spire, ee. LO NEMWHSOUTH WALES. b | FORESTRY HANDBOOK. Hy PART II. ¥ F i ® ~~ SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL ¢OMNERCIAL ® = =— PRES. OF NEW SOUTH WALES & ae BY Pe Hipatl gal MANDEN, WSs C2 a Monae fia. Ny GOVERNMENT BOTANIST. ieee bl P SYDNEY: WILLTAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER’. % Lae 4 ee : ’ > Ps it cea ft Bs081 + ————aiieasreeeseme CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BEQUEST | OF STEWART HENRY BURNHAM || 1943 Forestr handbook ... Cornell University The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924016409561 NEW SOUTH WALES. FORESTRY HANDBOOK. PART II. SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMERCIAL TREES ‘OF NEW SOUTH WALES. BY J. H. MAIDEN, LS.O., F.R.S., F.L.S., GOVERNMENT BOTANIST. SYDNEY : WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER t 94031 Ze 76 ob {3 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 Néw South Wales, which is still in progress, and sixty parts (ten parts to a volume), dealing with individual trees,* and containing a number of Appendices 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 Gazette of New 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.HM. * 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. i CONTENTS. PAGE. PHASES OF FORESTRY— Articles in the Forest Flora of New South Wales .............csceecvesceseeeeess Yj Timber a necessity............ ort is ee 9 Forest wealth of State ons sass scieapnnseeemese 9 Supply of good timbers not unlimited issih dlairediiciieinies 9 Supply of seasoned Colonial timbers true to name ..... at wise 10 Felling timber at proper 8€aS0N ..............cseeeeseeeeeeee aie 10 Seasoning depots ......0.--::scsseeeeeeeeee i Ae ai ll An optimum for Australian timbers 12 CLASSIFICATION secsseresnessansecamenwasnsacarenwantaubeviedieng a 5c8 sa dantwasciectadéseccsiecslatindns 14 TREES DESCRIBED IN FOREST FLORA OF NEW SOUTH WALES, AND THE CRITICAL REVISION OF THE GENUS EUCALYPTUB......... 15 GROUPING OF THE TIMBERS DEALT WITH..............ccceccceeseseeeeeeen ene 20 THe TroxnBaRKS— Eucalyptus paniculata (White or Grey Ironbark) 22 siderophloia (Broad-leaved Ironbark) 23 sideroxylon (Mugga; a Red Ironbark) 24 Rep Gum SERIEs— Ewcalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum)...........cc:cceceesecseeseeeneeeeaeeeues 26 = bicolor (Black or Flooded Box) .......:.secceceeceseeeseeceeneeueraeee 27 MICrothZca (Coola, Dalla) -.jciasieacesdaneceeicrercentinadiania stn sta snoeae entbe 30 saligna (New South Wales Blue Gum) ...........0.:.ccceeeeeee eee 32 resinifera (Red Mahogany) scssiiasgsssstsensivsergrivasvesausvensvenis 34 punctala (Grey Gum ) cscs wexswsenanarreonceamessamummnntinoneanwass 36 longifolia (Woolly Butt) ssssacsassvessescoaveoseuneaweucemsaneccnaniys 37 AnomaLots GrovPp— Eucalyptus microcorys (Tallow-wo0G)...........:::seseeeeeeneceee eee eeeeee ne neetees 40 maculata (Spotted Gum) .... eas sais ee w «643 corymbosa (Blood WOO) 1... ..sscceceeceeeeeresc ee een ere seneueeseeneeees 49 StrmayBaRKs— Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha (Red Stringybark) ..........:::esceeeeeee este eee e ene 52 capitellata (Brown Stringybark)............cseceeccseeeceesereeen ere 54 , eugenioides (White Stringybark) .............cccceseeceeeeeeeeeennees 56 Biacksutt SERIES— Eucalyptus pilularis (True Blackbutt) ......... hcacinciscieioniaichinaitauiumaitcacbedennnines 59 Muelleriana (Yellow Stringybark). way BE acmeniotdes (White Mahogany) ... (2 goniocalyx (Mountain Gum)............66 shes 258 wae Od, Sieberiana (Yowut or Mountain Ash) ..........c::sesceeeeees a 66 obliqua (Broad-leaved Messmate) ..........scsseserseseseeerereeeenee 68 Patz Boxes— Eucalyptus hemiphloia (White or Grey Box) 3 Bosistoana (Bosisto’s Box) 14 melliodora (Yellow Box)...... a si 16 populifolia (Bimble Box) .........cceeeeeeeeeeeeees 3 Myrries— Angophora lanceolata (Smooth Barked Apple) ........:.s:csssscesesteeeeeeeseees 80 Tristania conferta (Brush Box) ...-....s-sssssesereeeees on ait 82 Melaleuca leucadendron (Broad-leaved Tea-tree) .. 86 Syncarpia laurifolia (Turpentine) ......-.cscccesrseee eee 88 vi Warriss (Acacta), Dry Country WatTLes, PAGE, (a) Flowers in heads— Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall)........:.sccsesccseersececeeseeueeeeens CalalstawaBeniten 4 homalophylla (Yarran) gojer O6 Cambagei (Gidgee)......... wee 199. harpophyilla (Brigalow). aces 100 salicina: (COOba): sisson aemtinmanseaeKern W3 (6) Flowers in spikes— Acacia aneura (Mulga) .....cccceesceeeeseeeeene 105 Cunningham (Bastard Myall) ........cccseseeeeceseceenees 107 Eastern New SoutH Wares Warrites— Acacia pycnantha (Broad-leaved or Tanning Wattle) ..........cccceeeeeeeeeeee 109 penninervis (Mountain Hickory) .......cc0eeee ag LL, melanoxylon (Blackwood)........ aise 115 binervata (Two-veined Hickory) ...........00006+ 119 decurrens (Black, Green, and Silver Wattle).. cose ~=120 Baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle) ........cccccceeceeeseseasereeeereeesenees 133 Tue Cepar Group— Cedrela australis (Red Cedar).........ccccscessceeeeeeeenccueeeneeceesanes peidaivtaie anand 135 Dysoxylum (Dysoxylon) Fraseranum (Rosewood) — Muelleri {Red Bean) .... 146 Owenia cepiodora (Onion Wood) ... ve TAT Melia Azedarach (White Cedar)...........:-ccsccsscecseresenscsscscessenapoteecsensaee 148 Tur Pines— Y Araucaria Cunninghamii (Richmond River Pine) ...............cseceeeeneeeeeees 152 Callitris (Cypress Pines) seen COS Podocarpus elata (She Pine) .......:ccccccseeccneeeeeneeeceeccesereaseevebeeseneaeeees 170 THe Sixy Oaxs— Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak) .........ccceeceees Sis Gases opRSa peo GaN ee NenaNaeeS 173 striata (Western Beefwood) .. eve LEG: Stenocarpus salignus (A Beefwood)...,....... mith eT Macadamia ternifolia (Queensland Nut) ........ccccceccceceeceeeetneseereesetenenee 178 Tae SHE Oaks (Casuarina)— Casuarina lepidophloia (Belah) ..........csscsecseeesesceeenes ite GS RMSE Peeisem estate 182 glauca (Salt-water Swamp Oak) ..... wee 185 suberosa (Black She Oak) ........ oe . 187 Cunninghamiana (River Oak) .. wee 188 stricta (Drooping She Oak) ...... see 190 Luehmanni (Bull Oak) ...... vee 193 toruloga (Forest: Oak) .wccscesscnsnoyovagsnnuevsawa ces eapslarweseaness sees we 194 Tue Trak Grourp— Flindersia australis (Native Teak) .........ccccecceeeeeeeeeees Bennettiana (Crow’s Ash or Bogum-Bogum) .. Oxleyana (Yellow-wo0d)......csssecssecsseveseeereeene ae ‘ Schou ane (CUAGETIC): c.cecssseavorvecwerene cess saitadaeDedeee eds ecdatenss MISCELLANEOUS— : Gmelina Leichhardtii (White Beech) ........0.cscesceseeeceeceeceteneneeeeeseeeeees . 205 Ceratopetalum apetalum (Coach Wood)... - 208 Doryphora sassafras (Sassafras) .......... 209 Litsea reticulata (Bolly Gum).............06 Z10 Castanospermum australe (Black Bean) .... wes DIZ Alphitonia excelsa (Red Ash) .......t.ceceeeee siege: A Ficus rubiginosa (Rusty Vig)... ceccsesecenessenseeeenseeeesecnereuaevens scott pat Phases of Forestry. ‘Tue good forester is a many-sided man, who keeps his eyes open in regard io various aspects of his living tree and other plant 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 attempt kas been made to draw attention to such questions in certain articles, as follows, 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 in 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 particulars 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 Wellingtonta, of California. “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). T have expressed, the opinion that the problem, which is dealt with at some length, is a forestry question rather than an engineering question, and should be dealt with by forestry officers. 5. “Note on the Relations between the Geological Formation and the Vegetation which grows upon it” (v, 138). A resumé of the present state of our knowledge on a subject to which foresters are invited to contribute their experience. i) 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 importance to the forester. : 7, “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, 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 8. “Wood used by the Aborigines for the purpose of procuring Fire” Gv, 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, any authenticated information concerning the 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. ‘Ar 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 periods. 18. “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 heen 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 very little known, or at least recorded, and Mr. Hedley’s paper is of considerable iipartance, 15. “ Birds and Animals as Aids to the Forester” Civ, 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. 16. “ 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 New South Wales” Civ, 132). : Attention is drawn to the possibilities of a minor industry. 18. “Gum-leaves, sometimes edible, sometimes not” (sce p. 27). 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). 90. “ Tree-planting for Shade and Ornament in New South Wales, with especial reference to Municipal requirements” (vi, 290). J rs 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 countries in the world as regards its forest wealth. I am an old curator 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 a 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 that 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 uninterfered 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 estabh- lishing an adequate sinking fund. 10 Supply of Seasoned Colonial Timbers true 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 scasoned 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 cn 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 régards the general public, a certain amount of sentiment would not be out of place in endeavouring to encourage the use of colonial timbers. I mean that, having satisfied himself that a certain eolonial 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. New 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. Tt is a matter of regret that, in the Australian States, timber-trees are 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 yule 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 Northern 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 depdts, 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 svstem 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 Test. ; & lh Seasoning Depéts. ‘A large proportion of our timbef consists of hardwood, which is cheap, and used for rough purposes. Such timber is cut at all seasons, sawn 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 depdts. No. 1 has already been touched upon. As regards the second, various Government Departments, such as Railways, Roads 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 scnsoning depéts in various parts of the State, and draw supplies as required. Private 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 public 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 as 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 wise expenditure, which would be recouped over and: over again in the improved and more uniform quality 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 rnatter, and have wondered whether, seeing that the State is the principal proprietor of forests, and that it has already a staff of forest officers, whether State depts (under lease or otherwise) might not be established, where stocks of timber might be held, such timber having been felled at the proper time, seasoned for a suitable period, and branded with a mark which would 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 I feel convinced that the advantage of seasonably felling, of seasoning, and of properly naming our timbers, would become so apparent that private enterprise would take the matter up, and the State could withdraw from what might, at first sight, appear interference with private enterprise. We are at the present time giving our producers object lessons in many ways, and I do not think that a little State guidance in regard to the utilisation of our forest wealth would be either illogical or undesirable. 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 féel 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. 98:—‘ The stringybark (Hucalyptus obliqua) of Tasmania is used for wood-paving, 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. . . . #. obliqua seems. to attain its best development in Tasmania.” The Rev. J. W. Dwyer, of Temora, wrote to me: “Re Eucalyptus Stuartiana. 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 forthe rosy report given by one of your correspondents.” Mr. William Hogarth, of Momba, Wileannia, communicated to me nearly thirty years ago the following observation on the durability of timbers :—“ In any locality, wherever the particular kind of tree predominates, that timber 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, tle 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 me that any timber put in the ground as posts, &e., will last much longer if put: in upside down, 4.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 way 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 (Huc. 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. T 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 we may search for other districts offering similar conditions, and find standing timber, or cultivate the species under those conditions. 18 ‘We know that certain plants vary exceedingly in regard to their. product when grown in different districts, ¢.9., 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, Hucalyptus obliqua, 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 very, little value in a certain district of New South Wales. Be ee 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 idéea‘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 eertainly will not obtain them from books. 