
too cold for them ; but whether they are the remnants of a former luxuriant
growth in this locality, or simply a few stragglers outside their regular limit,
are questions whicli cannot be answered without considerable investigation. It
Is fully 2r» miles down the ilver from O'Connell before any other trees of
Bull Oak are found, though possibly others may have exist0d before the
country was cleared.

Other New South Wales localities, by Mr. Cambage, will be found in two
papers " On the Botany of the Interior of New South Wales," in the
Proceedings for 1902, Vol. xxvii.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 70.

A. Branch with pistilliferous fiowers.

B. Branch with ripe cones.

c. Winged nut, containing seed.

D. Branch with staminiferous flowers (from tj-pe specimen).

E. Part of branch, showing portions of two joints.
r. Whorled bracts representing leaves opened out.

Casuarina torulosay Ait.

The Forest Oak.

Botanical Name. — Torulosa, Latin, tondtis (diminutive of torus), a little
TOpe or cord; in botany=moniliform (Greek-mom^e, a necklace), applied
to a cylindrical body when it is swollen at regular intervals. In reference
to the branchlets, which have a more or less torulose appearance, particularly
on drying.

F. Fl., pi. 76.

CASUARINA LUEHMANNI, R. T. Baker. (The Bull Oak.)

F. Fl., pi. 63.

CASUARINA TORULOSA, Ait. (Forest Oak.)

195

Vernacular Names. — Called " Cork-bark'd Casuarina" in the origiiini
description. Its usual name is " Forest Oak," though this is not specially-
appropriate, since C suherosa equally deserves such a name. Nevertheless
it will be a convenience to adhere to " Forest Oak " for C. torulosa. Mr.
District Forester Stopford states that it is known as " Forest or Bull Oak "
in New England. We have another Casuarina to which the name " Bull
Oak " is commonly applied. I have heard, it called " Mountain Oak," but
this is not entirely appropriate. It is sometimes called " Beef -wood,"
because of the rich dark colour of the timber. In Queensland it is some-
times known as " Ked Oak."

Bark. — The bark of this tree is very deeply furrowed.

Timber. — Much used for fuel. The wood is close, and prettily marked,
yielding handsome veneers. It has a rich red colour, and the medullary
rays are very large. This handsome wood has a marking peculiarly its
own. The line of demarcation of the heart-wood is well defined. It is used
for cabinet-work, and produces very superior shingles. It is used for gun-
stocks at Taree. It is one of the best woods for oven fuel.

Mr. District Forester Eotton speaks of it : —

Timber excellent lor shingles ; also used, for bullock yokes and ladder rungs.
It is not suitable for handles, unless kept from the influence of the weather,
as it is very liable to split when exposed to the influence of the sun. It has
been found suitable for chair legs, and is an excellent firewood. It generally
grows on high good land.

Mr. District Forester Stopford, of Armidale, reports:—

Known locally as Forest or B\ill Oak, and is, I believe, torulosa. The timber,
though not usetl in this district, should from its quality be classed as a com-
mercial timber. It grows, in this district to a height of about 30 feet, and a
girth measurement of from 3 to 4 feet.

Fruits. — The fruits are unique. (See figure.)

Size. — Of medium size, say, 40 feet feet, with a diameter of 1-2 feet.

Habitat. — This species appears to be confined to New South Wales and
Queensland. In New South Wales it extends from south of Sydney (I do
riot know the precise southern boundarj^ but I have received it from Mr.
District Forester Rotton from Appin and Pieton) to Central Queensland
(I do not know the most northerly locality).

Westerly it is found near the Jenolan Caves; in the Liverpool Ranges,
New England, &c. It grows in the most sterile, stony land.

Terry's Paddock, Eastwood, is the nearest locality to Sydney knovfn
to me.

It is found at Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range, according to specimens
received from Mr. Forest Guard W. Dunn, who says it " attains a height
of 25 or more feet."

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 03.

A. Branch with young cones.

B. Ripe cones.

c. Ripe cone, shedding the seed (winged nuts).

D. Winged nut, containing seed.

E. Branch with staminiferous flowers.

F. Staminiferous flower.

G. Whorled bracts, representing leaves, opened out.

H. Portion of branchlet, showing portions of two joints.

196

The Teak Group.

1. Flindersia australis (Native Teak).

2. Flindersia Bennettiana (Crow's Ash or Bogum-Eogura).

3. Flindersia Oxleyana (Yellow-wood).

4. Flindersia Schottiana (Cudgerie).

Flindei^sia australis, 11. L>r.

The Natpve Teak.

Botanical Name. — Flindersia, in honour of Captain Matthew Flinders,
Brown's words are as follows: —

The examination of Broad Sound (where the species was collected) was
completed at the same time (September, 1802) by Captain Flinders, to com-
memorate whose merits I have selected this genus from the considerable num-
ber discovered in the expedition, of which he was the able and active com-
mander. Australis, Latin, Southern (Australian).

Vernacular Names. — "Teak" is the common name — ^that or " iN'ative
Teak." The confusion of this species. with F. Bennettiana will be dealt
with below.

" Crow's Ash " in Queensland, according to F. M, Bailey. I have not
teard such a name applied to F. australis in New South Wales. F. Bennett-
iana is sometimes known by that name.

Teah and Cudgerie. — The present affords an excellent opportunity of
drawing attention to the pioneer work which even yet remains to be done
in regard to some of even the most important of our trees. Flindersia
Bennettiana has been called Teak for many years, and the statement has
long been allowed to go unchallenged. On working up the genus, for the
purposes of the " Forest Flora," I found, however, that Teak is really the
product of F. australis. Furthermore, " Cudgerie " has for many years
been looked upon as the vernacular for F. australis, but inquiry shows that
the Cudgerie is properly F. Schottiana. The confusion, which is now cleared
up, appears to have originated in Exhibition catalogues, and is not surpris-
ing. The fruits have been wrongly matched, and anyone who has had
experience of the difficulties of botanising in the rich brush forests of this
State knows how very easy it is to attribute to a monarch of the forest,
with its towering leafy top, the wrong flowers or fruits, which are usually
only obtained lying on the ground, blown off by the wind or torn off by a
parrot or cockatoo.

As the matter of distinguishing between F. australis and F. Schottiana
is of importance, I would emphasise the following: — They can be readily
distinguished by the leaves; the leaflets in F. Schottiana are sessile or
nearly so, with a broad very oblique base, except the terminal odd one; in
F. australis, they are narrowed into a conspicuous petiole and scarcely
oblique at the base.

197

Leaves. — Attentiou is si>ecia]ly invited to the amended description of the
leaves already given. The drawing of F. australis leaves in Flinders' Voyagt
is an admirable one.

Fruit. — The natives of the Moluccas use the rough tuberculated fruits
as rasps for preparing roots, &c., for food {Treaswy of Botany). The. species
referred to is F. amhoinensis, Poir. It is very possible our aborigines have
put the fruits of F. australis (known as Kasp-pod) to a similar purpose.
They very probably ate the seeds of this and other Flindersias, but I cannot
find any record of their having done so.

The overlapping part of the fruit-valves of F. australis is muricate or
rough in this species and smooth in all others, and is a useful diagnostic
•character.

Bark. — The bark is an important character, and serves to distinguish it
from the other Flindersias with which it might be confused. It is dark brown
and rough scaly, all the other species with which I am acquainted having
-a smooth bark. ^

Timber. — Of the first rank, one of the best, indeed, that New South
Wales produces. Not only is it extensively used in this State, but it waa
largely exported to Germany. It is close-grained, heavy, difficult to work, and
<;rack8 somewhat unless carefully di'ied. The colour is yellowish-brown,
and it has no figure. It is so hard that it will break the axe in chopping
unless great care be exercised. While it is very strong, it has a somewhat
short fibre, like beech, hence it cannot be used for wine casks, a use which
was proposed.

It is a splendid building timber. At first sight when cut into boards it is
scarcely distinguishable from Hoop Pine {Araucaria Cunninghamii) . It is
cut in large quantities, especially for flooring boards, and defies the white
ants for a long time. It is excellent for outside walls, where it will last forty
or fifty years. It is the best timber for slabbing a well, as it does not turn
the colour of the water like any of the other timbers. It is durable in or
out of the ground. Teak is superior to ironbark for some purposes. It is
used for gearing wheels, and it does not splinter in the pressure of one tooth
against another. It is considered tobe the best all-roundi firewood on tho
Richmond, only excelled by " pine-knots." As firewood it can be used quite
green, and if a freshly-felled log be set fire to it will burn clean away. It
is more inflammable when green than when dry.

A large and fairly tall tree, with deciduous bark. Wood bright-yellow, of a
distinctive odour ; elastic, very oily, hard, strong, and durable. Iron fastened
Into it will not rust, us is the case with nearly every other kind of timber.

I'seful.'for general building purposes, especially verandah flooring-boards (it
having of late years taken the i)lace of Beech, being much more plentiful and
cheaper), coach-building, raihva.v-carriage. and coopers' work. It makes an
•excellent substitute for brass plummer blocks, in which (without oil) shafting
may be run at a fairly high rate of speed. In this way it has been found
especially suitable for the shafts or spindles of heavy grindstones. It is one
of our most useful and durable timbers. (Cat. Queensland, Forestry Mus.,
1904.)

Size. — It attains a height of 100 to 120 feet, and a diameter of 3 to 4
ieet.

In the Sydney newspapers of 14th May, 1906, the following paragrapli
appeared : —

Murwillumbah Mr. J. Riley, of Mooball, brought the largest teak log ever

drawn in the district into the local station. It was 16 feet 6 inches in girth,
being portion of a log containing 10,000 feet, estimated to be worth over £30."

198

Habitat. — It is confined to northern New South Wales and to Queensland.
The type came from near Upper Head, Broad Sound, a little north of
Rockhampton. It is a brush tree, and is not rare in south coastal Queensland.
In New South Wales it is " one of the principal, if not the principal, timbers
of the district, being unlimited in supply " (Forest Guard W. Dunn, Acacia
Creek, Ifacpherson Range). "It is found on the Tweed" (Forest Guard
S. E. Charles). It grows in the Big Scrub near Lismore, and in the scrubs
(brushes) all through the Richmond district. Enormous numbers of this
valuable tree have been destroyed in the process of clearing land for culti-
vation, and it is equally certain that much of this timber has been unneces-
sarily destroyed. In any scheme of forestry this is one of the trees it
should be the endeavour of the forester to conserve.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE G7. (FLOWERS.)

A. Flowering branch.

1!. Expanded flower — («) Petals, (J) Staminodia, (c) Stamens, («?)

Disc, (e) Ovary,
c. Vertical section of flower showing — (a — c as in b).
n. Back of flower.