14 Classification. The classification of the commercial timbers of New South Wales is still Catania emits wee 3 capitellata...cceccereeeeenes Brown stringybark.... 28 8 CUNETED.. we eseeee ee ...| Silver-leaved stringybark . sgulse ~ 21 Consideniana ... | The yertchuk ........ccceeeeeeees 36 10 COTLACEG 0.22 seer ...| White or cabbage gum.... 15 5 corymbosa. wee) BlOOdWOOd 2... ...:eeceeeererneee ees 12 oe crebra... ...| Narrow-leaved red ironbark ...). 53 12 Deanei.. ...| Round-leaf blue gum............. ses 24 dives «.. ...| Broad-leaved peppermint ...... 19 7 Dunnii ..... ...| Macpherson Range white gum..|_—... 24 eleophora .. cigs) BUD GYsisacansndocaeodeendaeresetest ea 19 eugenioides .... ..| White stringybark ... 29 8 fruticetorum .. A Re art Se vegutipeuwnansamaity errinats 42 ll GUGANbed ....cesernecee eevee A mountain ashorgum-topped| 51 20 stringybark. QU cs sin ccoxmunsereeiosenass Gill's QFUM ......ecceeenerteneeeenene 15 GlObUlUS....ceseeeceseeneeeees Tasmanian blue gum .. oe 18 goniocalyz. detéaind Mountain gum............ 5 19 Gunnii ..... w..{ Cider gumi.......-eereeeeeeee as 26 hemastoma ... ...| White or scribbly gum .. 37 10 hemiphloia .... ..| White or grey box ....... 6 ll ANCTASBOEG, voc ceceeeresreeves A Mallee ....cccssscsessseeeeereees pee 4 Kirtontana viccccccccseceee] 0 tet eae este neesa nes 29 18 Figured in— x vame. ‘Crit. Rev. Tree, Vernacular Name, Forest gens Ho iS N.S.W. species only). 5 Part. Part, Eucalyptus leucovylon .........ccccce eee South Australian blue gum ... eis 12 Lon gifolid.....ecccecsseveeees Woolly butt ......0::s::eeeeeeeeeeee 2 20 Luehmanniana........000 Luehmann’s Gum .... 26 9 Macarthuri .....ccccccceee Camden woolly butt . vias 25 macrorrhyncha, ...| Red stringybark .... 27 8 maculata ...... ..| Spotted gum ...... 7 is maculosa ... ..| A white gum..... re 27 Maideni ..... ..| Maiden’s gum ............ sits 18 mzlanophloia .| Silver-leaved ironbark . 5k 12 melliodora ... | Yellow-box.... 9 14 microcorys .. ..| Tallow-wood .... 38 9 microtheca....... ..| The coolabah ........ 52 11 Muelleriana .. ..| Yellow stringybark. 30 8 NitENS...e.eeeeeee ..| Silver-top gum....i.. al as 19 nNuUMerOsh ... .| River white gum.............0066 17° ade obliqua ...... ..| Broad-leaved messmate ......... 22 2 ochrophloia . -| Napunyah ........ceeeeeee ees 50 iL odorata ...... ..| Western peppermint..... 41 11 oleosa ..| Red mallee.............. 60 15 OVALE ....ceeeeee ..| A swamp gum .......... wel 27 paniculata .... -| White or grey ironbark ......... 8 13 DAO ONG: aicrcaeg creisccuael! «po. ueidaissaiesnlehlssisee on 25 Perriniana... ..| Perrin’s gum . ao 26 pilularis .. «| Blackbutt...........006 31 1 piperita ...... . .| Sydney peppermint ..... 33 10 .Planchoniana . ..| Bastard tallow-wood ... 24 9 polyanthemos . | Red box ......... 59 13 populifolia ..... -| Bimble box ......:seceeeeeeeeeeeeee 47 10 PERCORS ccvinciiacsrigeseyesiie| 00"; taulgsieas ais 27 : PTOPINGUA vo... ACE Y SUM. ciedsienaet cavers eiewee is 29 pulverulenta ..... te aed" heb etharet ja 21 PUNctata vo... ss] GREY PUM peviersooecosdcinaeswesion sens 10 29 quadrangulata ............] A white box..... a 24 TOGNANS, ....ceesceves ...| Giant gum-tree.... 18 7 resinifera ... -| Red mahogany ..... 3 30 robusta ...... .| Swamp mahogany . re 23 PUDIAG Vo. eccceserereeee .| Manna gum .......... aa 26 BRUADCPT, seinaitehcnsmscwnceate Rudder’s box ..........ceseseeees nee 13 saligna ... .| N.S.W. blue or flooded gum ... 4 23 scoparia...... .| Wallangarra white gum ......... ie 29 siderophloia .. ..| Broad-leaved ironbark .........J 39 10 sideroxylon ... ...| Mugga: a red ironbark.......... 13 12 Sieberiana .. .| Yowut or mountain ash ........ 34 10 Smithit ...... Gully gum ....... sab hancnavelieaae ais 12 BGUAMOSO: -sccninasoedremtens| —. whhwtin ihe 17 stellulata .... Black Sallye i: cccsiecsinmcns sceaweves I4 5 Stuartiana.. .| But Buta... ne 24 tereticornis .... ...| Forest red gum .........0.ceeeee ll Thozetiana . .| Thozet’s uM .......eeeeeeeee secon 49 a umbra,.....+. Gell enct on ar sine en tee omelets ss 9 uncinala... ...| Whipstick mallee ...............65 14 viminalis,, «| Ribbon gum .........cceeeeeeeeeee eh us 28 virgata .... .| A virgate-eucalypt ..........06. 25 cs) VUNG ctiesaseaiecsene seed] |. Sakae RRR eNOS a3 7 vitred ...... White-top messmate ............ 23 7 EBvOWG: Gceedens:vcvvscorsaseseaeiscsvsees) avandia wansuinas 9 on 19 Tree. Vernacular Name. Figured in Forest Flora N.S.W. species only Ficus Henneana. .. rubignosa...... Flindersia australis ........ Bennettiana .,.. COLANGA....cee eee maculosa ... Oxleyana.... Schottiana ... Fusanus acuminatus .... Geissois Benthamii ...... Gmelina Leichhardtii ... Grevillea Hilliana ....... robusta ... striata...... Hakea dactyloides. eriantha ........ Frasert ......... Tvoryi ...... leucoptera . lorea ......4.. ‘“Macraeana .. saligna .... 1, Heterodendron oleeefolium .. Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia ..... Lagunaria Patersonis Lniscea dealbata ....... hexanthus.... reticulata ... zeylanica ....... Macadamia ternifolia Melia Azedarach, var. australasica.. Orites excelsd.........655 Owenia acidula.... cepiodora Panax elegans,,......... Pittosporum phillyreoides... Podocarpus elata ...... Polyosma Cunninghamit.. Quintinia Sieberi....... Verdonii .... Rhodospheera rhodanthema ... Schizomeria ovata ..... Scolopia Brownti,...... Sideroxylon australe .... Siphonodon australe .... Stenocarpus salignus ... sinuatus ... Syncarpia laurifolia... Synoum glandulosum.... Telopea oreades......... Speciosissima .. Tristania conferta...... Ventilago viminalis ..... Weinmannia rubifolia «| A deciduous fig ............ aac ...| A rusty fig .| Native teak ...| Crow’s ash or bogum bogum... ...| The Hill Flindersia ............... .| Leopard wood.,....... .| Yellow-wood ... ..-| Cudgerie ........ -| Quandong ...... ..| Red carabeen... ...| White Beech ..... ...| White yiel yiel .. ..| Silky Oak ve... -.-| Western beefwood .| A hakea wee | A hakea «| Fraser’s hakea ... ...| Ivory’s hakea ... -| Needlewood.,............ ..| A western cork tree . we | Macrae’s hakea..........:1ecseeeees ..| Willow-leaved hakea ............ .| A needlewood ........... ‘ ...| Western rosewood.. ..| Monkey nut........... . -| A white oak ........:cecccsseacneens | The Ugaulbie ...scscsssessessees .| She-beech or bolly gum........... ws Queensland nut oo... eeeeeee econ Melaleuca leucadendron............0608 ‘ oe or colane,,,........5+ .| Black pencil cedar ............... .| Narrow-leaved pittosporum ... .| Brown or she-pine ...........0... .| Feather-wood or yeralla......... -| Opossum WOO .........cceeeee ees * Yellow wood «.| White cherry .........::sescseseees .| Black apple avewsrsvceciesreeecays ...| Ivory wood ... se ...| A beefwood ... ...| Wheel tree ......... ...| Turpentine tree ... ..| Bastard rosewood.. ene Waratah ......... ...| Brush box... wai v| Supple Jack: ...csisoesccrsaves vivian Broad-leaved tea-tree .......... White cedar .........-.cecrepeerenee :] Prickly ash or silky oak . mion wood.......... Gippsland waratah Bramble-leaved weinmannia... 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 Part AP eee a Ge a ga a a 20° The Ironbarks. GENERAL REMARKS. 1. Eucalyptus paniculata (White or Grey Ironbark). 2. Eucalyptus siderophloia (Broad-leaved Ironbark). 38. Hucalyptus sideroxylon (Mugga; a Red Ironbark). The Ironbarks form such a natural group that I thitk it will be best to give a preliminary account of them, and then a few notes on the species under ‘present- consideration. We have six ironbarks, three of hey of especial value. Timbers of this class are so important halt 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 “ Narrow-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 Red 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, Hucalyptus Caleyi, a chiefly confined to - New England. . Twig in bud. . Fruits from the same branch. . Smaller fruits from Smithfield. stow Euewlyptus sideroxylon, A. Cunn. Tue Muccs; a.Rep Ironpark. Botanical Name.—Sideroxylon, from two Greek words—sideros (iron), aylon (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.—lIts 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., siderophlova and crebra) are also red. For obvious reasons it is 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 which most frequently has red or rather pink or crimson flowers. Often, however, it has creamy white flowers. Fruit—The shape will be nected 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 &. leucoxylon (from Victoria and South Australia), in #. maculata (Spotted Gum), and a few others. Bark.—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. Timber—The wood of this ig the deepest in colour, and also the softest and least valuable of the Ironbarks. The tree is often pipy and gnarled, but in many places it is a fine timber tree. Where one of the other Tronbarks is available, this Ironbark suffcrs by comparison; nevertheless, it is a useful timber, 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 Tronbark. F. Fi., pl. 148. EUCALYPTUS SIDEROPHLOIA, Benth. (Broad-leaved Red Ironbark.) F.FI., pl. 49. (The Mugga: A Red Ironbark.) EUCALYPTUS SIDEROXYLON, A. Cunn. 25 Hxudations—Its bark contains large quantities of kino, which also permeates the wood. Mr. Forester Allan, writing to me, says: I obtained the gum from the ironbark by boiling the bark and straining the liquor, after which I reduced it to a thick consistency. Large quantities cam be obtained by 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 ag 40 to 60 feet, and the diameter as 18 inches to 3 feet. Habitat.—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 the bush between Parramatta and Liverpool, in paddocks at South Creek, and in the neighbourhood of Richmond, 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 species 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 youghly drawn through Holbrook (near the Murray), Wagga Wagga, Hillston, Nymagee, Cobar, 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 the reckless extravagance with which this timber has been cut, it ig by no means scarce, especially in some localities, a few miles from the coast. While it is a very slow-growing tree, there is some consolation in the fact that it usually grows in barren, rocky country unsuitable for agriculture, and therefore wholesale clearings are not made as in the case with many other timbers. At the same time it does not readily reafforest. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 49. . An original specimen in flower collected by Allan Cunningham. . Seedling raised from seed collected at Stuart Town, N.S.W. . Natural seedling from Condobolin, N.S.W. . Fruits from Condobolin Hill (whence the preceding seedling was. obtained). Observe the warts frequently seen on the fruits of this species. gr. Fruits from Cootamundra to Grenfell. r. Fruits from Cabramatta, near Sydney. ‘ yotp 26 Red Gum Series. . Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum). . Eucalyptus bicolor (Black or Flooded Box). . Eucalyptus microtheca (Coolabah). . Eucalyptus saligna (N.S.W. Blue Gum). . Eucalyptus resinifera (Red Mahogany). . Eucalyptus punctata (Grey, Gum). . Eucalyptus longifolia (Woolly Butt). IOrnhwO HOH Eucalyptus tereticornis, Sm. t Tue Forest Rep 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 known, with the view to save confusion. It sometimes also goes under the names cf Blue and Grey Gums, and even others, but these names are best reserved for other trees. Variettes—According to some this species has a number of varieties; according to the more modern view it has in the past included a number of distinet species. The matter is gone into in Parts xxxi and xxxli 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 ig 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 much 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 fect high, with a diameter of 3 or 4 feet. 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 linc; common along the North Coast. : F. Fi, pl. 41, EUCALYPTUS TERETICORNIS, Sm, (Forest Red Gum.) 27 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 the same. c. Buds. Eucalyptus bicolor, A. Cunn. Buack or FiLoopep 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 intérmixed 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 Bogan. 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 and well-known tree, and can be recogwised 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 Coolabah (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.S.W., October, 1899, has analysed these leaves under the name of “ Booligal,’ with the following result :— Ether , F : F 2 Albumin- | Carbo- | Nutrient | Albumin-| Tannin Water. Ash. Fibre. (abe) oids. hydrates. | value. | cid ratio, | (oak bark). ,-Ac.). 16:07 4-13 9-05 | 7°24 ! 6°75 56°76 80 it 56 \ Gum-leaves sometimes edible, sometimes not. I have for many years made inquiries in regard to the fodder-value of our native vegetation. Jt 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 be 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 idiosyncrasies just as men have, liking one kind of food and 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 Australia would be! Much depends on the district in which 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 nofe on Edible and Non-edible Red Gum-leaves (Hucalyptus rostrata) in the Agricultural Gazette for June, 1899, p. 496. I got speci- mens from Moulamein, 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 bicolor, A. Cunn.), 7.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 it”; (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 what trees were good for feed. On being told that the Belah (Casuarina lepidophlota was one of the best in this locality, he thereupon cut down a num- ber of branches, only to find 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 (Casuarina Luchmanni). When telling me of this, my informant appeared amused at the recollection, for it seemed to him that these travelling bullocks must have a queer palate to prefer Bull-oak to Belah, but the driver explained that they were used to the former in their native district. F.FI., pl. 164. UE SS EUCALYPTUS BICOLOR, A. Cunn. (Black or Flooded Box.) 29 I would cordially invite correspondence on the very interesting subject I have brought before my readers. In deciding what are fodder-plants, it should be remembered that during droughts stock will eat almost anything, 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 be cleared up. ‘Seed—This is one of the few species of Eucalyptus whose seed, after grinding on stones, yielded food for the blacks. Timber—Mr. R. J. Dalton, of Wanaaring, says: Box Trces.—There are several varieties of Box; some are good for all kinds of work,. while.others, especially a kind which we call Swamp or Black Box, e ae indifferent, not even being good for firewood. This is Eucalyptus icolor. The aborigines used to make narrow shields of it. It does not appear to be a favourite timber. While used for fencing, it is not 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 St. Vincent’s Gulf and the Murray River and its lower tributaries, through Hastern 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 Lucalyptographia.) . This reference to “ coast tracks” applies, as regards Eastern Australia, to Queensland solely. . bicolor is a dry country species, and in Central and Northern Queensland many western New South Wales species approach the eoast. It prefers rich flats, which are liable to occasional submergence. ‘“A Box, low straggling tree, something like #. 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. Tt 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. 4. Juvenile leaves. _ B. Flowering twig with immature fruits. c. Mature fruits. 30 Eucalptus microtheca, F.v.M. THe CoouaBaH. Botanical Name.—Microtheca, from two Greck words, micros (small), and theke (something to put anything else in)—hence, in botany (amongst other technical meanings), a capsule—hence, a small fruit, for this species has one 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—Hucalyptus bicolor, 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 marked. Fruits—The very small fruits with exserted valves are usually quite sufficient to distinguish this species. Bark.—The bark of this tree, ag we in New South Wales 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.FI. iii, 228) quotes Oldfield, as regards the Murchison River, 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 different, as regards the bark, to New South Wales and Queensland (not far north) trees that, familiar as I am with the latter, I did not recognise H. microtheca (a White Gum) in the Murchison district, W.A., when I first saw it, and had 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. Roth 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 Eucalypts; its use is simply a matter of local convenience by the blacks :— In the North-west Central districts, especially in large water-holes, I have often watched the process (of fish-poisoning, or rather stupefying.—J.H.M.). The whole camp may co-operate, and will start throwing the leafy boughs and branches in first thing of a morning. During the day the water becomes darker and darker and strongly smelling, until by the following morning at sunrise, when it is almost black, the fish all lie panting at the surface, and are easily caught. (N.Q. Wthnography, Bull. No. 8, Roth.) The inside bark is beaten up and used as a poultice for snake-bites, heated. Cloncurry, &e. (H. Palmer.) Timber.—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.FI., pl. 195. EUCALYPTUS MICROTHECA, Fv.M. (Coolabah.) 31 heavier, and closer grained. Its grain is interlocked,’ and therefore it is difficult to split. It is useful in building and for fencing purposes, 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 Northern Railway of Queensland.” (Thozet.) Size—It is a spreading and medium-sized tree. Mueller (“Forest Resources 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 oe 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 WisLEs. This is the “Dwarf Box” of Forest Department (N.S.W.) Exhibition Catalogues of a few years back, where it is labelled: ‘ #. brachypoda; 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 diameter of 4 feet.” We have it from the banks of the Bogan, 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, 7.e. (with same length), varying on the same tree from % inch to ? inch broad. Angledool, north of Walgett, near the Queensland border (Newcomen) ; 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 Namoi, 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 leaning and crooked, resembling Box, but bark shaggier; grows in black-soil flooded country.” (Forest-guard , J. Hay, Boolearrol, through E. H. F. Swain, District Forester.) “ Coolibah, tree of 20 feet, crooked, low branching; foliage glaucous, limbs clean, rouzh 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. Juvenile leaf, Bourke. Flowering twig, narrow leaf, from Boolcarrol. Fruits, from Coolabah, Bogan River. . Broad mature leaf, from Moree District. (All .from New South Wales.) DOD 32 Eucalyptus saligna, Sm. * Tue N.S.W. Biue or FLoopep GuM. Botanical Name—WSaligna, 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 called “ 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 (#. longtfole&), so much so that it is there rarely used for posts and other underground work. In the same district the latter is also called “ Redwood.” Fruit—The 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 the Bangalay or Bastard Mahogany (Hucalyptus botryoides), 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-Neweastle 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 exclusively so. Bark—The Blue Gum is a smooth-barked tree, but it has more or less 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, occasionally 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 wheclwrights, and is a very useful hardwood. It is exten- sively used for building purposes, ships’ planks, &e., and is the most widely used of our timbers for felloes of wheels. Although this timber varies a * There is an allied species, H. Deanei Maiden, with ‘‘ round” leaves (by comparison), and inferior timber, which has not yet been figured in the ‘‘ Forest Flora.” F.Fl., pl. 13. EUCALYPTUS SALIGNA, Sm. (Blue or Flooded Gum.) 36 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 Rev. Dr. Woolls informed me that a coffin made of it was found to be in a sound state after fifty years. In the Nelligen (Clyde River) district, where it is known as Redwood, 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 delightful imparti- ality; but Woolly Butt for FE. 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 heavg, 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 HLuc. tereticornis. 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 white 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 which 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. J. 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. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 13. . Twig of young foliage. . Twig in flower. A Front and back view of anthers. p. Twig bearing fruits. + 94031—B a ee 34 Eucalyptus resinifera, Sm. . Tue Rep Manoaany. ‘There are several forms of this species, viz.:— (A.) Normal, or small-fruited form. (B.) Large-fruited forms, showing transit between it and FH. pellita, Fv.M. Botanical Name.—Resinifera, from two Latin words, signifying “ resin- bearing.” As a matter of fact, the present species is by no means a free yielder of “resin” (kino). Vernacular 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 ag 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 would, therefore, express the hope that it would be consistently called, by way of distinction (at all events in the export tradé), “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. Jn 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. Fryuit—The fruits vary much in size and to some extent in sculpture. ‘Bark—Of a flaky-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 cut with pit saw. Used 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. Tts 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 point 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 offer them. It is of a handsome eolour, 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). Jt makes the best of shingles; it does not discolour paint, which remains intact until it peels off, and, as it does not affect the water, it should be used when slabbing for wells is required. It Jooks very well as skirting boards and banister rails, &., 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., pl. 11. EUCALYPTUS RESINIFERA, Sm. (The Red Mahogany.) 35 _ &Xperts have been more taken with this timber, as a rule, than with any . other Australian hardwood. There is a future before Red Mahogany. lt _ 38 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 (EZ. resiniféra) in Laslett’s work on timbers do not belong to H. resinifera at all, but probably to E. siderophloia. Pro- fessor Warren made determinations of the specifie gravities of two specimens of this timber, which, in 1887, weighed 75:06 and 72-23 Ib. per cubic foot respectively. Three years later they weighed 62-21 and 62-23 Ib. per cubic foot respectively, 1 “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, Habitat.—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, &e. Westerly it occurs as far as the Kurrajong; also “Springwood, on the Blue Mountains. Northerly it will be found on the Hawkesbury River, Morrisset, Bulle- 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 noticed 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, Currawang ~~ Creek (near Nelligen), Otford (near National Park), Manly (north of Sydney), Wyong, Bungwall, Timbarra (near Tenterfield), and other Jocalities. It insensibly runs into the coastal Queensland Z. 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 Jeaves. sp. Anther, front and back view. ec. Normal or small fruits. p. Large fruits (transit to E. pellita, F.v.M.). 36 Eucalyptus punctata, DC. A Grey Gu. Botanical Name.—Punclata, 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 characteristic for punctata, being often present in H. 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 one common name” dictum cannot be realised. “More than one other species is known as Grey Gum, for example, Z. ,propinqua and E. tereticornis. Then why another Grey Gum? Suppose “we call £. teriticornis Red Gum (a name by which it is frequently known) > instead of Grey Gum; then there will be more or less confusion between it ‘and its brother, #. rostrata, the Red Gum par excellence. Or, to come back to the subject of our present Grey Gum, suppose we suppress Grey Gum, thaving assigned that designation to H. 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 greater appropriateness and use by a larger number of people, and we at once’ see that if we appropriate the name for H. 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 «geen 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, caused 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 the 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, pl. 37 EUCALYPTUS PUNCTATA, DC. (A Grey Gum.) 387 Bark.—It belongs to the smooth-barked. group of gum-trees, 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. I have already alluded to this in speaking of “ Vernacular names.” Timber.—It is so much like Ironbark in appearance that it is difficult to discriminate 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 is 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. J 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 be given as, say, 60 to 80 feet, with a diameter of 2 or 3 feet. Habitat—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. Juvenile leaf. B, Flower-bearing twig. c. Fruits. : : p. Fruits of variety grandiflora, Deane and Maiden. Eucalyptus longifolia, Link. ‘Tue Wootty Burr. Botanical Name.—Longifolia, of course means long-leaved, and the leaves of this tree are frequently very long, especially as Rev. Dr.'Woolls has ‘pointed out, when. young. and growing near water. But they have not the Joagest leaves, by any means. For example, those of HZ. globulus and E. goniocalyx 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 “ Bladkbutt.” It has this advantage, however, that the term “ Woolly Butt” is, so far as I know, never applied to any sther 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 1o the “ Brush” or “ Scrub Box” (Tristanta conferta). This tree often goes by the names of “ Peppermint” and “ Redwood” 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. Frut—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 (EF. hemiphloia or Bosistoana). Timber.—Dark red, of a wavy grain, rather heavy, and not unlike red jronbark 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-pavihe. 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 well 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 Jamberoo that was erected in 1851, and is consequently over fifty years in existeuce—post and rails of woollybutt, and a portion of it still in a good state of preservation, likely to F.FI., pl. 5. EUCALYPTUS LONGIFOLIA, Link. (The Woolly Butt.) 39 last for many years. Much, of course, depends on the state of the timber. avhere it is cut down, and the time of the year when this is done. The timber of the fence referred to was taken from a sound, healthy tree that had 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, nor is it liable to dry rot. It was formerly largely palmed off as red ironbark, 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 uative timbers on their merits. : Size.—It is a large forest tree. Mr. Andrew Murphy says that at Wyong it ‘grows very large—8 or 9 feet in diameter—and a great height.” The 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, Se the height of the trees at from 80 to 150 feet, with a diameter of 2-5 feet. a Habitat.