E. Flower more advanced, showing young cone with stigma.
V. Stamen,
a. Young cone.

H. Vertical section of young cone.
K. Part of outside of young cone showing hairs.
L. Part of stem, showing articulation of petiole.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE G8. (FKUITS.)

A. Leaf (with numerous leaflets).

B. Capsule about to open.
c. Deciduous placenta with AA'inged seeds (two on each side of the

placenta).

Flindersia JBennettiana, F.v.M.

r The Crow's Ash or Bogum-Bogum.

Botanical Name. — Bennettiana, in honour of the late Dr. George Bennett,
of Sydney (1804-1893).

Vernacular Names. — The origin of the name " Crow's Ash " of " Crow's-
feet Ash " is one concerning which there is room for conjecture.

It may be that a timber-getter, in felling a Flindersia, found in a fork
the remains of crows eaten by some birds (perhaps hawks), the feet alone
being left behind.

Mr. W. Dunn, however, points out another explanation. He states that
crows are as fond of the winged seeds as cockatoos are, and thinks it is
quite possible the name may have originated in that way.

The name "Crow's Ash" is one given by somte Queenslanders and
Richmond River people to Teak {F. australis). It has also been sent to
me as a name for F. Bennettianu, a closely-allied species. As Teak is a
fixture for F. australis, I think it is desirable to encourage the name
'■ Crow's Ash " for F. Bennettiana, which is one of the high trees in which
crows build.

F. Fl., pi. 67.

FLINDERSIA AUSTRALIS, R.Bp. (The Native Teak.)

F. Fl., pi. 68.

FLINDERSIA AUSTRALIS, R.Br. (The Native Teak.)

199

Ahoriginal Name. — " Bogum-Bogum " of the aborigines of the Richmond
Jliver, New South Wales. See No. 1 of Moore's " List of Northern Timber3
for the Ix)ndon Exhibition of 1862."

Leaves. — The leaflets are the largest of those of any species of Flindersia.

Fruit. — The fruit is smaller than that of F. australis, nor are the edges
of the valves rough as in that species.

Barl\ — Somewhat resembles that of F. australis, ■which has doubtless
tended to add to the confusion between the two species.

Timber. — Tlie following aeeoviut of this tree was written by the late Mr.
Charles Moore for the " Catalogue of N.S.W. Exhibits at the London
Exhibition of 1862":—

This tree is very abundant in the coast brush forests, there attaining a
Jieight of SO feet, and 2 feet diameter. Comparatively rare and of small size
on the ("larence. Its larpe, bright, flossy foliage, and masses of terminal
white flowers render it a conspicuous object wherever it grows. The wood is
seldom used by the settlers, but as it splits well, might probably be valuable
for staves.

For many years the Teak (F. australis) went under the name of F.
Bennettiana, and a caution is given on the subject. We know very little
about the "Crow's Ash" (F. Bennettiana). It is certainly a much rarer
tree than the Teak. We know that it is pale-coloured, and that it is fissile
(it is used for staves); but what ejse do we know about it? What are its
proi>erties as compared with Teak and Cudgerie?

Size. — Moore says it attains a height of 80 feet, and a diameter of 2 feet.

Habitat. — The localities given in the " Flora Australiensis " are : — •

Queensland. — Wide Bay (Bidwill) ; Brisbane River, Moreton Bay (A.
Cunningham. Eraser, W. Hill).

New South Wales. — Clarence River (Beckler).

It is a brush tree, and we know very little about its distribution. We
do not know its precise southern range, nor are wo able to say, with a
close approximation to accuracy, its relative abundance on any particular
area.

It is represented in the National Herbarium, Sydney, from the following
localities : —

New South Wales. — Tweed River (Mrs. Grime) ; Lindendale, Lismore,
■ 10-15 feet," also Lismore, " 40-60 feet, 9-18 inches diameter " ( W.
liaeuerlen) ; Experimental Farm, Wollongbar; Richmond River (J. A.
Henderson) ; Reserve, Dalwood, Richmond River (W. W. Watts) ; Three-
mile Scrub, Byron Bay (W. Forsyth) ; Stroud district (the late Augustus
Rudder), no specific locality given, and, therefore, doubtful.

Queensland. — Brisbane (J. L. Boorman) ; Eumundi (F. M. Bailey) ;
Gymipie (F, Hamilton-Kenny).

Further information in regard to this tree is desirable.

' Propagation. — It is readily cultivated from seed.

But if we knew little of this tree in the forest, it is the best-known of
all the Flindersias in cultivation in Sydney. It is a handsome avenue tree.
Its large glossy leaflets, with a profusion of large white masses of smallish
flowers, borne on a neat, erect trunk, render it a valuable addition to any
garden of trees. It appears to be perfectly hardy in the Sydney climate.

200

{ EXPLANATION OF PLATE 77 (FLOWERS).

A. Flowering branch with the flowers of natural size.
. B. Flower (enlarged).
c. Expanded flower showing— (a) Petals, (&) Stamens, (c) Stami-

nodia, (d) Disc-, (v) Ovary, (/) Stigma.
D. Part of flower showing — (a) Stamens, (h) Staminodia, (c) Disc^ ,

(d) Ovary, (e) Stigma.
K. Stamens.
i\ Staminode.

G. Transverse section of ovary.
ir. Calyx.

EXPLANATION (^F PLATE 78 (FRUITS).

A. Leaf (with leaflets) or portion of stem showing articulation of

petiole.

B. Fruit.

c. Capsule opening septicidally.
D. One valve of capsule.
K. Seed, winged all round.

N.B. — The fruits were drawn from speciuiens attached to leaves, and there-
fore their botanical origin is not open to doubt.

Flindersla Oxleyana, F.v.M.

The Yellow- wood.

Botanical Name. — Oxleyana, in honour of Jolui Oxley, Surveyor-General
of New South Wales, who, with Messrs. Uniacke and Lieutenant Stirling^
discovered the Brisbane River (the locality where this species was first
found) in the year 1823.

Vernacular Names. — " Yellow-wood," or perhaps " Light or Pale Yellow-
wood," is its commonest name.

"" Long Jack " is a name frequently used in northern New South Wales
for this tree, in reference to its great height.

Leaves. — The leaflets are softly tomentose underneath, and more readily
"wilt than those of any other species. The common rhachis is also tomientose^
Sometimes the venation on the under side of the leaf is very conspicuous.

The leaflets arc not always strictly opposite.

The articulation of the leaves is usually rounded. It has no sharp^
edges.

Mr. W. Dunn says that the foliage, in mass, reminds him of that of th«
Teak (F. australis), but the leaves arc shorter and hairy.

Bark. — Smooth in young or medium trees; patchy in appearance, but
not flaky, in older trees. A bushman's description is, " It has a cracked
sort of bark, a little resembling that of Teak, but less rough, and not
£aky.'^

F. Fl., pi. 77.

FLINDERSIA BENNETTIANA, F.v. M. (Crow's Ash, or Bogum Bogum.)

F, Fl., pi. 78.

FLINDERSIA BENNETTIANA, F v M <Crow's Ash or 9oqum 8oQum

201

Timber. — A fissile, pale yellow timber, with no figure to speak of. It
has certainly no dyeing properties.

It was first collected in 1828 by Charles Fraser, Superintendent of ih*
Botanic Gardens at Sydney, and Allan Cunningham, King's Botanist, ou
the Brisbane River, Hooker, in describing it, says : '' Its timber is found
to be very useful in various kinds of carpentry, and in the building of
boats, &c." (Botanical Miscellany, Vol. i, p. 24Y). So that it had acquired
a good reputation at an early date.

Mr. District Forester Pope, Casino, says of it: —

It is not much used either locally or for export, but I am convinced it is a
most valuable timber. It is very tough, and of a light yellow colour,

Mr, W, Dunn, Forest Guard, Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range, says: —

The wood cuts soft like Cudgerie {F. Schottiann) . The timber is long in the
grain and strong, and inclines to bo yellow in colour towards the centre of tlie
tree ; of course, we have other varieties of timber here much yellower in colour
than this timber referred to. It is a really valuable timber.

The official catalogue of the Queensland Forestry Museum, 1904, says : —

A large tree, with light-coloured. I'ough bark. Wood of a pale yellow colour,
and a distinctive odour. Chief uses for coach-building, railway-carriage frame-
work, boring-rods, and purposes for which strength, combined with lightness,
-are required; also cabinet-making, joinery, turnery, and picture-frames. It in
very elastic, bends well, and is consequently very suitable for casks.

The timber is stated to be very durable and is tough; it is used for
making shafts, swingle-trees, and yokes. It is often mistaken for Beech,
and is sometimes supplied for that timber. It is an excellent carving
wood, as a beautiful specimen of carving in the Technological Museum,
Sydney, by the late Mr. W, Ockelford, testifies.

A full account of this tiftiber, chiefly from the point of view of the
railway carriage-builder, will be found: in MacMahon's " Queensland Mer-
chantable Timbers," p, 53, Here it is stated that: —

" It is lai'gely used in the framing of carriages and waggons. It holds paint
well, and nails may be driven into it without splitting, close up to the end of
the scantling. In the works of the Brisbane Tramways Company this timber is
a prime favourite ; it is used for body-framing, pillars, and finishing ; it is*
found to answer remarkably well for portions of the structure of a tramcar,
■which it is necessary to bond by steam, and has, in fact, supplanted entirely
the more expensive blackwood for this pux'pose. For an entirely all-round
timber it cannot be spoken of too highly, and quite fills the place of English and
American ash, A departmental board of the Commonwealth Military Force.s
has recently decided that this is the most suitable wood in Australia for ammu-
nition boxes."

/S/^c. — Height SO to 100 feet, with a barrel of 4 to 8 feet in diameter in Mac-
pherson Kange, (J, L. Boorman,)

Habiiat. — This tree is confined to the rich brush forests of northern
New South Wales and Queensland. What its precise southern and northern
limits are I do not know, and inquiries such as these are the legitimate
and even necessary duty of a Botanical or F6rest Survey.

I have specimens in the National Herbarium from the Richmond and
Tweed Rivers, New South Wales, and also one labelled " Stroud district "
from the late Mr. Augustus Rudder, but I probably misunderstood him as
regards the locality. As regards Queensland, its range appears to be hardly
better known than at the time of its discovery ninety-six years ago.

202

Concerning New South Wales, jMr. District Forester Pope, of Casino,
reports : — •

It grows in most of the brush forests in this district, hut nppears to he
favourable to red soil. There is a considerable quantity of it alouj; the 'fentei"-
field-i'oad on Forest Reserves 2,425 and 1,120. It is fairly abundant in all the
brushes of the Tweed and liichmond lUvers — evenly distriluited. Does not
attain such a size on Foi-est Reserves 2,42."» and 1,120 as in other localities.

Mr, Forest Guard W. Dunn, of Acacia Creek, Macplierson Range,
reports : —

This is the scarcest Flindcrsia here. It is very careful in selecting its habi-
tation. My opinion is, it favours brush mountain regions with plenty of
Sihelter.

Turning to Queensland, Hooker wrote in 1830, on C. Frascr's notes of his
trip in 1828 :—

The south side of the Brisbane, as far as Canoe Creek, is covered with forests
of pine, or Arancaria, to a considerable extent. The north bank, as far as
(llenmoriston's Range, is principally oikmi forest, not reachini: far. IteyoiuT
whicli it is clothed with pine brushes as on the south. These forests contain
immense quantities of Yellow-wood {Oxlcya oMnthoxyla) (Botutikal Miscel-
lany, Vol i, p. 24G).

EXPLANATION OF RLATE 73.

A. Flowering branch.

15. Flower.

c. Exi)auded flower, showing — (a) Petals, (&) Stamens, (r) Stamin-

odia, (d) Disc, (e) Ovary, (/) Stigma.
». Part of flower — («) Stamevs, (h) Staminodia, (e) Disc, (d) Ovary,.

(c) Stigma.
E. Stamens.

r. Transverse section of ovary.
G. Calyx.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 74.

A. Part of stem, showing leaflets and articulation of petiole.

B. Capsule opening septicidally.
c. Deciduous placenta.

I), Winged seeds.

Flindersia Schottiana, E.v.M.

The Cudoerie.

Botanical Name. — Schottiana, in honour of Heinrich Schott, Director of
the Imperial Zoological and Botanical Garden of Vienna.

Vernacular Names. — The aboriginal name " Cudgerie '' has become its
common vernacular name. The late Mr. Augustus Kudder sent it under
the names of " Ash " and " Stave-wood." '" Mountain Ash " is not an
uncommon name. I may say that a great many pale-coloured 'timbers,
more or less fissile, go by the names of " Ash " and " Stave-wood, " in
Australia. ,

I believe is to be one of the trees which has passed under the name of
" Flindosa." The origin of this name I have been unable to trace, and
would suggest that it is a timber-man's rendering of Flindersia. We have
the same word in " Flindosy Beech," sometimes applied to the tree.

F. R , pi. 73.

FLINDERSIA OXLEYANA. F.v.M. (The Yellow Wood.

F. FL, pi. 74.

FLINDERSIA OXLEYANA. F.v.M. (The Yellow Wood.)

203

Aboriginal Names. — " Cudgerio," or " Cudgery," of Northern New South
.Wales and Southern Queensland.

Cudgerie and Teal-. — Under F. australis, I have already drawn attention
to the confusion that has existed for so many years between '* Cudgerie "
(F. Schottiuna) and Teak (F. australis).

Leaves. — Leaflets bright green and shiny in the upper surface; pale green
and dead dull on the lower; nearly cordate at base sometimes, except the
terminal one.

To look at the leaves on a growing Cudgerie in the distance, the lea^-es look
larger than the Teak leaves, but upon obtaining them we find they are not
larger. The leaves are a beautiful dark green, and have a pleasing ai)pearance
when on the tree, i-enihiding one of Silky Oak {GrcviUca rohiista.) — (W. Dunn.)

Fruit. — Attention has already been directed to Cudgerie fruits in com-
parison with Teak fruits. Besides the roughened edges of the valves of
the latter, those of the former are flatter and less pungent.

Bark. — Smooth, and often glaucous.

Timber. — It is a pale-coloured (yellow when fresh, and dr;s'ing to a whito
or cream colour), generally useful wood, which shrinks but little in drying.
It is rather hard and tough, and is hence sometimes objected to on that
score. A recent special use is for railway keys. It is often used as a
substitute for Colonial Beech, which it resembles a good deal in outward
iippearance. It is used for shingles and staves, for flooring, and for general
carpentry work. It is softer than Native Teak, and not so durable as that
timber. The two timbers are really very different.

I look upon Cudgerie as one of the most valuable of New South Wales
timbers, and one whose merits will be more appreciated as it becomes better
known.

Size. — It attains a large size, up to over 100 feet in height, and a diameter
of over 3 feet. I have alluded to its size, in comparison with Teak, iu
Part XVII, p. 152, of my " Forest Flora of New South Wales."

Habitat. — It is confined to Northern New South Wales and Queensland.

I do not know its northern limit in Qvieensland. Bentham records it
from Wide Bay (Bidwill) ; Cumberland Islands (Herb. F. Mueller) ; Bris-
bane River (A. Cunningham). I have it from Cairns (E. Betche) ; Gympie
(Dr. Hamilton-Kenny) ; and other localities.

In New South W^ales it does not appear to have been recorded south of
the Hastings River. From thence it is not uncommon, in brush forests,
to the Queensland border.

At' Taylor's Arm there is a fair supply scattered in the brushes. — (District
Forester T. H. Wilshire.) The same gentleman says: — '

In speaking of the Ash from Mt. Yarrahappini, thei'e is a fair supply to be
had; the trees attain fair height with rather small barrels. It is not used
much locally.

But S. G. F. Smith, Stewart's Pty Macleay River, asserts that : —

There are about 1.000.000 feet of this (Mountain Asli) growing in one spot
on Mount Yarrahappini ; tlie barrels of some are 80 feet iu length.

It is plentiful in the brush forests of the Macpherson Range (W. Duuu).

204

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 69. (Flowers.)

A. Part of stem showing articulation of petiole.

B. Flowering branch,
c. Flower.

D. Flower more expanded, showing — (a) Petals, (h)

Staminodia, (d) Disc, (e) Ovary, (/) Stigma.

E. Portion of flowers — (a) Stamens, (&) Staminodia,

Ovary, (/) Stigma.

F. Stamens.

G. Transverse section of ovary.

Stamens, (c>
(c) Disc, (e>

H. Calyx.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 70. (Fruits.)

A. Leaf (with leaflets).

B. Capsule opening septicidally.

c. Capsule reversed, the inside of the valves turned inside out in the
process of ripening, to distribute the seeds. It would appear that
this process of retroflexion, or turning inside out of the fruits, is
unusual in the genus.

D. Seeds (winged all round).

F. Fl., pi. 69.

FLINDERSIA SCHOTTIANA, F.v.M. (The Cudgerie.)

F. Fl., pj. 70.

FLINDERSIA SCHOTTIANA, F.v.M. (The Cudgerie.)

205

Miscellaneous.

1. Gmelina Leichhardtii (White Beeeh).

2. Ceratopetalum apetalum (Coach Wood).

3. Doryphora sassafras (Sassafras).

4. Litsoea reticulata (Bolly Gum).

5. Castanospermum australe (BU\ck Bean).

6. Alphitonia excelsa (Red Ash).

7. Ficus rubiginosa (Rusty Fig).

Gmelina Leichhm'dtii, F.v.M.

' The White Beech.

Botanical Name. — Gmelina, in honor of George Gmeliu, a German
naturalist and traveller (Georg Friedrich), author of a botanical work
published at Tubingen in 1699. Leichhardtii is also in honor of a German
naturalist and traveller, an Australian explorer, whose name is ever before
the people of Xew South Wales and Queensland.

Verjiacular Names. — This tree is favoured by being universally known
as Beech, or White Beeeh, and by no other names; but it should be borne
in mind that hardly any term is more loosely known in New South Wales
than that of Beech. Wo have a true Beech (the Negro-head, Fagus Moorei),
and, in addition, She Beech, Blue Beech, Brown Beech, Bully Beech, and
many other Beeches, most of which only resemble each other in all being
totally dissimilar to the Beech of Europe.

Flowers. — They are very handsome, white with' purple markings, as stated
by Bentham, and sometimes almost entirely purple.

Leaves. — The leaves are rather large, and show handsome venation, par-
ticularly on the underside. Like xu'any other verbenaceous plants, they
readily fall off in drying.

Timber. — A very useful timber, strong, durable, and easily worked. It
does not expand in damp or contract in dry weather if moderately seasoned,
hence it is much prized for the decks of vessels and the flooring of verandahs.
Speaking of this timber, Mr. Baeuerlen wrote to me : —

I have jnst seen a staircase, and eleven months ago the tree from which the
wood was taken was growing in the forest. It was cut at once, green as it was,
and up to the present no sign of shrinking or cracking can be seen.

It warps neither in plank nor in log. It is excellent for picture-frames,
and is a wood»f requently chosen where it would" not be safe to trust a wood
of which there might be doubts as to whether it would shrink or warp. It
is used for the floats of mill-wheels, the jambs of windows, and for innumer-
able other purposes. It would be almost impossible to misplace it for
ordinary indoor carpentry work. If I were asked to name the three most
valuable timibers of New South Wales I would, say, Grey Ironbark, CedftT,
and Beech.

206

One drawback to this valuable timber is that where it is used for flooring
which is exposed to the weather, around every nail there becomes a hole
in the course of a few years. This is usually explained by ascribing to
Beech some property which eats or rusts away the nails. For the same
reason wine-casks of Beech can never be hooped with black iron. So far as
I am aware, no chemist has ever examined Beech to see if it contains a
trace of free acid or some salt which Avould explain the corrosion above
referred to. i

Beech is largely used for the manufacture of vats for wine, and I believe
it is an admirable wood for the purpose. It is too short in the grain to split,
60 that split staves cannot be made of it.

As regards its use by coach-builders, Mr. S. Lownds, Teacher in Coach-
building at the Technical College, informed me : —

iThis is a very useful timber for panels anil thin boards. It is pretty durable,
but rather soft, but its softness is, in scune instances, au advantage. Wliere
extreme heat or moisture lias to be considered, as in bakers' carts, Beech will
be found to withstand such influences better than most timbers. It paints and
polishes well, is very easily worked, and does not readily split.

It is pale-coloured, white with a tinge of brown. As a very general rule,
it is plain, but occasionally it shows a neat grain, which is ornamental. It
is rather close-grained and excellent to work. If it be glued with Russian
slue, mixed with sour milk, it will hold like solid wood when made into
furniture. It is very extensively used for ships' blocks.

Up till a few years ago it was remarkable that no engineering tests had
been made of such an universally-appreciated timber. Professor Warren
has rectified the omission in his work on Australian timbers, published for
the Chicago Exhibition. The timber referred to as White Beech is the
one under discussion, the other Beech (Xegro-head) is a Fag us. Professor
Warren gives the weight of some Beech he tested as 49- 1 lb. per cubic foot.
I examined some which was bone-dry, having been seasoned over a quarter
of a century; its weight was 36 lb. per cvibic foot. On the average (as
found in the market), its weight is between 40 and 50 lb. per cubic foot.