—It is chiefly a New South Wales species, and belongs chiefly to the coastal and southern half of the State. It just exteuds into Gippsland. It is very plentiful on the coast, especially in the county of Dampier, N.S.W. The most northerly locality known to-me is Raymond Terrace, north of the Hunter River. Mr. A. Murphy, of Woy Woy, knows of only three places where it occurs in his district, viz., 3 miles from Gosford, also 2 miles from Wyong, and near Wyee. In the western suburbs of Sydney, ¢.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 Soutn WaAtgEs. ‘Ashfield, Strathfield, Homebush to Liverpool-road, very abundant; Banks- town, Cabramatta, Parramatta, Penrith (N.B.—The western range is at present unknown), Appin, Wollongong, Picton, Nowra (with unusually narrow leaves), Bateman’s Bay, Moruya, Bega, Bowni (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 VLATE 5. Twigs showing adult foliage and buds, flowers, and fruit :— A. Sucker-foliage. B. Anther. c. A small-fruited form. Note that the fruits: are usually in threes. 40. Anomalous Group. 1. Eucalyptus: microcorys (Tallow-wood). 2. Hucalyptus maculata (Spotted Gum). 8. Eucalyptus corymbosa (Bloodwood). Tallow-wood, Spotted Gum, and Bloodwood are sufficiently distinct from each other and from all others to be kept in a group of anomalous timbers. L Eucalyptus microcorys, F.v.M. THE TaLLow-woop. 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 New 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. “Tt has a corrugated, somewhat fibrous or stringy bark, which is always. riddled with the ‘roads’ of white ants into within } of an inch of the sap- wood.” (Forester W. P. Pope, late of Murwillumbah.) Timber.—Its colour is usually yellowish-brown or yellowish (sometimes, é.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. White Mahogany is not infrequently substituted for Tallow-wood. Both are good timbers, and car 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 (Kempsey), Used for knees (Laurieton). An 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 culverts, also for house ‘building, slabs, posts, and sawn stuff generally, but not flooring boards. Tallow- wood is considered to be very durable, and stands well in exposed places. White Mahogany is 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 ‘under the sap and bark is 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 greasy nature; and it has the effect, when being worked, of cleaning and keeping clean tools such as saws, &¢., which have got gummed in working other timbers. It is fairly durable in fresh water. It ‘is generally preferred to Blackbutt for the same uses it is put to. (Forester G. R. Brown, late of Port Macquarie.) The timber is very lasting both in and out of the ground, and is very valu- able for bridge decking, posts and rails, but is rather hard for splitting. It is also cut for mill timber, but many trees are faulty, especially those that have bumps growing out of the barrel. (Forester W. F. Crowley, late of Casino.) The “roads” of white ants to within + of an inch of the sapwood are a great drawback to the value of the timber. 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 “gum” 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 Eucalypts, 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 (3 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 6 25 feet in circumference by 180 to 200 feet in height. (Of twenty-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 18 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 log 42, (clear 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, meainout 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 this 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.) Habitat.—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 ig Cooranbong, 26 miles south of Newcastle: It again occurs at Port Stephens, and thence along the coast ranges until darn ee 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 which Tallow-wood is to be found is an area about 4,000 acres in the neighbourhood of Cooranbong, 26 miles south of Neweastle. I believe that Tallow-wood crops up again at Port Stephens, so that there is a gap between the two places (Cooranbong and Vort Stephens) where Tallow-wood does not grow, and why it should be found only about Cooranbovg is more than I can tell. The Tallow-wood here grows in patches —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, but is now most prevailing between Bullahdelah and Cocloongolook, and in the southern parts of the parish of Alfred, commencing about 14 miles in a northerly direction from Dungog. The hest and largest timber is usually found in undulating scrubby forest country. In localities mentioned it is in considerable quantity, but in most places. near to mills, it is getting relatively scarce since 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 45 miles, and backwards about 10 miles. In abundance about next to Blackbutt, and an average of two per acre, averaging from 20 to 25 feet to first branch. (Forester G. Ik. Brown, late of Port Macquarie. ) It grows pretty well all over this district, but is now rather scaree in the vicinity of water carriage, but plentiful further back. (Forester IL. R. Hux- ham, late of Grafton.) It is found plentifully scattercd 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. I. Crowley, late of Casino.) Tt is to be found in all stages of growth (up to 10 feet girth) on the eastern falls of Glen Innes and Tenterfield Districts in fair quantities, (Late Forester 1 J. Deverell, of Glew Innes. ) F. FI. pl. 144, EUCALYPTUS MICROCORYS, F.v.M. (Tallow Wood.) 43 The tree flourishes on the eastern slopes of the tableland, also close to the black brushes below, where the soil seems particularly suitable for its pro- duction, doing best where well drained, the land being stony, with quantities of decayed vegetable on the surface and rather stiff soil underneath. On Forest Reserve 1,662, county of Clarke, there is a large quantity growing. some of which was cut in 1892 by men who had been bridge-building all over the colony, who informed me that this particular lot was the best quility they had come across. This is produced on the high land about 2,400 feet above sea-level. It is distributed over a large area of the more open country under the falls, but does not reach the size it does where better protected and the soil is richer. (Late Forester R. L. Siddins, of Armidale.) It is found all along the eastern slopes of the New England tableland in fair quantity and good quality. It prefers a somewhat heavy soil. It is hardly ever found on granite formation, that is, where the soil is light and sandy. (Forest Guard N. Stewart, Glen Innes.) Tallow-wood, with the exception of the Common Box, grows more abun-, dantly in this district than perhaps any other Eucalypt. It is found uniformly distributed through all forest land at about four trees to the acre. Other hardwoods are generully in patches, or favour certain spurs, but one never goes many yards in forest land without finding several of these trees. (Forester W. P. Pope, late of Murwillumbah.) EXPLANATION OF PLATE 144. A. Juvenile leaf. B. Flowering twig. ‘ c. Fruit from Booral. pv. Fruit from Woolgoolga, showing slightly exserted valves. Hucalyptus maculata, Hook. Tur Sporrep Guu. Botanical Name—Afaculata, Latin (“ motted ”), in allusion to the bark. Vernacular Name.—Its almost universal 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 the nature and behaviour of a leaf of Eucalyptus citriodora, which I picked yesterday, that I send vou the specimen T dealt with, which I have mounted on the paper. When I broke the leaf, which was about 3 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 Jeaf. On drawing apart the two broken pieces of the leaf these two threads - still held on, and I slowly drew them out, when, besides stretching ont like a thread of india-rubber, they gradually separated or unravelled from the edge: of the leaf, both at the stalk end and at the tip of the leaf. The threads were so elastic that I drew them out to the length of 63 and 7} inches respectively before they broke, and they then curled up like a piece of india-rubber cord when the strain is taken off, and they now, after twenty-four hours, retain their elasticity. (Gardeuers’ Chronicic, Tth February, 1908, p. 92.) iTo which I replied: There is a small quantity of Caoutchouc in the leaves of (at least) the ywwembers of the Corymbose section of the genus. It is particularly observable in the widely-distributed F. corymbosa, Sm. (Bloodwood). It is a common thing to see small boys pull apart the young leaves of that species, and a thin membrane, mainly consisting of Caoutchouc, is at once obtained. (23/5/03.) & 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. H. G. Smith has published a paper on this substance in Eucalyptus corymbosa and some species of Angophora in Proc. Roy. Soc., N.S.W., xu ii. 183 (1908). Fruit.—Note the shape of the fruit, which is often like a small form of the Bloodwood (#. corymbosa). 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 Agriculture 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 strongly-formed opinions, which are, in some cases, we are afraid, rather the result of tradition than of personal observation 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 blocks 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 in arriving at a unanimous opinion. We recognise that there are conflicting interests involved in 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 we 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 FOR SPOTTED GUM. To add to the inherent difficulty of the subject, some of our correspondents are under the impression that the Spotted Gum of New South Wales (and Queensland) is identical with that of Victoria. The Spotted Gum of New South Wales (ELucalyptus maculata) does not extend to Victoria, and the Vic- torian Spotted Gum, whose botanical name is Lucalyptus goniocalyx is ano inferior timber to it. Another correspondent alludes to a bastard Spotted Gum at Orange, which is a most inferior timber; we know of others in the Mudgee and Queanbeyan districts, both nearly worthless timbers, and any impression that they 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 (Angophorea lanceolata), which-somewhat resembles the Spotted Gum in bark, cut up for Spotted Gum. Angophora timber is very inferior, and, if passed as Spotted - Gum, wpuld 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, of coarse, wavy grain, have all been sent to us as Spotted Gum, to which they bear a superficial resemblance more or less strong. Srreciric USES TO WHICH SPOTTED GUM HAS BEEN PUT, Our correspondents have used Spotted Gum for railway fencing, hammer and axe handles, way-levers, shipbuilding, paving-blocks, sleepers, decking and deck guards for bridges and wharfs, girders in bridge and flood openings, house 46, carpentry, door-frames, sills and joists, buggy and dray: shafts, and other. portions of the bodies of vehicles, wheelwrighting, farm implements, boat timbers, tip waggons, railway buildings, railway und other bridges (laminated arches of railway bridges, sheeting, wings, wales and decking, hand-railing, braces, ‘ballast guards, walings, girders). Spotted Gum is largely replacing American Hickory in the coach factories. along the coast for waggons, buggies, sulkies, &c., and large orders are being filled for coach factories in Sydney and elsewhere, care being taken to cut the timber free from sap, heart, and gum-veins. USES FOR WHICH SporreD GUM Is RECOMMENDED BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS. There is no difference of opinion as to its value for inside work for coach- builders’ purposes, and for such purposes as levers and handles, and rods for artesian bores, where great strength and elasticity are required. 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 home 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 Spotted Gum are excellent as regards freedom from gum-veins. 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. y SPOTTED GUM PARTICULARLY CONSIDERED WITH RESPECT TO ITS FITNESS OB OTHERWISE FOR 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 wood. 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-lines, &e. 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 Pavements in Sydney, 1890-1893. Feap., Sydney, n.d. (1894). 46 many instances, and as one block is attacked, dry-ret spreads throughout those atijacent. A sample block showing this decay is forwarded herewith.” Again, page 10: “My experience of Spotted Gum 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 x condemnation, coming from such an important source, requires our careful cousideration. We find, however, after examining over 200 wood-blocks, which Mere recently removed from various streets in Sydney, about 150 of which were 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 which have worn well are Spotted Gum, although labelled otherwise. In other words, a general statement, whether of praise or condemnation, founded ou data such as this, must be unreliable. We further observe that in an official report by the City Surveyor to the Under Secretary for Mines 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 fe inferred from figures thus obtained. We are of opinion that, owing to the conditions under which the city paving-blocks were laid, the tests are of little value. To begin with, it is almost impossible to obtain blocks exactly 6 inches deep. This is recognised from the fact that it is usual to allow contractors a wariation of 2, of an inch when cutting, allowance being made for the set of iveth of the saw, and other circumstances it would be difficult 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 locks 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. Yur ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES TO THE USE or SpoTtTeD GuM CONSIDERED. : (a) Advantages. 