Mr. District Forester T. H. Wilshire, in reporting it from Kangaroo
Creek, 30 miles from Grafton, says that a fair amount in log is shipped to
Sydney.

As regards Queensland, the following is quoted from the official catalogue

just referred to: —

Tills timber, being much prized, was extensively used in former years ; the
quantity remaining now being limited. Occasional trees are, however, met with
in some of our coastal scrubs, north and south, but generally in such places as
are difticult of access.

Size. — From 80 to 120 feet high, and a diameter of 2 to 4 feet. The
Sydney Morning Herald of 16th August, 1898, says: —

An Enormous Beech Tree. — Mr. Nicholl's steamer, " Excelsior," which yester-
day arrived in port, In'ought, as part cargo, an enormous beech tree from the
Byron Bay district. The tree was cut into logs 9 feet in length, and a^ eraged
about 17 feet in girth. Only the main barrel of the giant was brought to
Sydney, and tliis comprises 10,000 feet of timber, which filled one-half of the
vessel's hold.

Distribution-. — The north bank of the Shoalhaven is its southernmost limit
in New South Wales; thence it extends along the coast, in brushes, to
Southern Queensland. It is found in the Shoalhaven district and the
lUawarra, but is not plentiful. It used to be found in Jasper's Brush, but

F. Fl., pi. 33.

GMELINA LEICHHARDTII, F.v.M. Klhe Beech, or White BeechJ

207

not on the Cambewarra Mountain. Proceding north, a few trees may be
found in the brushes about Otford, Lilydale, &c., but I have not seen any.
It skips the Sydney district and reappears in the Brisbane Water district,
being cut at the present time, though to a small extent (as good trees are in
almost inaccessible localities), about Wyong Creek, Cooranbong, &c. Then
it is found here and there along the coast, but nowhere very plentifully.
There is a good deal back from the Bellinger and Cotf's Harbour. It occurs
all through the Big Scrub, on the Richmond and Brunswick, and also in
isolated patches of scrub on the Tweed. It is not a plentiful treo- it
nowhere appears to be gregarious, but in isolated trees, far apart.

Following are a few specific notes : —

Never plentiful in my district; only a few trees left in very rugged places;
(Forester Martin, Gosford.)
One or two sJipllugs only in my district. (Forester A. Rudder, Booral.)

It is found on Tallowak Mountain (back of Failford), also at John's
River, and at Pappinbarra Creek, 40 miles back from Port Maequario.
This timber is getting so scarce that notes of localities from which it is
obtained at the present time are interesting. Lattice-laths of beech were
being cut at Laurieton. — (J.H.M.)

Sparsely distributed throughout the brush portion of my district. Large
quantities have been removed from this district years ago, particularly from
the Allgoiuera Forests and the I'pper Nambucca ; but not nmch remain.-? in
easily accessible districts. Probably from 20.()00 to 40,000 feet might be readily
obtained at an advanced price. (Forester MacDonald, Kempsey.)
Very little in my immediate locality. (G. M. McKeown, Wollongbar.)
A few trees are to l)e found on Reserves 4,353 and 10,723, county Rous;
M,1."0, county Buller; 1,120, counties Rous and Duller; on Crown lands, Jlay-
stack and Watershed between Koreela and Beaury Creeks, county Buller.
(Forester Crowley, Casino.)

Propagation. — From the fruits (beech-nuts). Unfortunately, however,
they are usually attacked by an insect as they approach maturity, and this,
combined with the natural hardness of the seed, renders propagation of the
Beech usually a difficult mattter. This is to be r(^retted, as one see so
few seedlings and saplings of the White Beech coming forward in the
brushes. The tree, therefore, is within measurable distance of extermina-
tion in readily accessible localities. It would be nothing less than a national
calamity if this valuable tree were to practically die out. In most cases
our trees propagate themselves Readily, and what is chiefly required is to
conserve the young growth, not to make artificial plantings; but in the case
of the White Beech, I think an exception should be made, and artificial
propagation resorted to in suitable localities. Indian Teak seeds are very
similar to White Beech seeds, and indeed the two trees are closely allied^
botanically. Both seeds take a long time to germinate under ordinary
circumstances. The method of preparing Teak seeds for germination in
India is to bury heaps of them in a shallow earthen pit which is covered
over with soil and kept moist. When the seeds begin to germinate they are
opened out and carefully planted.

EXPT^\NATIOX OF PLATE 33.

A. Corolla, opened out, sliowing didynamous stamens.

n. Exterior of corolla.

r. Pistil, showing uneciually two-lobed .stigma.

n. Stamen, with diverging anther-f-ells.

F. Stamen, the anther discharging pollen,

F. Fruits.

c. Putamen (stone otseed), the mesocarp (succulent part) removed.

208 -

Ceratopetalum apetalum, D. Don.

The Coach Wood.

Botanical Name. — Ceratopetalum, from two Greek words, hcras (a horn)
and petalon (a petal), the petals being jagged, reminding one of a stag's
horn, in the species (C. gummifei-um) on which the genus was founded.
Apetalum, without petals, this character being distinctive of the species.

Vernacular Names. — Its commonest name is " Coach Wood," so called
because of the use of its timber in coach-building. It is also called " Leather
Jacket " because of its tough, fibrous, closely-adherent bark. " Light
Wood " is a common name for it (perhaps nearly as much in use as
" Coach Wood," but an undesirable name as we have so many other light
woods). It is so called because it is very light when properly seasoned,
in fact, about 40 lb. per cubic foot would be a fair average.

Flowers. — The flowers are white and not very conspicuous, but as growth
proceeds the calyx verj'' largely increases in size, takes on a crimson or
purple colour, and becomes very conspicuous, forming what is known to
most people as the " flower."

Barh. — If the bark be wounded it gives off a perfume; its smell is like
that of Tonka beans or new-mown hay, and is owing to the presence of a
substance called '' Coumarin." I have kno*\'n a small slab of it to be useful
for scenting linen-presses.

Timber. — The one great value of this tree is for its timber, and it would
be far more used than it is were it not for the frequently inaccessible
gullies in which miuch of the best timber is found. It is tough and is used
for tool handles and for boat and coach building. It possesses a faint but
pleasant odour. It is said to be peculiarly well adapted for sounding boards,
for musical instruments, for stethoscopes, and such purposes. Its uses in
that direction have, however, been little more than tentative.

Planks of Coach Wood, both wide and thick, may be procured from the
larger timber yards in Sydney, so that enterprising people can have no
difficulty in testing it for special requirements. Much of w^hat supplies the
Sydney market comes from Gosford.

Its value as a coach-builder's timber is sufficiently great to be insisted
upon.

It is a useful timber to the coach-builder for placing in clean, dry
situations. Under such circumstances it is equal to English Ash. Its
weakness is its liability to rot when left in damp or dirty places near the
bottoms of carriages which are neglected and not kept clean. For very
many years this timber has been in request for coach-building. An eminent
coach-builder informed me that " it is the grandest Australian timber for
coach-building." It is undoubtedly excellent for bodies, and a good all-round
timber,

8ize. — It commonly attains a height of 60 or 70 feet and even more, and
a diameter of 2 or 3 feet.

Hahitat. — This trees is almost confined to N'ew South Wales. It extends
into Queensland at the Macpherson Range. It is a gully tree, and common
as it is, I believe I have never seen it out of such situations. It may be
found in most of the Blue Mountain gullies, and also a considerable distance
north and south of Sydney. The furthest southern locality T know for this
tree is Milton; the furthest western. Mount Wilson; and the furthest
northern, the Macpherson Range.

F. Fl., pi. 21.

CERATOPETALUM APETALUM, D. Don. (The Coachwood.)

209

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 21.
The small twig at the right hand bottom of the plate sJiows the normal
flowers.

The large twig, filling most of the plate, shows the enlarged calyx-lobes,
forming the " flowers."
A. Flower,
u. Flower in more advanced stage — (a) Lobe of calyx, (b) Stamen,

(o) PerigynoiLS disc,
c. Flower, further advanced with calyx removed — (d) Half inferior

ovary, (c) liecurved styles.
D. Stamen, front and back view of anther appendage.

Doryphora sassafras, Endl.
The New South Wales Sassafras.

Botanical Natne. — Doryphora (Greek) — Doru (a spear), phero (I bear),
perhaps in allusion to the long appendage to the anther; sassafras, because
its odour is reminiscent of that of the well-known Sassafras of ISTorth
America.

Vernacular Name. — Sassafras, or by ignorant people Sassafrax. Some-
times it is called Black Sassafras. I would sugggest the name New South
Wales Sassafras for Doryphora, as it is mainly developed in this State,
Atherosperma, another Sassafras, being more abundant in Tasmania and
Victoria, and Cinnamomum Oliveri in Queensland.

Leaves. — The tree has dense bright glossy foliage and aromatic odour,
filling the brushes with a delicious fragrance.

Flowers. — The flowers are pure white and star-like, forming a beautiful
display in contrast to the dark, shining foliage.

Barl-. — This is our common New South Wales Sassafras, and tea is com-
monly made from its bark at the present day in the coastal districts. Tne
aromatic flavour is not unpleasant, although it requires practice to really
like it. Besides a mere beverage, it is also used as a tonic medicine. The
odour is rather fugacious. It is taken in the form of an infusion. Dr.
T. L. Bancroft, however, informs the writer, " I have tried the bark on frogs,
and found it to be inert."

Timber. — If properly dried before being put into a building as a ceiling,
lining, or flooring boards, it is a valuable timber, but it takes a long time
to dry; it is not much used for joinery work, as it will not stand glueing.
I know a chest of drawers the inside of which is made of it, and it is
perfectly sound after thirt^fc years; "white ants will not touch it; it is
now being tried as weather-boards, but I am afraid it will require a lot of
paint, as it is so open-grained. It is sometimes use for packing-cases. It
is of a canary-yellow colour when quite fresh, but it becomes dirty looking
with age. It is fragrant, and disagreeable to vermin.

There is no question as to its durability in some situations. The following:
are extracts fronu three letters referring to it. In judging white-ant proof
timbers one must bear in mind, that white-ants, if put to it, will eat
anything, but that they prefer some timbers to others, and will leave some
timbers quite intact while eating these that are more palatable.

During the month of February, 186.5, I laid a floor of this sort of timber In
TJooral. The situation was on a very low damp condition, and though the floor
had been in contact with the hardwood slabs of the wall, and these so
thoroughly worried with the white ants as hardly to be able to stand on end,
and have had to be taken away, the floor boards have been but 3 inches above the

210

;;round, and now, notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the boards when taken
np are found to he as sound as ever; they were relaid again, and look as if
they would last another twenty years. Now what insect can contend with the
essential oil of this timber? Not one, I believe.