'The advantages stated by several persons are— 1. Durability. 2. Strength, toughness, and elasticity. 3. Capacity for bending. 4. Lightness. 5. Basy working. G. Evenness of quality. 7. Large sizes readily obtainable. 8. Comparative freedom from pipe. 1. Durability. It 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 twenty-five years. We were informed of a girder twenty-six years in a bridge, and still quite sound. (Dingo Creek, Belbowrie, near Wingham.) ‘The life of rails of a «ehock-and-log fence is given at thirty-five years. Several witnesses give the dife of rails at twenty years, others thirty years, other “fences” (? rails) at forty and more. One correspondent gives the lives of “ posts” at forty years. _ Shingles are stated to last thirty years. -Turning to shipbuilding, the plank- ing, beams, &ec., of a pilot steamer, after nineteen years’ wear, were stated to be “as sound as ever.” At the London Exhibition of 1862 a piece of timber + Not reproduced, 47 ‘Was shown from the hull of the steamer “ William the Fourth,” and properly certified. With the exception of some slight charring on the mere surface of the timber in the immediate vicinity of the boilers, the entire fabric of this vessel is as substantial and sound as when she was built in the year 1830 (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 most 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’ purposes, &¢. a 8. Capacity for Bending. This is readily admitted, and advantage is taken of this property, 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 Gum for buggy and waggon building, no other available timber having the same elasticity and toughness. 5. Easy Working. It gives a clean face, takes paint readily, and when at all seasoned before putting in work does not warp or twist, particularly in buggy shafts and poles. 6. Evenness of Quality. This is an important question, all timber showing large gum-veins (or dis- coloured in, appearance), or carrying any sap whatever, should be rejected. Timber must be cut from fully-matured trees, absolutely free from heart or heart-shakes and sap. Shipments should be uniform 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 fcel confident if this is done it wil 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 correspondent? in reply to question 19. 8. Comparative freedom from pipe. This is more particularly applicable to southern Spotted Gum, and we do not know that it can be altogether considered to be an advantage. Freedom: from pipe means presence of heart, inferior timber in regard to which speciat care is, or should be, taken to remove. : We do not recommend it for square girders, as it shells in square sizes under sun exposure. (0) Disadvantages (as stated by various corresponidents). 1. Liability to warp and twist. 2. Inclination to split. 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 on the 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 Blackbutt, and not as much as Sydney Blue Gum (Z£. saligna). We think that increased attention should be given to the proper period for felling Spotted Gum, i.c., it should not be cut when the 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 fine powder through the operations of the larve of a small beetle (Lyctus brunneus), 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 on 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, and’ we ‘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 6 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. 6 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 Hveniny News, 1Sth June, 1895 :— About 14 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 Mr. Higgins’s selection, 14 miles distant, give the palm to that in Casey’s Gully. Its circumference at the base is 44 fty-1 ti.5 about 5 feet from the ground it measures 40 ft. 3 in. It scarcely tapers 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. Habitat—Until a few years’ ago the Spotted Cum 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. / Fy. Fly 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 me 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 Hmit 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, 7.¢., on the Badgery’s Creek road there is plenty up to 6 or 7 miles. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 27. _ A. Sucker or juvenile foliage. B., Twig, bearing flowers. c. Fruits. Eucalyptus corymbosa, Sm. Tue Broopwoop. Botanical Name.—Corymbosa, from the Greek korumbus, or Latin corymbus, a summit. FHlence the term corymb, in botany, where 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. Vernacular 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 name. At the same time there are some other Bloodwoods in 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 bees 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 ‘this 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 ease. Eucalyptus seeds are worthy of fuller investigation. ° Bark.—The scaly appearance of this bark is characteristic, and, should be 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 an 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 upon 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, [ 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. I have seen timber rejected for wood-blocks because of gum-seabs 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 Jatitude in dealing with timber containing gum-veins. Used for posts, naves, &e., 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 Macquarie 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. Whenit 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 sleepers, and wherever round timber is required for use in culverts and F. FI, pl. 45, EUCALYPTUS CORYMBOSA, Sm. (The Bloodwood.) 51 bridges and for ballast logs, anc for zrouud work generally, is in my opinion, not to be surpassed, as it is as lasting, and not so combustible, or subject to the white ant, as ironbark, Tor fuel in furnaces it generates more heat than any wood I know. Mr. District Forester Rotton, of Nowra, reports :— As it seasons it reduces in weight, probably more than the wood of any other tree of the Eucalypt family. Though soft when green, it is not an easy timber to work, and does not present a neat finish owing to the numerous runnipg rings and gum-vessels it contains. It is not an uncommon occurrence for a piece of this wood of the length of a railway sleeper when squared to open out from end to end as soon as the guin in the ring dries up. It is this defect that renders the wood useless for railway sleepers. The rings 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 in the ground 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 timbers of this and the Clarence district for the 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. Pullen, Wool- goolga.) Exvudations—The kino or red “ gum,” which exudes from this tree, has already been briefly 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 in 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 up with indurated kino, but picking off the substance often causes the stream to flow afresh. Tt 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, 7.¢., with a height of say 60 feet and a stem diameter of 2 feet or 2 feet 6 inches. Speaking of the east slopes of New England,- Mr. A. R. Crawford writes to me: “I saw a Eucalyptus corymbosa of 4 feet in diameter, height (approx.), of 80 fect to first limb. ‘Another of 4 feet, and height 70 feet.” Distribution.—It extends all along the coast from the Bega district north- wards to Queensland. It is also found on the coast ranges, where it attains a 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 withal. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 45. A. Twig, bearing flowers. B. Fruits, urn or urceolate in shape. Not quite ripe, but well showing the constricted shape. (a and sb from Sydney district.) 52 Stringybarks. 1. Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha (Red Stringybark). 2. Eucalyptus capitellata (Brown Stringybark). : 8. Eucalyptus. eugenioides (White Stringybark). Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha, F.v.M. Rep STrRInGyBARK.. Botanical Name.—Macrorrhyncha, from two Greek words, makros, 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.’ éugenioides 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 appears. to be quite ahsent from the coast districts of New South Wales. Fruits——The fruit has 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 iand scantlings, and furnishes a fair fuel. This timber seems not to be different from ‘that of F. 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. H. 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 raliway 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 Sours Watss. 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. 53 Southern Localities -Quiedong, near Bombala (W. Baeuerlen) ; Bombala to Delegate (J.H.M.); Tantawanglo Mountain, Cathcart, Montgomery’s Mill (H. Deane) ; Gungahleen (Goldsbrough, Mort, & Co.), with thick, short leaves and strongly marked venation; Tumut (W. W. Froggatt) ; Gundagai (H. Deane) ; Barber’s Creek (H. J. Rumsey); Bowral to Wombeyan Caves, 1 mile east (J.H.M. and R. H. Cambage); 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, &e. Western Localities —Hassan’s Walls, Bowenfels (J.H.M.); Capertee and Sunny Corner, with remarkably angular rim to fruits (J-H.M. and J. L. Boorman); Rylstone (R. T. Baker); Mudgee (W. Woolls). Fruits rather smaller than the type. ‘A coarse grandiflora form, with the fruits g-inch in diameter, the rim very prominent and urceolate 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 H. 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 macrorrhyncha usually are. That this tree is a strong connecting link between F. capitellata and EF. macrorrhyncha is unquestionable. A form with normal fruits is also found in the Warrum-. bungle Ranges (W. Forsyth). Minore, near Dubbo, perhaps the most westerly 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. EF. macrorrhyncha runs into E, Muelleriana, the “Yellow Stringybark” or “Blackbutt,” without any doubt. In New 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 ta be bluntly angular and. compressed just like H. 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. H. Cambage); Howell, near Tingha (J.H.M, 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). QUEENSLAND. Stanthorpe (F. M. Bailey). De EXPLANATION OF PLATE 102. A. Juvenile leaves (from Bombala, N.S.W.). B. Flowering branch (from Weddin, N.S.W.). : c. Fruits (from Mount Esk, Bowan Park, near Cudal. SAWS) Eucalyptus capitellata, Sm. Tur Brown STRINGYBARK. 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 Stringybark” is a mame sometimes applied to this species in this State, in allusion to the darker colour of the wood as com- ‘pared with that of H. evgenioides. It also goes under the name of “ Broad- Jeaved Stringybark.” It is the ‘“ Mountain Stringybark” of Victoria (A. W. Howitt). J. E. Smith (following White) called it ** Brown Gum- tree.” Messrs. Baker and Smith have suggested the name “ Brown Stringy- bark” for this species, and the name is as good ax any. ‘Bark.—Often very thick and fibrous, a typical 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. Timber.—Brown or reddish-brown when fresh, drying to a paler colour. ‘A good timber for splitting, and hence much used for posts, rails, buildings (formerly for shingles), and fuel. It is tough, strong, and durable. Size —A medium-sized tree as a rule, say 50 fect bigh, with a diameter of 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches. Range.—This species is confined to New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. New Sout Wares. The type came from Port Jackson, Around Sydney it appears to he almost (perhaps cutirely) confined to the sandstone. It oceurs south, west, and north of Syducy, 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 fect above the sca, and F . Fi., pl. 102 vill ZES— Za SS iN A MAGCR OR RHYNGHA. F.v.M wveM. (Red S tringyb ark.) F. Fl., pl. 106. EUCALYPTUS CAPITELLATA, Sm. (The Brown Stringybark.) 55 about 50 miles east of Armidale, on the Grafton Road. 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 14 miles east of Deepwater, 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 biwish 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, T look upon this as one of the forms intermediate between EF. 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 east 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 HE. eugenioides in the Blue Mountains, with a “ silver top.” “White Stringybark.”—Tall trees, white bark, good timber, leaves bluish tint, easily distinguished frorh “red” in the bush by the more robust growth. Nye’s Hill, Wingello, 8/99 (J. L. Boorman). The fruits are as small as those of F. eugenioides, but compressed like those of EF. capitellata.' They precisely resemble those of the Hilltop Bluc-leaf Stringybark just referred to. The “bluish tint” of the leaves is also similar. Buds stellate, and strongly resembling those of H. cugenioides when young; coarse aud angular, like those of #. capitellata, when more mature. Clyde Mountain specimens precisely resemble those from the Blue 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., with 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 from 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 106. A. Juvenile leaves from Middle Harbour, Port Jackson. Notice their almost orbicular shape and stellate (star-shaped) hairs. B. Sucker leaves from Blackheath, Blue Mountains. Notice their comparatively great width and stellate hairs. c. Flowering branch. Note the angular or compressed buds. p. Fruits from Port Jackson, where the type came from, ‘56 Eucalyptus eugenioides, Sieb. A Wutte STrRincyBArK. Botanical Name—Eugenioides, from two words, Eugenia, a genus of Myrtaceous plants, and a Greek word, oidos, like, indicating that the foliage reminded the describer of that of a Hugenta. Vernacular Names.—It is usually known simply as “ Stringybark.” It is often known as “ White Stringybark” in this State, and also in Victoria (A. W. Howitt), but the timber is often reddish, and hence it bears the mame of “ Red Stringybark” also. In those cases 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 “ White 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. Bark.—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. Timber.—When freshly cut usually dark brown, but drying to a pale warm brown, and even whiter. In some districts, however, the timber is distinctly red, even redder than the local #. 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 “ Red Stringybark” (#. macrorrhyncha). Following is an extract from the Catalogue of the Queensland Forestry Museum, 1904. Red stringybark (Hucalyptus 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 purposes. 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 uncommon. / Tabitat—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. 57. New Sours WaAtes. Southern Localities —Twofold Bay (J.H.M.); Wyndham and Bemboka, (A. W. Howitt) ; Conjola, near Milton, with very long opercula (W. Heron) ; south of Nowra, from Jervis 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); Wingello (J. L. Boorman), medium trees, detected by short leaves and absence of glaucous tint. “Red Stringybark,” in contradistinction to “ White Stringybark” (EZ. 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, but also found om sandstone. J ollowing are some Sydney district localities:—Homebush (J.H.M.); Coneord 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 (H. 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- tains,. occurring all over. the range, and at all heights. Compared with the other rather common Blue Mountain Stringybark (#. capitellata), the timber is redder (!). The juvenile foliage is narrower, and not glaucous, like that of EF. capitellata. The fruits of EF. eugenioides on the Blue Mountains are not often exsert; instances to the contrary are Springwood (H. Deane) ; Mount Wilson (Jesse Gregson), with inner bark very yellow. : Jenolan Caves (W. F. Blakely). . At Capertee (J. L. Boorman) and Mudgee (District Forester C. Marriott): it is known as “ White Stringybark.” 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.); Mogerani Mountain, Gloucester (J-H.M.); Upper Hastings River (J.H.M.); Macleay River (Forester W. Macdonald). 58 Murrurundi (J.H.M. and J. L. Boorman). Valves slightly exsert, rim broadish, 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 type. Specimens irom 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- man). Juvenile leaves intermediate. Mature leaves broadish. Fruits (from same tree) fla't-rimmed, domed; valves exsert and sunk; hemispherical and inclined to be sub-cylindrical. Fruits in heads, slightly constricted, valves sunk. Tent Hill (EK. C. Andrews). Small fruits in heads, valves not exsert, Styx River (A. W. Howitt). 1 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. macrorrhyncha. Ascending New England from Port Macquarie, this species was first observed about Yarrowitch. 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 a double operculum (J.H.M.). Tenterfield to Sandy Flat (J.H.M.). Fruits very similar to those of Sydney, e.g., Concord 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 H. Muelleriana). Foot of Mount Lindsay (W. Forsyth); Moonambah, Richmond River (ai Baeuerlen) ; valves slightly exsert. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 110. ‘A. Juvenile leaves, drawn from Sieber’s type. Note their narrow- ness, their toothed margins, and stellate hairs. B. Twig with buds. c. Fruits. F. FI., pl. 110. EUCALYPTUS EUGENIOIDES, Sieb. (A White Stringybark.) Blackbutt Series. . Eucalyptus pilularis (The True Blackbutt). . Eucalyptus Muelleriana (Yellow Stringybark). . Eucalyptus acmenioides (White Mahogany). . Hucalyptus goniocalyx (Mountain Guim). . Eucalyptus Steberiana (Yowut or Mountain Ash). . Hucalyptus obliqua (Broad-leaved Messmate). om & Ne a \ Eucalyptus pilularis, Sm. Tue Buacksurt. 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 may make the comparison, a sort of ‘middle link betweeen such fibrous-barked trees as the Stringybarks and such smooth ones a3 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 could be taken to thig adjective also. Leaves—Note the pale underside of the leaf. Bark.—Has fibrous bark 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 Rivers, it is free from gum-veins, and then presents considerable similarity to Tallow-wood (H. 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 purpose. 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 have 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 eucalypts, 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 :— ‘Girth at ground, measuring 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 trunk 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, Ila- 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 circumiference 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 flats, 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, which are not so abundant as Blackbutt. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 116. ‘ Typical form. from Port Jackson. . 1. Young shoot, portion of a seedling. Note the dentate margin, and tufts of hairs; also anthers. . Flowering twig, the buds with pointed opercula. . The fruits are nearly globular (pilular). bs F. Fi, pl. 116. pds EUCALYPTUS PILULARIS, Sm. (Typical form from Port: Jackson.) OL Eucalyptus Muelleriana, Howitt. THE YELLOW STRINGYBARK. « Botanical Name.—Muelleriana, 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 timber is also yellowish. Occasionally it goes by the same name in coastal New 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 HL. 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 must not be confused, with the true White Mahogany, HH. acmentotdes; in the coast districts it is sometimes called “ Blackbutt,” like £. pilularis, to which it is closely related. Somctimes in Northern New South Wales, it goes under the name of “ Mountain Stringybark,” and in other localities simply “ Stringybark,” and _also. “ Messmate.” Bark.—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. Timber.—lIt 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, &c. Timber-getters describe it as “a very clean timber.” The timber of this tree is usually darker in tint than #. piperita. It is ‘fissile, free from gum veins or shakes, 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. I have, myself, observed posts of this timber standing in fences at Woodside since 1859. The.local name of _this tree is “Yellow Stringybark.”— (Howitt, Trans. 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 is 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-General of Public Works having (on the 6th 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 spliced on,” my colleagues and myself were able to obtain ‘ Bpecific 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 per- fectly sound, uninjured by sea-worms, and having the appearance of clean, well-seasoned timber, in excellent condition, notwithstanding that these piles had been in sea water more than thirty-one years. With reference to the wharf at Port Albert, the Inspector-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 reported that, whereas the Gum 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, &e., of this kind of Eucalyptus, and we all noticed that it seemed less liable to warp than any other kinds of Hucalyptus, a fact mentioned in one of my previous reports on Yellow Stringybark. As, in addition to the specially important quality of great durability in the sea water, Yellow Stringybark has a specific strength very much greater than that of Red Gum and than that of Jarrah (as shown in the tabulated results of my tests of Yellow Stringybark, inserted in my report of 5th July, 1890), my colleagues and myself have arrived at the conclusion that this species of Eucalyptus may be used for piles and other purposes in the Melbourne harbour works. Size—A large tree. Trees 60 feet high, with 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 a 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 developed in New 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 Kembla. 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 acmenioides, Schauer. Tar Waite Manocaxy. Botanical Name.—Acmenioides, from two words—Acmena and the Greek, oides (like). Our common Lilly Pilly, Bugenia Smithii, was once known as Acmena, and the leaves of EF. acmenioides reminded Schauer of those of Lugenia Smithii (Acmena), FURL, pL 413... EUCALYPTUS MUELLERIANA, Howitt. (The Yellow Stringybark.) 63 Vernacular Names.—“ White Mahogany.” This tree has a pale-coloured timber, which bears no resemblance to the mahogany of commerce or to the Red 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- Jand, 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 paler in colour, that it is not greasy, and harder than the better-known timber, will perhaps give a good idea of it. It is one of the most durable timbers in New 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 a 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 useful 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 difference 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 open in grain. For general purposes it should only rank as a third-class hard- wood, and when called upon to stand exposure 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 the Northern Coast country. The wood of this tree is hard, and very close in the grain, but splits easily, ard is very similar in appearance to that of Tallow-wood. The principal 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 then along the coast at least as far as Kempsey. Irregularly distributed with Stringybark (Z. cugenioides, 64 Sieb.) on the ridges. Not often cut in the saw-mills, because it is heavy 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 ‘in- 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.c.. 1837), 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 rough bark of a yellowish-brown or ginger colour, and the wood is a pale yellow. It is excellent for any purpose in building except for sawn boards, as it chafes (sic) into concentric rings. It will do, however, for piles, girders, or sleepers, and will last double the time that Ironbark, Box, or Turpentine will. In the Kincumber (Gosford) district White Mahogany is a well-known timber, and the balance of evidence available to me shows that it is durable. At the same time there is no doubt that we can have inferior White Mahogany, just as we can have inferior kinds of other timbers. The Official Catalogue of the Queensland Forestry Museum, 1904, says: A large tree, with a fibrous persistent bark; wood of a light-brown 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 New South Wales and Queensland. Its southernmost locality known to me 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. . Juvenile leaves. . Flowering branch. . Fruits (Gosford District). . Smaller fruits from Brisbane. Buds. we oe > Eucalyptus goniocalya, F.v.M. Tre Mountaw Guo. Botanical Name.—Gonicalyx, from two Greek words—gonio (an angle), and karpos (a fruit), in reference to the raised edge on the fruit. Vernacular Names——This is the common “ Spotted Gum” of Victoria (the common “Spotted Gum” of New South Wales is EF. maculata), and. the “ Mountain Gum” of New South Wales. F. FT, pl. 120. EUCALYPTUS ACMENIOIDES, Schauer. (White Mahogany.) 6h 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 specifie 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 Z. rostrata. It is much esteemed by wheelwrights, particu- larly for spokes, for ship and boat building, for railw ay sleepers, and when 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 iroubark, with the advantage of its not being so weighty ; the taller mountain variety, with smoother bark, is more used for planks, 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 #. globulus. Habitat —It is confined to Gippsland (Victoria) and New South Wales. New South Wales.—With us, E. gonicalyn 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 (#. hemiphloia), 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 with the “Yellow Box” or “ Yellow Jacket” (H. 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.’”—Catheart and Tantawanglo Mountain (H. Deane and J. H. Maiden).. “Ribbon Gum.”—Candelo (A. Rudder); Cooma District (W. Hutchin- son); Twofold Bay (Lockhart Morton). “ Grey Guna? *—Benaridra (J. S. Allan); West Dapto (R. H. Cambage) ; Braidwood (J. 8. Allan). “Yellow Gum.”—Wingello (A. Murphy, J. H. Maiden, J. L. Boorman) ; Hill Top, a few miles north of Mittagong (J. H. Maiden). *E. elacophora, F. v. M. + 94031—C 66 Following is a note on this timber, written by Mr. Forester J. S. Allan in 1892 :— {t is found growing along the coast range, on the eastern and western fall ef the Irish Corner and Sugar Loaf Mountains, within Forest Reserve No. 166, county of St. Vincent. The timber is the best procurable in the Braidwood district, and is used locally for bridge-planking, girders, dray-shafts, poles, and for house-building ; grows on high elevations in open forest country, usually sound. When the heartwood is cut out it is a durable timber, fine grained, and free from gum-veins. I know several culverts that have 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 Gum” of the coast districts. But there is an easily worked timber known as Ribbon Gum ‘(Lucalyptus Gunnii), the timber of which is worthless. It resembles the other in colour, and has been very often substituted for ‘“ Mountain Gum.” The true Mountain Gun, LH. goniocalyr, 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 i— Six feet in diameter, up to 80 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 passed 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 (#. Muelleriana) and White Stringybark (EF. 