A "Wollongong correspondent writes : —
, To-day, whilst clearing out the storeroom a small case was shifted (it was
resting "on the damp floor) ; in doing so the bottom fell out. The white ants
had eaten it out. I find the box to be made of deal sides, the ends of English
elm or ash, and the partitions of Colonial sassafras.

The late Forester Benson wrote from Wyndham : — ■

The timber is very useful for indoor work. I was shown a large house on
the creek where all the rooms were lined with it, and it seems equally as well
adapted for that purpose as pine. The window-frames and some of the furni-
ture are of mountain hickory, which ai)i)ears to be a valuable timber for
cabinet-making. I was informed that sassafras should be cut in the winter
and stacked for some months, as it is liable to warp ; also that it is free from
the attacks from white ants.

Size.— It forms a large tree. Trees GO to 80 feet high arc quite common,
and I have been given measurements from reliable people vip to 120 feet
high, and with a diameter up to 5 feet.

Habitat. — The Sassafras is confined to New South Wales and Queens-
land. The m'ost southerly locality I have specimens from in this State is
Myrtle Creek, Wyndham, County of Avickland. This is, of course, very-
close to the Victorian border, in which State it may be expected to ho
found. In Queensland it is as far north as the Logan River. It is found
in brushes, hence in good soil in gullies throughout the coastal districts,
It occurs for a considerable distance into the recesses of the mountain
ranges of the Dividing Ranges and its spurs, but its precise range or
" curving boundary " is unknown. I have it from as far west as Jenolan
Caves, Mount Wilson, and the Bowman and Barrington Rivers. I shall be-
glad of notes of any localities further Avest than those stated.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 7.

A. Flower.

B. Vertical section of flower,
c. Flower without perianth.
I). Stamen.

K. Staminodium.

T. Carpel. I

G. Fruiting carpels included in persistent perianth tube.

H. Plumose awn, and style.

Litscea reticulata, Beuth.

She Beech or Bolly Gcm.
(Family Lauracece.)

Botanical Name. — TAtsoea, from the Chinese Litse, the name of a Chinese-
species; reticulata, Latin (reticulated), in reference to the netted appear-
ance of the venation of the leaves, as brought out in the figure.

Vernacular Names. — This tree is one of those which produces the timber
known as Bolly Gum in commerce. The original specimen, the type, was;
called " White Sycamore " by Sir William Macarthur, and it also goes
under the name of " She Beech." Mr. Forester G. R. Brown, an excellent
observer, called it " Scaly or Yellow Beech."

F. Fl., pi. 7.

DORYPHORA SASSAFRAS, Endl. (The New South Wales Sassafras.)

211

The following note by Mr. E. T. Baker in regard to timber passing under
the name of '' She Beech " will be found useful : —

There has loiij? been a doubt as to the exact botanical detenninatlon of the
marketable tiuil)er i)assing under the name of " She Beech." Many authors
have referre<l it to ('ryptocaiiia (/Niuccficcns, It.Br., and specimens of timber
exhibited in International Exhibitions, and now in the Technological Museum,
were Ial)el!ed with the latter name queried ; but I think now the matter can be
defluitely settled, as I have acquired botanical (timber and flowerius) speci-
mens from Gosford, Port Macquarie, and Lismore, and without doubt " She
Beech" Is Tctranthcra rcticitlata. Meissu.

The timber of Cn/ptocari/a filaucesrcns is quite distinct, being much iishter
ip colour, more durable, and with little or no figure, as against the rich brown
colour and large figure of 7\ reticulata.

" She Beech " timber is. I find, also being sold in the Sydney market under
the name of " Bully or '• Bolly Gum." so tliat we have the timber merchants
selling to an unsuspecting public apparently two distinct timbers, but which
«re in realitv from one and the same species, i.e., T. reticulata. {Proc. Linn.
Hoc. N.8.W.,\ol. xxii, 1897, p. 235.)

Leaves. — Attention is drawn to the somewhat rigid, leathery leaves.

Barl: — Slightly rough and cracked, otherwise a smooth-barked tree as
are most of the Lauracea?.

Timher. — Pale coloured, very fissile, tough, with almost a fibrous frac-
ture; rather hard when fresh; exhibits a neat grain.

Sir William Macarthur's original description of the tree (from Brisbane
Water) was : — '•' A magnificent tree, producing a soft, white, but useful
■wood."

The Queensland Forestry Museum catalogue gives its chief uses as :
Joinery, cabinet-work, packing-cases, staves (for which it is extensively
used), and for inside work of buildings as a substitute for Pine.

Mr. G. R. Brown says that, in the Port Macquarie district, it is used for
lining boards, like sassafras {Dorypliora).

See also under " Vernacular Names."

Size. — A rather large tree. Trees 60 to 80 feet in height, with a diamet<!r
of 2 to nearly 3 feet, are not uncommon.

Sir William Macarthur gave the height of trees at Brisbane Water as
TO to 80 feet, and a diameter of 2 feet.

Propagation. — Like most of the Litswas, a beautiful shade tree for the
warmer, moister parts of this State; it requires shelter and good soil,

Hahiiai. — This is a coastal brush tree, occurring from Eockingham Bay,
Queensland, to the Hawkesbury River, New South Wales. Further search
will doubtless extend the recorded range.

In the '' Flora Australiensis " B.Fl. v, 306), we have the following: —

Queensland. — Rockinsham Bay (Dallachy) : Sydney woods (probablv from
Brisbane River, should be "Water"), Paris Exhibition, 1S55 (Macartlun*. n
24, 192.)

I have it also in the Herbarium from the following intermediate localities
going north : —

Tuggerah Lakes (F. Gordon) ; near Tinonee, height 60 feet, diameter
20 inches (Augustus Rudder) ; Port Macquarie, " Scaly or Yellow Beech "
(G. R. Brown) ; Woolgoolga Creek (E. H. F. Swain).

212

. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 170.

A. Flowering twig.

B. Thie flower-head witti 4 bracts — the 2 outer ones (aa) are glabrous,

or nearly so, the 2 inner ones (&&) are villous,
c. Male flower.

D. Male flower opened out, showing — (a) Calyx (6 perianth-segments,

(6) 6 stamens of the outer series, (c) 3 stamens of the inner
series, each with a gland on each side near the base.

E. Rudimentary pistil.

F. Female flower opened out, showing — (a) Calyx (6 perianth-seg-

ments, (&) 6 staminodia of the outer series, (c) 3 staminodia of
the inner series, with glands.

G. Pistil.

n. Portion of fruiting twig showing the persistent calyx.

Castanospermum austi^ale, A. Cunn.

The Black Beak.
t

Botanical Name. — Castanospermum, iTom the Latin castanea (a chestnut),
and spermum (a seied). The tree is confined to Australia, and in non-
Australian descriptions of it the name is usually explained on the groundi
that " the seeds are roasted like chestnuts." This matter is alluded to later
on. Australe, Latin Southern, and hence Australian.

Vernacular Names. — ^Because of the seeds, which are very large beans,
this tree goes under the name of Bean Tree; and because of the dark
colour of the wood, and partly by way of distinction from the Red Bean
(Dysoxylon Muelleri), it is usually known by timber merchants as Black
Bean. Moreton Bay Chestnut is an old name for the tree, because it was
first found in the Moreton Bay district (Queensland).

Flowers. — The flowers are borne on the last year's wood, bear a general
resemblance to pea-flowers, though more solid and fleshy, and in colour vary
from yellow, through all stages of orange, to coral red. They are very
handsome, though not available for cut flowers. There are two forms, as has
already been pointed out.

Fruits. — Mr. C Fraser, Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney,
" being directed to establish a public garden in Brisbane Town," carried out
this task in 1828, and was accompanied by Allan Cunningham. They
discovered this tree, and Fraser says : —

" By the natives the fruit is eaten on all occasions : it has, when roasted, the
flavour of a Spanish chestnut, and I have been assured by Europeans who
have subsisted on it exclusively for two days, that no other unpleasant effect
was the result than a slight pain in the bowels, and that only when it was
eaten raw."

Later on, Mr. C Moore stated : —

" The beans are used as food by the aborigines, who prepare them by first
steeping them in water from eight to ten days ; they are then taken out, dried
in the sun, roasted upon hot stones, pounded into a coarse meal, in which state
they may be kept for an indefinite period. When required for use, the meal is
simply mixed with water, made into a thin cake, and baked in the usjial
manner. In taste, cakes prepared in this way resemble a coarse ship biscuit.'-

Dr. T. L. Bancroft, of Brisbane, has examined the beans, and is very
emphatic in regard to their deleterious properties as far as man is concerned.
He states that rf a small piece of the bean be eaten it causes severe

F. Fl.,pl. 170

E

Q

c

E

LITSEA RETICULATA, Benth. (Boliy Gum.)

213

diarrhoea, with intense griping, and he says it does this whether it was
previously soaked in water or even roasted. He states that no poisonous
principle is removed by Avater, and no part of the plant is bitter.

Having considered these seeds as food for human beings, let us consider
them as food for domestic animals.

Stock-owners have long waged war against this tree, owing to the fact
that cattle and horses are poisoned through eating the seeds.

The leaves also are found to be injurious, and animals which take to
eating them become very fond of them, and when taken away return long
distances to these trees, and according to some accounts become affected
similarly to animals which eat the Darling pea, and, if not carefully looked
after, they will pine away and die. Following are some interesting notes in
regard to bean poisoning on the Richmond River : —

1SS3 was a dry season, and grass scarce. informed me that he had

lost over 100 head of cattle by beau-poisoning. Next day my attention was
drawn to a few cattle in the stockyard said to be poisoned by eating beaus. I
inquired of the stockman if he had any proof that they had eaten beans, when
he iwinted to a beast that had died the day before, and beans had been taken
from it.s stomach. In reply to my question he said he expected some of the
cattle in the yard to recover. They appeared much purged, discharging thin
watery f cecal matter. Cattle seem to be attracted by the bright green appear-
ance of the beans as they lie upon the ground. Many cattle and horses on the

llichmond have been lost from bean-poisoning. lost a valuable entire

horse and cattle in this way, and many others have similar experience. It

appears to attack horses in a different way from cattle. informed me

that while removing horses from a paddock in which the bean-tree was grow-
ing two of them died without previously showing any symptoms of poisoning.

The seeds are also rapidly fatal to pigs in some cases, probably when
devoured on an empty stomach. Opossums are stated to be fond of
them.

" I consider the presence of a saponin in the beans undoubtedly proved, and
the toxic effects of the bean are due to this glucoside." — Bruunich.

There is an interesting paper entitled " The Poisonous Effects of the
Black Bean (Castanospermum australe) on Cattle," by S. T. D. Symons,
M.R.C.V.S., Chief Inspector of Stock, in Agric. Oaz. N.S.W., March 1911,
p. 196.