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 usual, 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 Tawson to Bowenfels; but never continues right up on to the tableland proper. Besides the valleys, it is often found on the taluses of the hills. (R. H. Cambage and J.H.M.). EXPLANATION OF PLATE 19, A. Juvenile leaves. b. Flowering twig. : c. Fruits, showing angularity (from Blue Mountains). Eucalyptus Sieberiana, F.v.M. Yowurt or Mountain Asn. Botanical Name.—Sieberiana, 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., pl. 19. i 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 * Blackbutt,” but that 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. Howitt said it was also known in South-eastern New South Wales as “ Silver-top ” nd “ Bastard Ironbark.” Bark.—In young trees the bark often somewhat resembles “ Stringybark ” when viewed from a little distance. Hence the tree has been sometimes called Stringybark, 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. My. W. Bacuerlen, 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 Yemainder as an ink or marking to strike their lines in squaring timber. For this purpose they simply mix the black substance, left after charring, with 2 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 wings; in striking, the sub- stance does not “ fly” off the line, as they say is the case when they use the bark of the Red Ironbark, or any of the other Gums. The bark of the Red Ironbark (sidcrorylon), they say, leaves a more gritty or harsh substance after charring, which does not answer their purpose. Timber.—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” (IHawarra). “Willow or White Top” (Berrima). Height, 50-120 feet. Diameter, 24-48 inches. Much valued for rough purposes in districts where the better sorts of timber are not produced. This species usually occupies rough, rocky sites, und seems to form a link between the division of Ironbarks and that of the Gums. With very dark-coloured, rugged outer bark on the trunk, and smooth white bark on the branches. Timber very hard, tough, and durable, much prized for poles and shafts of drays. (Macarthur, London Exhibition, 1862.) Used for waggon-rails, shafts, poles, and other work connected with carriage- : building. (F. R. Marriott, Mudgee.) Used by wheelwrights for spokes and naves of wheels. (Cencral Repart, Sydney Evh., 1879.) Mr. 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 alk 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- Jand, consists chiefly of LH. Nicberiana, E. capitellata, BE. obliqua, EL. amygda- lina, and E. vininalis. The first of these, BE. Sicberiana, is by far the best; it lasts many years. (Tisdall, Proc. R.S. Victoria, 1887, p. 43.) 68 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 large 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. R. 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 coryinbosa. Habitat—Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. In New South Wales chiefly in the coastal districts and coast ranges, at least as far north ag the eastern slopes of New England. ’ The species loves high, rocky, stony mountain ranges on poor barren ed and never takes to eas id localities. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 128. i A. Juvenile leaves. , B. Flowering twig. . Flower buds. c p. Back and front views of anthers. g. Fruits. Eucalyptus obliqua, L’ Hérit. Tue Broap-Leavep MerssMAteE. 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 L’Héritier 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 H. obliqua 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 species 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 F. capitellata, it is particularly observable. it *This is undoubtedly exaggerated. F. FI, pl. 128. ae TK \ SUK EUCALYPTUS SIEBERIANA, F.v.M. (Mountain Ash. 69° 3 Vernacular Names.—lIt is usually known as “ Stringybark” in Tasmania and 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 White Stringybark,” all in use in New England, New South Walese 7 ; Bark.—Rough-barked to the ends oF the branches; the bark of the trunk sand 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, goarse, 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; EH. obliqua has the reputation. Tt 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, be 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 deal of second-class sawn timber in the market. (Mueller, in Cat. Tech. Mus., Melbourne. ) q 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 Bulletin, 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 waggon buildifg, wheel-work, and agricultural machinery, as well as for the framing of railway carriages and trucks. It is also a valuable wood for the stronger description of building constructions, 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 official report says: ‘ Stringybark can be obtained in patches all over Tasmania, but is most abundant in the south; like the Blue Gum (&. globulus) 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 nature 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:—Guni-top Stringy- bark, Brown and White Stringybark (the brown being the older growth)- The White Stringybark makes good palings and shingles. Another official report says: Eucalyptus obliqua (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 variety 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- inaking material is not likely to have any commercial importance, what- ever future may lie before the timber in this direction. The following account of EF. obliqua timber is taken from Mr. A. O. Green’s pamphlet on “ Tasmanian Timbers” (1902). It and the Blue Gum (2. 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 (Z. ylobulus), growing. over large tracts of poor, hilly eountry. They attain to an immense 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 difficult matter for most people 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 subject 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. When polished it very much resembles oak, but bas 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 this wood and the Blue Gum, properly 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 English oak and ash used for this purpose, which are every year becoming scarcer. In an International Exhibition a Stringybark sleeper was shown, by the Tasmanian Government, that had been twenty-five years under traffic. The usual life of this timber, in bridges, is from twenty to twenty-five years; sleepers uverage 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.—lIt 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 Missionary Backhouse there are some measurements of large « This may be go, but I like particulars of all trees whose measurements are reported to approach 300 feet. vel stringybark trees (Hucalyptus obliqua) on the Emu River. I content myself with quoting three. The first was 45 feet in circumference, 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. Habitat.—It is found in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. New Soutm Wats. 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 ZL. gonicalyx and other species on the Irish Corner Mountain, Reidsdale, Sugarloaf Mountain, and around Monga, both on the eastern and western fall of those mountains. The trees arc 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 AYarrowitch) it is associated with FE. viminalis. Howitt makes the statement, as regards Gippsland, that “it appears to be essentially a littoral form, but ascends the mountains, &e.” The first part 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 trecs with us. On the Tantawanglo Mountain it grows abundantly, in company with “ Cut-tail” and other Eucalypts, at a height of about 3,000 feet above the sea. At Reidsdale it occurs at an elevation of from 2,000 to 2,500 feet, and in New England nearly 4,000 feet, Southern.—Tantawanglo Mountain (H. Deane and J.H.M.) ; “ Messmate,” Candelo (A. Rudder) ; “ Tororago” (? Tarago), Twofold Bay, 8.E. Australia, No. 266, 8. Mossman. In Herb. Cant. ex herb. Lemann. Doubtless Tarago, vid Braidwood, on an old route to Twofold Bay. ; “ Woolly-topped Messmate,” Irish Corner Mountain, Reidsdale, Sugarloaf Mountain, and around Monga (Forester J. 8. Allan). “ Broad-leaf 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. Murphy), 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 country, consisting mainly of a smooth-barked Eucalypt (viminalis), and a rough- barked one (obliqua). The discovery of the latter species in this part of the State was quite unexpected, 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.8., of Walcha) stated that this belt of country extended for 30 miles in a general direction of north and south, 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 q2 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 6 x 5 inches. (Maiden, 1898.) Upper Williams River (A. Rudder). x 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 (#. obliqua) is abundant here. In this 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; such 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 seer trees that you could not run into 7-foot posts even if struck 6 inches thick. I split a tree of this species $5 feet in length of barrel by 2 feet in diameter; it flowered here last season in January, the trees being great masses of bloom,. very 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 specimen collected by Leichhardt, 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.c., 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 specimens,—near Yarrowitch, New Bngland.] a T. hy pl. Oo. EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA, L’Herit. (The Broad-leaved Messmate.) 18 Pale Boxes. 1. Eucalyptus hemiphloia (White or Grey Box). i 2. Eucalyptus Bosistoana (South Coast Box). 3. Lucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box). 4, Hucalyptus populifolia (Bimble Box). Eucalyptus hemiphloia, F.v.M. Tue WHITE or Grey Box. Botanical Name.—Hemiphloia, from two Greek words—hemi, half, and phloia, bark—half-barked. Vernacular Names.—lIt 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-grained, duller-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, &e. Synonym.—Some of the synonyms of this species are referred to below. I recognise two varieties, viz.:— 1. var. albens, F.v.M. The large-fruited glaucous (whitish) form. JH. albens, Miq. The name of £. albens arose only from a misprint of EF. pallens, and was first promulgated without any diagnosis (Eucalyptographia under #. hemiphloia). E. pallens, F.v.M., non DC., is a synonym. 9. 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 Agricultural 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 Z. 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 “pox” bark. The branches are smooth, with a little ribbony bark at the junction of the fibrous and smooth portion. : : 14 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, &¢e., 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- earriage 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. JI 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 New South Wales mainly developed in a longitudinal strip of country on the western slope of the Dividing Range. Roughly, the western boundary would run through Corowa, Wagga Wagga, Temora, 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 Creck, Macpherson Range (W. Dunn) is an additional northern locality. 1 1 EXPLANATION OF PLATE 22. Flowering twig of the typical form. Fruits. Lucalyptus Bosistoana, F.v.M. Bosisto’s Box. Botanical Name.—Bosistoana. in honor of the late Joseph Bosisto, M.L.A., of Richmond, Melbourne, a pioneer of the Eucalyptus oi] industry. Vernaculur 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 and saw-millers.” (A. W. Howitt, speaking of Gippsland.) ‘“ Yellow Box” of the County of Cumberland, N.S.W. (see this page and also p. 76). “Rastard 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 of which the true Yellow Box (melliodora) is one of the parents. Timber.— E. Bosistoana.—This tree has in many respects a superficial resemblance to ©, metliodora, with which it was for a long time locally confounded in Gipps- Mande ss a le F, Fee ZB —| EUCALYPTUS HEMIPHLOIA, F.v.M. (The White or Grey Box.) v6) The difference between E. Bosistoana and H. melliodora was long apparent to me, from a careful comparison of the trees growing in the Mitchell River district, and especially from distinctions which have been apparent to the timber men there. The wood of this Bucalypt is much browner in colour than that of EH. melliodora, and while the timber of the latter can very rarely be Split into posts or rails, that of the former, although it is difficult to split “on the quarter,” is, when once the log is opened, “backed off” with great easc. The principal differences upon which a rapid diagnosis may be made lie in the greatly superior height of £. Bosistoana, in its freer growth, the rhytiphloious (fibrous) bark, the smooth upper portion of the stem and limbs, and the some- what larger fruit, with a narrow, compressed rim, aud more deeply sunk orifice. Finally the outer stamens are all provided with fertile anthers, while those of E. melliodora are anan’ +r ns. The timber of this tree «3 anost durable, and is one of the most serviceable of the Eucalypts of Victocia, especially for work which is exposed to damp.