Timber. — It is easiest described by stating it strongly resembles walnut.
I have always endeavoured to urge moderation in advocating the claims of
colonial timbers, feeling sure that our timbers have received a good deal
of harm from indiscriminate praise; but, having kept Black Bean under
observation for a number of years, and having caused large quantities of
it to be worked up into various articles, I think very highly of it. I look
upon it as scarcely inferior to walnut. People sometimes complain of it
that it warps and splits a little, but it does not do this if it receives the
seasoning that cabinet woods receive in the northern hemisphere. Let
Black Bean be felledi when the sap is down, and given a reasonable amount
of seasoning, and I do not hesitate to say that it may be pitted against
walnut without disgrace. Black Bean is easier to dress than even cedar;
in fact, it is almost perfection as regards the ease with which a surface
can be got on it. It polishes readily, but the grain is inclined to rise under
polish. This timber often shows a beautiful figure; planks which have the
figure in bands, like the marking of an agate, are really gorgeous.

Size. — A fair average height for the bean tree would be 60 feet or 70 feet,,
with a trunk diameter of 2 feet or 3 feet. At the same time it frequently
attains a height of nearly double this, with a diameter of 5 feet or 6 feet.

2U

Habitat. — It is usually found growing in brush land of the very richest
soil, usually near the hanks of rivers in the Clarence, Eichmond, and
Tweed Kiver districts, but frequently in the scrub, a considerable distance
from creeks and rivers. It conies as far south as the well-lmown Don
Dorrigo Forest Reserve, in the Bellinger River district. It is also found
in Queensland, extending a considerable distance along the coast districts,
right into the tropics.

Propagation. — Tlie tree is propagated from seed, the large " beans," and
can be supplied by every nurseryman. The leaves are pinnate, as shown in
the drawing, and in a mass are of more than ordinarily handsome appear-
ance. The foliage is dark, and the whole tree shapely, quite justifying
Cunningham's laudatory remarks in regard to it. Those who are not
familiar with the tree in its native habitat may see some magnificent
specimens in the Sydney Botanic Gardens. It is one of our most beautiful
native trees, ah^ays admired, and it should be more freely planted.

EXrLANATION OF PLATE 25 (FLOWER).
Flowers on last year's wood, leaflets.

PLATE 20 (FRUIT).
A. Legumon (pod).
IS. The same, after dehiscence by both dorsal and ventral sutures.

Alphitonia excelsa, E^eissek.
The Red Ash.

Botanical Name. — Alphitonia, from the Greek alpliiton signifying "baked
barley-meal," in allusion to the mealy nature of the epicarj^ which is around
the seed; excelsa, Latin, signifying ''high,'"' in allusion to the s-ize of the
tree.

Vernacular Names. — " Red Ash,'' " Leather Jacket," and " Coopers'
Wood." In the lllaw'arra district of New South Wales it is called
''Humbug."

Its general name is " Red Ash," owing to the frequently bright red
appearance of the heart-wood. Occasionally also it is called " Mountain
Ash." For obvious reasons it is sometimes known as " Coopers' Wood,"
while its smooth compact bark is alluded to in the name of "Leather
Jacket." Known as " White Leaf " on the Richmond River.

Fruit. — The colour of the fruit is a dull bluish-black, which contains
shiny reddish-brown seeds embedded in a brown powdery substance.

Leaves, &c. — The following letter sliows the tree to be a fodder plant: —

During the late di'ought it was found that horses and cattle ate every leaf
within reach, and, at Bungawalbin. where there is a regular scrub of it, duriiig
the drought the country was quite clear just as high as animals could reach.
Its qualities in this respect was not suspected locally, before this. It grows on
the very poorest saudy country, and seems to have some value as a fodder
plant. Va. W. Deane, L.S., Lisniore, 30th August, 1{K)4.)

Baric—

The TcciiuoJoyical Muscinn.
Dear :\Ir. .Ala idea. 23rd May, 100.'.

Some tinM> ago a letter from Mr. .1. Byrnes, of JIacksville, Nanibucca
River, was received through you, asking for ])ai'ticulars as to the tanning
qualities of a certain bark. The sample received was that of Alpliitonia
<'xcclsa, and an analysis shows it to be a fair sample, containing about half
the amount of tannin usually occurring in the best wattle barks. The tanuiu
is good, quick in Its action, and niiglit be used for local tanning.

I

F. Fl., pi. 25.

CASTANOSPERMUM AUSTRALE, A. Cunn. (The Black Bean Flowers.)

F Fl., pi. 26.

CASTANOSPERMUM AUSTRALE, A. Cunn. (The Black Bean Fruits.)

215

On the anhydrous bark the following results were obtained:— '

Total extract, 231 per cent.

Non-tannln, 51 per cent.

Tiinnln, 18 0 per cent, absorbed by hide powder.

If these results are calculatetl in ordinary air-dried bark containing 13 per
cent, of moisture, the statement would be : —

Total extract, 20- 1 i>er cent.

Non-tannin, 4 4 per cent.

Tannin, 15 7 per cent, absorbed by hide powder.

Yours, tScc,

R. T. BAKER, Curator.

Timber. — When a log is freshly cut it is of a pale colour, and looks
simply like Ash. It is straight in the grain, works easily, and is somewhat
tough. But in the course of a few weeks or months the heart-wood darkens,
the sapwood retaining its original pale colour. According to age of tree,
length of exposure or seasoning, this heart-wood may change to brown-reds
of all depths of tint and even to bright red of a very ornamental character.
The meaning of the name " Red Ash " is thus explained. When I first
gave attention to this timber some years ago, I had a piece so fiery red
that I did not believe the colour was natural, and planed the surface,
only to find the colour Avas skin-deep, but it returned, in course of time, to
its original deep colour. This colouration has not yet been carefully
examined, and we are, therefore, unable to give a satisfactory explanation
of it. The colouring of Red Ash, like the colouring- of a meerschaum pipe,
takes time, and this is, of course, a drawback. I know of no other New
South Whales timber which has such a striking colour. Another drawback
is, of course, its superficial nature. For instance, when used for furniture,
if it be touched with a plane the pale-coloured timber is exposed, making^
the timber look patchy, until, after the lapse of months, the timber becomes
of a uniform deep red colour.

Following are reports on this timber made by some New South Wales
foresters a few years ago: —

Used only in a small way here for staves. (Mr. Forester Martin. Gosford.)
Timber pinkish, sometimes with beautiful tigure. hard and tough and very
lasting, even on exposure to the weather. Tlie surface of the heart-wood turns
fpiite red after short exi)osure to the sun. It is not very generally known. I
have seen it used for ribs of vessels. I believe it to be excellent for coach-
1>uilding, and generally well adapted for cabinet work. (Mr. Forester Rudder,
Booral. )

This is a very handsome timber, splits well, and is durable and tough. It
makes good staves, axe-handles, &c., also palings, shingles, and besides, lasts
well in the ground. It takes a very tine polish, and is often used for cabinet
work, as it shrinks very little. It makes a good lining for a house. I have
been shown a house twenty years old lined with this timber sawn green. The
M-ood has not shrunk, and is still sound. It has a pleasant smell when fresh
cut. It is a splendid firewood. It was used by the aboriginals for light spears.
(Mr. Forester Deverell, Glen Irines.)

Mr. Walter Hill, of Queensland, says of it : —

The wood is hard, clo.se-grained, durable, and will take a higli polish. It i«
suitable for gun-stocks, and a variety of other purposes.

Size. — Height, 40-80 feet; diameter, 20-30 inches, in the Gosford district.

On the coast up to 2 feet in diameter; height, up to GO or 70 feet; very
•xceptioual up to 3 feet in diameter. (Mr. Forester Rudder.)

216

Habitat. — Found in the coast and mountain brushes from the Shoalhaven
northwards from south to north of Queensland. In New South Wales tha
most westerly localities known to me are Boggabri (J.H.M.) and Attunga,
12 miles north-west of Tamworth (R. H. Cambage). These are both west
of the Dividing Range ; it is usually found east. It extends to Queensland,
New Guinea, and the Islands.

Following are some notes by foresters: —

Not plentiful in my district; found only in brusli forests on Jilliby, Wyong,
^nd Mount Cook Creeks. (Mr. Forester Martin, Gosford.)

Habitat east of Dividing Range, chiefly skirts of brushes, brushes bordering
streams and water-courses, sometimes in the open and sandy lands ; in a dwarf
form more on land on scrubby mountain tops and slopes. (Mr. Forester
Rudder, Booral.)

A plentiful scrub wood, Kempsey district. (Mr. Forrester Macdionald,
Kempsey. )

Grows on igneous formation 'at Milton, the most southerly locality known to
me, (R. H. Cambage.)

Occurs at Warialda. (W. Macdonald, C.P. Inspector.)

Tree about 20 feet in height. Wood is of a light colour, and soft. Generally
found at the edge of the scrubs. (Forest Guard W. Dunn, Acacia Creek,
Macpherson Range.)

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 6.
Flowering twig, also cluster of fruits, showing the rim or cupule.

A. Flower — (a) Sepal, {!>) Petal, including the stamen (c), (d) Disk,

filling the calyx-tube, (e) Lobed style.

B. Vertical section of flower — (a) Sepal, (6) Petal, Including the

stamen (c), (d) Disk, filling the calyx-tube, (e) Lobed style.
c. c^ Different views of stamen.

D. Petal, including the stamen.

E. Fruit dissected to show the two nuts or cocci.

¥. The nuts or cocci, showing the method of attachment.
G, H, I. Views of Seeds.

Ficus rubiginosa, Desf.

The Rusty Fig.

Botanical Name. — Ficus (Latin), a fig or fig-tree; rubiginosa (Latin),
rusty.

Vernacular Names. — " Port Jackson Fig," '•' Illawarra Fig," from the be^t
known localities. " Rusty Fig," because of the ferruginous appearance of the
young shoots, &c. " Narrow-leaved Fig," " Small-leaved Fig," in comparison
with the "Large-leaved Fig" (F. macrophylla).

Synonyms. — ^By nurserymen this tree is commonly known as F. australis.

The species is very largely cultivated in New South Wales, and the plants
display a considerable amount of variation. For example, there is an
•entirely glabrous form in the Sydney Botanic Gardens, which has been
labelled F. lucida for many years. I can find no authority for this name,
and it should be called F. rubiginosa, Desf., var. lucida, Hort, Syd.

Leaves. — The Moreton Bay Fig (F. macrophylla, Desf.) is an excellent
fodder plant, cattle and horses eating the leaves, young twigs, and figs with
great zest. For further particulars, see Agncultural Gazette, 1893, page 609,
and 1894, page 206.

F. FL, pl. 6.

ALPHITONIA EXCELSA, Reissek. (The Red Ash.;

217

The Small-leaved Fig (F. ruhiginosa, Desf.) is less used for this purpose,
probably because it is less frequently planted, but it appears to be of equal
value as a fodder plant, and doubtless other of our native figs may be put
to similar uses. I have known cows fed all the year round on leaves and
figs which dropiied from these trees.

Flowers. — The structure of the intlorescence of Ficus can be ascertained
by the student by reference to most text-books in which the common edible
fig {Ficus Carica) is dealt with. There are excellent figures, for example,
in Kerner and Oliver, ii, 157.

Fruits. — At page 8 Bentham calls the fruit of a fig a Synoecium, Kerner-
and Oliver a Synconium, Prantl and Vines and Warming and Potter a
Synconus. The '' Fig " consists of the fleshy axis of the inflorescence,,
which is deply concave, and on th»> inner surface of which the minute
flowers (which later on devlop into achenes or "seeds"), are borne. The
cavity at the end of the fig farthest away from the stalk is enclosed by
small bracts. The name Receptacle seems to be as descriptive and as
convenient as any to apply to the ' tig-" The fruits of F. ruhiginosa^
which are full of seed, were an article of food of the Port Jackson natives,^
but the early colonists found them " very nauseous." Mr. C. Hedley state»
that they are eaten by the Port Curtis (Q.) blacks.

Fibre. — The fibre of the root of this tree is of great durability, and i»
used by the aborisrines in the fabrication of their scoop fishing-nets. The
inner bark forms a loose fabric taken off carefully. A similar fibre is-
produced, and more abundantly, by F. macrophylla.

Trunk. — This and other figs in our northern forests have plank-like or
buttress-like expansions of the stem, near the root, which are sometimes as
deep as horse-stalls. The following description of certain trees in the
Malay Archipelago will directly apply to our fig: —

Others, again, and these are very characteristic, send out towards the bas^
t1;it and wing-like projections. These i)ro.iections are thlu slabs radiating from
the main trunk, from which they stand out like buttresses of a Gothic
catliedral. They rise to various heights on the trw, from ."> or 0 to 20 or 30
feet. They often divide as they approach the ground, and sometimes twist
and curve along the surface for a considerable distance, forming elevated and
greatly compressed roots. These buttresses are sometimes so large that the
spaces between them. If roofed over, would form huts capable of containing-
several i)ersons. Their use is evidently to give the tree an extended base,
and to assist the subterranean roots in maiutaiulng in an erect position so
loftj' a column, crowned by a broad and massive liead of branches and foliage.
("Tropical Nature and other Essa.j's," Wallace, page 31.)

Timber. — The timber is soft, brittle, and spongy; it is, however, some-
times used] for packing-cases. It is lig'ht in colour as well as in weight, and
although sometimes it shows a pretty grain, it would be waste of labour to
spend much time upon it. A well-seasoned slab of wood had a weight
which corresponds to 28 lb. 8 oz. per cubic foot.

Roots. — Everyone has noticed the long, slender, aerial roots that hang
from the branches, and which are more abundant and robust in warm,
moist localities. In Lord Howe Island a fig looked upon by some botanista
as specifically identical with our Port Jackson fig is called the Banyan,
as its aerial roots descend to the ground and form secondary stems, just
as in the case of the well-known Banyan of India.

On the Northern Rivers these fig-trees often begin life on the moist bark
of another tree, and their aerial root system attains great development. It

218

is a common tiling to see a huge tree being completely enveloped in the
aerial roots o£ a fig, which finally omother the host tree out of existence
so completely that it would not be known that the fig is taking the i>osition
of another unless the process of strangling had been observed.

Even in colder New England Mr. A. E. Crawford noticed trees sending
down aerial roots 30 feet distant from the main stem, some nearer forming
new stems, others 30 feet in height descending along Angophora stemis,
enclosing andi suffocating them.

Size. — ^Planted trees as ordinarily seen are not large; but in its native
forests this species may attain a great size, up to 100 and even 150 feet,
and with a trunk diameter of 6 feet and more. There are some fine speci-
mens near Dapto ; but it attains its greatest dimensions on the Northern
Kivers.

Hahitat. — Chiefly in the coastal districts, but extending as far west as
near Narrabri, Tamworth, and Jenolan Caves. Northerly it extends into
Queensland, southerly to Bateman's Bay; but its range in that direction
is not defined. Westerly we require more localities before we can define its
*' curving boundary."

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 2.

A. Gall flower.

p.. Female flower.

c. Male flower.

I). A receptacle (fig.).

E. Longitudinal section of the same.

F. Fl,,pl.2.

\ew

FICUS RUBIGINOSA, Desf. (The Rusty Fig )

219

INDEX.

PAGE.

Aboriginal methods of procuring water. . 8

Aboriginal shields 29

Acacia ancuraF.vM 105

Arundelliana Bi\i\ 120

BaileyanaF.vM 133

fjinervata DC 119

Cambagei, R. T. Baker 99

Cunninghamii Hook 107

tlealbaia Link 120

decurrens Willd 120

XELV.dealbataF.vM 120

var. lani'jera M.%iden 120,132

vciT. Ldchhardtii Bznth 120,128

\'a,r. mollis Undl 120,124

va,T. normalis B3nth 120

\a,r. pauciylandulosaV.v.M.. ... 120,127

cxcelsa Benth 101

Georginip, Biil 100

harpophylla F.v.M. 1(X)

homalophylla A. Cunn 96

melanoxylon R.Br 115

mollissima Willd 120

(hivaldiF.vM 96

pendula A. C'dnn 94

penninervis Sieh Ill

pycnantha Bznih , 109

■lalicina Lindl 103

var. varians 103

Hteiwphylla A. Cunn 104

Alphitonia excelsa Heiiisek 214

A7igophora lanceolata Gav 80

Anomalous Group 40

Apple, Mulga 106

Smooth-barked 80

Apple-tree, Mountain 80

Araucaria Cunninghamii Ait 152

Ash 202

Black 67

Crow's 196,198

Mountain 66, 203

Red 214

Australian Sandarac 157

Bakka 104

Balaar 94

Balkura 104

Bangalay 32

Bastard Box 74

Ironbark 67

Mahogany 32

Myall , 107

Stringybark 69

Bead Tree 148

Baan. Black 212

Red 146

Bee plants 73

PAGE.

Beech 205

Flindosy 202

Negro Head 205

Scaly ; 210

She 210

White 205

Yellow 210

Boefwood 177. 195

Western 176

Belah 182

Balbowrie 87

Bembil 78

Berry Pine 170

Bibble 78

Billa 182

Bimble Box 28,78

Birds and Animals >i

BlackAsh 67

Bean 212

Box 27, 36

Ironbark 24

Mulga 106

Oak 18 90

Pine 157, 163, 166, 167, 168

She Oak 187

Silky Oak 173

Turpent ine 88

Wattle 107. 109, 111, 119, 123

Black-hearted Wattle 115

Blackbutt 59

Blackwood 115

Bloodwood 49

Blue Gum 70

Blue Gum Flat 33

Blue-leaf Ironbark 23

Stringybark 55

Bogum-Bogum 1 98

BollyGum 210

Booligal 27

Boree 9*

Bosisto's Box 74

Box bark '73

Bastard 74

Bimble 28, 7&

Black 27, 36

Broad-leaf 63

Brush 82

Drooping 27

Dwarf 31

Flooded 27,30

Glossy...., 78

Grey 73, 74, 75

Minty 78

Poplar-leaved 78

Red 74

River 27

Round-leaf 78

-220

PAGE.

Box, Scrub 82

Shiny-leaved 78

Swamp Wnite , 27

Wliits 73; 78, 82

Yellow 76

Boxes, Pale 73

Brigalow 100

Broad-leaved Box 63

Ironbark 23

Messmate 68, 71

Mulga 106

Stringy bark 54

Tea-tree 86

Wattle 109

Broughton Willow 103

Brown Pine 170

Stringybark 54,70

Brush Box 82

Pine 170

Turpentine 90

Bull Oak , 182, 190, 193

Butter-boxes 153

Buttre.ss stems 217

Oajeput Oil 87

Callitris calcarata Il.Br 166

columellaris F.vM 164

cupressiformis Vent 1 69

var. mucronata 1 70

var. tasmanica 170

Macha>jana¥.vM 158

JifweWeri B3nth. and Hook, f 164

propinqua R.Br 165

robusta R.Bc 160, 166

verrucosa R.Bi 159

Gaatanosperrmim oMsirale A. Giinn 212

Casuarina Cunninghamiana Miq 1 88

glaucaSleh 185

lepidophloia F.v.M 182

Luehrnanni R.T.Bxker 193

.h-trirta Ait 190

suberosa Otto et Dietr 187

torulosa Ait 194

Cedar Group 135

Pencil 146

Red 135

White 148

€eirela aiistralis F.vM 135

Too wa Roxb 135

Ceraiopetalum apetalum D. Don 208

Oharcoal for lines , 67

Chestnut, Moreton Bay 212

Classification 14

Coach Wood 208

Cobra 89,171

Colonial Pine 157

Common Pine 160

Cooba 103

Cook's Third Voyage 68

Coolabah .' 27. 30 '

Coop3r'3 Wood 214

Cootaraundra Wattle 133

Crow's Ash 196,198

FAOB.

Cudgerie 202

Cudgerie and Teak 196

Cuney Tree 103

Cuney Yarran 96

Cypress Pines 155

Deal, Native 170

Doryphora sassafras Endl 209

Drooping Box 27

She Oak 190

Di'v Country Wattles 94

Dwarf Box 31

Dysoxylum Fraseranum Benth 140

Muelkri Benth. 146

Elastic threads in Eucalyptus 43

Enemies of trees 8

Erect She Oak 187

Eucalyptus acme nioides Scha,uei- 62

albens Miq 73

6/co/or A. Cunn 27

BosistoanaF.v.'yi 74

capitellaia Sm 54

corymbosa Sm 49

Deanei Maiden 32

elaeophora F.v.M 65

eugenioides Sieb .' 56

goniocalyx V.vM 64

hemiphloia F.v.M 73

var. albens F.v.M 73, 74

var. microcarpa M liden 73

iongifolia Link 37

macro-rrhyncha F.v.M 52

maculMa Hook 43

melUodora A. Citnn 75, 76

microcorys F.v.M. 40

microtheca F.v.M 30

Muelle.riana Howitt 61

o6/!'^ua L'Herit 68

odorata Behr and Schlecht 75

palhns F.v.M 73

paniculata Sm 22

pellita F.v.M. 35

pilularis Sm 59

populifolia Hook, f 2S, 78

punctataDC 36

var. grandiflora Deane and Maiden 37

resiniferaSm 34

salignaSm 32

var. paUidivalvis Baker and Smith 32

seed eaten 29

siderophloia Biiith 23

var. glauca Deane and Maiden 23

sideroxylon A. Cnnn 24

Sieberiana F.v.M 66

tereticornis Sm '. — 26

Eumung 104,130

Fagus Moorei F.v.M 205

Fat-Cake 24

Ironbark 24

221

PAGE.

I Vlliag timber 10

Ficim riibiginosaDesi 21(5

Fig. lilaWiirra 216

Port Jackson 216

Rusty 216

Small-leaved 216

First species of Eucalyptus 68

Fish poisons 8

Flindersia australis Bi.Bv 196

BennettianaF.vM 198

OxkyanaF.v.^l 200

SchoUiana F.v.M 202

i'lindosa 202

!• lindosv B2ech 202

I'looded box 27, 30

Gum 32

Forest Oak 194

Red Gum 26

Survey 7.

Wealth 9

Forests — Relation to rainfall, &c 7

I' orestry. Phases of 7

l\eshwater Swamp Oak 185

Galls 100

Geological formation 7

Giant trees 60, 70. 71

Oiant trees of Australia 7

idgee 99

Queensland 100

Glossy Box 78

Gmelina f.tichhartJiii F. v.M 20 5

I ^oborro 27

->lden Wattle 109

Goobang 103

Good timber.s, Supply 9

Green Wattle 109.123,126,128

OreviUea lineata H.Bt 177

Orevillia robw^ta A. Cunn 173

■Hrmta R.Br 17<)

Grey Box 73, 74, 1')

Gum 36, 65

Ironbark 22

Gum, Blue 70

Bolly 210

Forest Red 26

Grey 36, 65

Honey-soented 76

Mottled 43

Mountain 64

New South Wales Blue 32

Orange 80

Red 80

Ribbon 65

Rusty 80

Slaty 36

Spotted 43, 64

Sydney Blue 32

Tanning 114

White 30

Yellow 65, 76

Gum-leaves, Edible, &c 8

Gurley 103

FAGS.

Hedlev, C 8

Hickory Ill

Mountain Ill

Two-veined 119

Honey-scented Gum 76 ■

Honey-yielder 76

Hoop Pine 162

Humbug 214

lUawarra Fig 216

Mountain Pine 164

Indiarubber 80

in Eucalyptus 43

Ingmunyon 147

Insects of the Wattle -trees 121

Ironbark 67

Bastard 67

Black 24

Blue-leaf 23

Broad-leaved 23

Fat-cake 24

Grey 22

Red 22,23,24

Red-flowering 24

She 22

White 22, 67

Ironbarks — How to tell, &c 20

Irritant Woods 174

Jimmy Low 34

Kahikitea 154

Kakooroo 103

Kino for tanning 25

Koobah 103

Kurracabah 107

Lichlan Pine 160

Large trees 85,131,136

Large trees (Tallow Wood) 41

Leather Jacket 36,208,214

Lightwood 115,208

Lilac Persian 148

Limnoria terebrans 91

Litsaea reticulata Benth. 210

Long Jack 200

Long leaves 65

Lophoste mo n arborescens Schott 82

Macadamia ternifolia F.v.M 178

Mahogany, Bastard 32

Red 34

White 61,62,71

Malka 105

MalleePine 159

Marine wood- borers 8

Melaleuca leucadendron L 86

Melia Azedarach L. var. ausfralasica

CDV 148

222

PAGE.

Msssmate U9

Broad-leaved 68, 71

Woolly-topped 69

ililkwood 86

Minty-box 78

Moreton Bay Chestnut 212

Mothe rumba 104

Motherumbah 107

Motherumbung 108

Mottled Guin 43

Mountain Apple-tree 80

Ash 66,203

Gum 64

Hickory Ill

Oak 190

Pine 158,168

Stringybark 52, 54, 61

Mudgera bah 115

Mugga 24

Mulga 105

Apples 106

Black ; 106

Broad-leaved 106

Umbrella 106

Yellow 106

Mulkathandra 105

Muntharra 103

Murrumbidgee Pine 160

Myall 94

Bastard 107

Weeping 94

Myimbarr 119

Myrtles 80

Narrabeen Shale 191

Narran 97

Native Deal 170

Teak 196

Willow 103

Natural grafts 8

Negro-head Beech 205

Nelson, David 68

New England 169

New South Wales Blue or Flooded Gum 32

New South Wales Sassafras 209

Numba 86

Numbah 86

Nut, Queensland 178

Oak, Black 182,190

Black She 187

Bull 182, 190, 193

Drooping She 190

Erect She 187

Forest 194

Freshwater Swamp 1 85

Mountain 190

River 185,188

Salt-water Swamp 185

Sour 190

Swamp 185, 193

Tasmanian 69

PAGE.

Oaks, She 180

Silky ITS

Onion Wood 147

Optimum for Australian Timbers 12

Orange Gum 80

Oritcs excelsa R.Br 175

Oivenia cepiodora F. v.M 147

Oyster Bay Pine 157, 169

Pale Boxc s

Paper-bark tree ,

Pencil Cedp„r

Peppermint 38

Perfume (W,.ttle)

Persian Liu.c

Phases of Forestry

Pin-holes 59

Pine, Bsrry

Black .' 157, 163, 166, 167

Brown

Brush

Colonial

Common

Cypress

Hoop

Illawarra Mountain

Lichlan

Millee

Mountain 158,

Mu rrumbidgee

Oyster Bay 157,

Plum

Port Jackson 164,

Port Macquarie

Red 157. 163,

Richmond Rive r

Ridge

Rock

She

Stringybark

White 152, 154, 157, 160, 163,

Yellow 157,

Pine 8

Plastic appearance of trunk

Plum Pine

Plum-coloured Wattle

Podocarpus data R.Br

Poplar-leaved Box

Port Jackson Fie;

Pine 164,

Port Macquarie Pine

73

8G
146
,40
109
14&
7
,63
170
168
170
170
157
ICO
155
152
164
160
160
IGS

im
\m
170
\m

158
167
152
161
159
170
158

\m

163
152

81
170
109
170

78
216
160
15g

Queensland Gidgee 100

Nut 178

Rasp-pod 197

Red Ash 214

Bean 146

Box 74

Cedar 135

223

PAGE.

Bed Gum 80

Gum Scries 2G

Ironbark 22,23.24

Mahog.my 34

Pine 157,163,167

iiilkvOak 177

Stringybark 40, 52, 56,57

Turpentine 88

Ked-flowering Ironbark 24

Redwood 33, 38

/. iamnia trincrvia Blumo 90

. !>()n Cum 65

JIi' hmond River Pine 152

Kid.re Pine 161

iKiverBox ^ 27

j Oak 185, 188

Ro-^kPine 159

I owood 140

I ; Mind-leaved Box 78

BiiHty Fig 216

Gum 80

Silt-water Swamp Oak 185

S-indarac, Australian 157

S.. id-drifts 7

mms

.^ I safras, N.S.W

iiciily Beech

Scrub Box

Seasoned Colonial Timbers

Seasoning Depots

She as applied to Timbers..

B'poh

Iron hark

Oaks

Pine

Shiny-leaved Box

Sieber, Franz Wilhclm

209

210

82

10

11

,.r 22

210

22

180

170

78

66

Silky Oak. Black 173

Red 177

White 173

Silky Oaks 173

Turpentine 88

Silver Wattle 126, 129

Silvertop 55,67

Slaty Gum 36

Small-leaved Fi^' 216

Smooth-barked Apple 80

Sour Oak 190

Spotted Gum 43. 64

Stave-wood 202

fitenocarpus salignus R.Br 177

Stringybark 63, 69

Bastard G9

Blue-leaf 55

Broad-leaved 54

Brown 54,70

Mountain 52, 54, 61

Pine 158

Red 40, 52, 56, 57

' Tosmanian 68

White 55,66,57,69,72

Yellow 61

PAGE*

Stringy barks 52

Swamp Oak 185, 193

Tea tree 86

White Box 27

Sydnev Blue Gum 32

Wattle 123

Syncarpialaurifolia Ten 88

Tallow-wood 40, 63

Tangoon 31

Tanning Gum 114

Tasmanian Oak 69

Stringybark 68

Tea-tree, Broad-leaved 86

Swamp 86

White 86

Teak and Cudgerie 196

Teak Group 196

Native 196

Teredo 91, 171

Timber a necessity 9

Timbers which cause irritation of the

skin, &c 8

Toon 135

Tree-planting 8

Trees carved by aborigines 7

Trees, Giant.... 69, 70, 71

Trutania ronferia P.. Br 82

Turnip Wood 146

Turpentine 40

Black 88

Brush...... 90

Red 88

Silky 88.

Turpentine -tree 88

Twist in Australian timber 8

Two veined Hickory 119

Umbrella Bush 103

Mulga 106

Vernacular Names 36

Vertical growth of trees 7

Walkinct-sticks 8

Waterfrom Gums 79

Wattle, Plack 107, 109, 111, 119, 123

Black-hearted 115

Broad-leaved 109

Cootamundra 133

Cultivation 122

Golden 109

Green 109, 123, 126, 128

Plum-coloured 109

Silver. 126, 129

Sydney 123

Wattle-trees. Insects 121

Wattles 94

Dry Country 94

Weeping Myall 94

1

224

PAGE.

Wenem Beefwood. 176

White Ants 157,309

Beech 20®

Box 73, 78. 82

Oedftr 148

Qam. 30

Ironbark 22, 67

Leaf 214

Mahogany 61, 62. 71

Pine 152, 154, 157, 160, 163, 166

Jfi-'^Oak 173

Stringybaric 55, 56, 57, 69, 72

Tea-tree 86

White top : 59

Willoir „ 104

BroQghton ...~... 103

XatiTC 103

Wiirha 103

Wons-arrah ... 98

I

Wood used by abmogiaM for the parpoae

of proeaiingfire

Wood-blocks _ ."

WooUyBark ...

Wooliybatt 32, 37, 69, ".

WooilT-topped Messmate

Wnrta.

Yanan. 9^

f?oriy ^ «:^

Yellow Beech .j^

Box ". -

Gom. ,_^ f

Jacket .» "'„.

3Culga _..„

Pine ::,- 157

Stringybaik . \

Yellow-wood jti

Yownt 6c

Siimtj: WaiiMa Aprltf ■!■ GnlMck, Got«

■' Printer.— UM.

THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE
STAMPED BELOW

RENEWED BOOKS ARE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE
RECALL

LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

BookSlip-50//i-5,'70(N6725s8)458 — A-31/5

N9 771986

New South Wales.
Forest Dept.

Forestry handbook,

SD371

N4
pt.2

LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

DAVIS