— (A. W. Howitt.) In the above passage, where #. Bosistoana occurs, there is EZ. odorata in the original, as Mueller made that species very comprehensive, and after- wards carved H. Bosistoana out of it. Mr. Howitt subsequently wrote to me: “ The greatest care should be taken to preserve this timber, for the reason that where works of construction require great durability and strength combined with length of material, there is no Victorian Eucalypt to compare with this.” “Red Box abounds in this district, and I am assured by persons who are competent 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, N.S.W., part of a pile nineteen years in the ground. It is quite sound, but has split badly. The following notes concerning the same timber I obtained verbally from Mr. 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 he has worked that of Hill Top, Orange, &e. Tt will be observed that all these witnesses uniformly speak most highly of this timber. Tt is a brown timber, drying paler. It is hard, and without gum veins. The tree has good clean stems and smooth branches. Size—This 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 Soutu WA gs. “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 76 “Red Box” (J. S. Allen), both in the Moruya district ; Lower Araluen (J.H1.M.); Milton; also “ Yellow Box,” West Dapto (R. H. iCambage) ;. “ 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). 1 EXPLANATION OF PLATE 160. . Juvenile leaf. . Twig, in bud, Bankstown and Cabramatta, a few miles south of Sydney. Buds, from Cabramatta. . Anther, from Cabramatta. Fruit, from Cabramatta. . Unripe fruit, showing rim, from Wingello. . Fruit with exserted valves, from Bega, N.S.W. b> AHA Eucalyptus melliodora, A. Cunn. Tue 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 5.000 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.) Frutt—The fruits are smal] 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 EZ. sideroxylon under similar circumstances. The fruit of the former species is, of course, much smaller. Bark.—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 FH. Bosistoana, another “ Yellow Box,” but a knife or axe will settle the question at once, the inner bark of #. Bosistoana being white. In most parts of the country it has a sub-fibrous or “box” bark on the trunk 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, Fi., pl. 160. (Bosisto’s Box.) EUCALYPTUS BOSISTOANA, F.v.M. 17 ribbony, more like a cross between EH. tereticornis and a Box than a true Box (Merriwa Creek). Many 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. Limber.—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 spokén 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 long 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 H. hemiphloia, Grey Box.—(W. Dunn,. Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range.) Yellow Box, H. 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 (hemiphloia), 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 New South Wales: It is found from south to north, in the mountainous country and tablelands, far away into the Riverina, and into country very dry,. though: not the driest,., * 78 and away north-east and north to New England, even to Tenterfield. While T have not collected it in Queensland, I should be surprised if it does not grow in the country around Stanthorpe and the drier country to the west. i! our country friends desire to assist scientific investigations, I would point out to them that of the vast majority of our plants we do not know the range, so that if they were to send twigs (or in the case of small plants, whole plants) our knowledge would rapidly increase. The Yellow Box likes good soil. a In the Kanimbla Valley; also in a paddock on Jack White's Creek, half a mile from Hassan’s Walls. It is, of course, common on 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.) f ' 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- pherson Range.) Propagation.—F rom seed, which is readily procurable. A few trees that I planted during the winter of 1895 are now (1902) begin- ming to bloom. When planted they were mere twigs, and were removed into -the holes in a spadeful of soil taken with them.—(J. Brogan.) This is a highly ornamental and shade tree, usually of a drooping habit. “Tt stands a fair amount of cold, while 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. “ EXPLANATION OF PLATE 35. a. Young or sucker leaves. 4 Twig, with buds and flowers. c. Fruits. (All the above from a specimen from Rocky Hall, Eden to Bombala.—J.H.M.) . Fruits (from Wagga Wagga.—J.H.M.). w o Eucalyptus populifolia, Hook. Tur Bimeie Box. Botanical Namc.—Populifolia, from two Latin words—populus (poplar), ‘and folia (leaves). ; “Vernacular Name.—It is commonly known as Bimbil (derived from the aboriginal name); the spelling used to be Bembil; Bibble is a corruption of it. ae Sometimes. the names “ Poplar-leaved Box,” “Glossy or Shiny-leaved. Box” are used. It is also called “ Round-leaved Box” and “ White Box,” and Mr. R. EH. Cambage quotes the name “ Minty Box” as having been given to him west of Wyalong, but he did not sce the trees. Perhaps some of my readers might say if they have ever heard of the name as applied to this tree. ‘Aboriginal Names.—‘ Bembil” is an aboriginal name, from which the / common vernacular name has sprung. F. Fl, pl. 35. = a = ~.wYz ij LAF ee Hic LEZ gee “ WY Ci ZZ —— wun | Z OSS i Fa exe A i; EUCALYPTUS MELLIODORA, A. Cunn. (The Yellow Box.) F. Fl.,pl. 176. EUCALYPTUS POPULIFOLIA, Hook. F (The Bimble Box.) 79 Leaves—tIn 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 ‘sometimes not, and at the present time we cannot reconcile the two state- ments. All rae we can certainly say is that the leaves are not edible as a rule. See page 2 Timber—tThe 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, and a useless, dwarfish tree; not one tree in a hundred fit for anything. There is scarcely a Bimbil box in my district that has not been ringbarked. The 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 W arrii. Speaking of the Lower Lachlan: “The timber is very hard and durable, and, like the gum, is difficult to split. Water is obtained from its roots. Although not very plentiful, it is widely distributed.” (Kk. H. Bennett in ltt.) 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. CG. 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, withy 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. Tt 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 in’ western New South Wales, western and northern Queensland, approaching the Gulf of Carpentaria, but it has not been recorded from ‘the Northern _ Territory yet. 2 xt EXPLANATION OF PLATE 176. A. Juvenile leaf frony Bogan Gate, N.S.W. Bs. Powering twig from Mt. Boppy, N.S.W. c. Narrow-leaved form from Coolabah, N.S.W. p. Fruits from Coolabah, N.S.W. 80 7 Myrtles. . Angophora lanceolata (Smooth Barked Apple). . Tristania conferta (Brush Box). . Melaleuca leucadendron (Broad-leaved Tea-tree). Syncarpia laurifolia (Turpentine). moo bo Angophora lanceolata, Cav. Tur Sx00TH-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 Eucalypts. 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 (Pucalopius 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 ‘Eucalypts 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- Tglated. “ Cormybose ” section of the genus Hucalyptus. Tenahans —As might have been Semadicd with such a free yielder of kino, the timber of ‘this tree is liable to gum-veins; in fact, it is difficult to gct a ; piece of any size from them. avertheless 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, whieh 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 jn any way in the case of the tree. F Fl. pl. 43. Ny 7 (Smooth-barked Apple.) ANGOPHORA LANCEOLATA, Cav. 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 the 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 disiniek, "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 Pharnincapeea. 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 18 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 Rockhanypton 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. Myr. Forest Guard W. Dunn records it from the highlands between Acacia Creek and Wilson’s Downfall. ; ~ This tree is usually considered a sign of Kee: 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 observed 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—(@) Stamens, (b) Petal, (c) Sepal, (d) Stigma. . Flower looked at from below—(a) Calyx, (b) Petal, (c) Stamens. Vertical section through the flower—(a) Calyx, (b) Stamens, (ce) Stigma, (d) Ovary. Cluster of fruits. Vertical section through the fruit. Transverse section through the fruit. aw seo 82 Tristania conferta, R.Br. Tue Brusu Box. | Botanical Name.—Tristania, after M. Tristan, a French botanist. Don (probably following Sir. J. E. Smith) has a fanciful derivation from tha Greek, treis, stao, signifying to stand in threes, in allusion to a supposed disposition of the flowers and leaves. Conferta, from the Latin, denoting “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.—Lophostemon arborescens, 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 chajracteristices are toughness, strength, and durable 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 some 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 faif 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 play. Tt is one of the timbers most obnoxious to white ants. It is pale-coloured, usually brownish or pinkish, and turning greyish on exposure. 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, &e. It is extensively used in the North Coast districts for wheelwrights* work, Following are specitic reports upon it:— One of the most valuable timbers in the colony on account of its durability + it igs averred on credible authority that instances are known of this timber remaining perfectly sound after being nearly thirty years worked up as ribs of vessels. . Used for seantling, flooring-beards, &&.—(NV.SAV. Catal, London ah., 1862.) . fs 83 I would suggest it as worth trying for large wood type-making and Similar 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 the saw-mill, in moist ground (and for months swampy), in use for four years, and 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 4 inch wear. The other. bearing of cast-iron, which has been renewed twice in twelve months, also shows ¢ inch wear.” ‘’Serub Box has lately, come much 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 lasting (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.— (Mr. Forester Rudder, Booral.) : A further report by Mr. Rudder, published in the Agricultural Gazette, says :— I cam recollect this timber in the earlier days, over fifty years ago, as the ehosen of all others by a firm of shipbuilders of the names of Malcome, New- ton, and Ferrier, who used it for ships’ planking. It becomes pale when dry, and in texture is fine and close in the grain, and is usually inlocked, 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 pullock-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 placed 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. Unfortunately, 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, which. has been down for twenty-seven years, and is still in excellent order. I believe this timber will be found of value for carving 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 short 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. Tt wouldsappear 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 9th September, 1903 :— About 1890, I had a large contract for the Melbourne Harbour Trust. The 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. Pullen, 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 weather-- 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 I 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 or sanitary grounds is an undesirable element in street: formation. An‘ objection to Australian hardwoods in street-blocking is their density and greasiness im 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 respect. Reporting on wood-paving in the Glasgow 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 years. 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 adopted 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 paving purposes, and that an expert from this State was badly wanted to “convince and convert” as to the superiority of New South Wales timbers over all others hitherto experimented upon. I carried back with me a sample 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.) Bark.—The tree has brown deciduous sub-fibrous bark on the butt, with smooth branches. Jt 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 Northern 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 watercourses, and in gullies near and about Murwillumbah. This is one of the most plentiful timbers we have in the brush forests here. ~—(Mr. Forester MacDonald, Kempsey. ) Queensland—-Sandy Cape and Keppel Bay, mouths of the Burdekin River, Rockhampton, Edgecumbe Bay to the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay, &. (B.FI.) 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.). sg 40 to 50 feet. (Mr. Forester Green, Casino.) Generally about 3 to 4 feet in diameter, exceptionally up to 7 or 8 feet; height up to 120 or 180 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.”. coe _“ A tree was measured with a girth of 29 feet at 3 feet from the ground. It was growing 1,800 to 2,000 feet above sea-level on Bulga Mountain, head. of Ellenborough River.” (George S. Hill, Bungay, Wingham, 27th Novem- + qt ED et ber, 1906.) 2 : me eh cag, AN, es 86 “The trees grow to an average height of 120 fect, with an average diameter of 2 feet 6 inches.” (Mz. Forester Pope, Murwillumbah.) “TFleight 150 feet, diameter 3 feet.” (Mr. Forester MacDonald, Kemp- sey.) I saw trees of this size also in the Bellinger River district. Propagation.—F rom seed. It is one'of the best shade-trees of New South Wales, is evergreen, with rich glossy leaves, white feathery-looking flowers, and fruits 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. Jt 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. _b. Front view of fully expanded flower, showing staminal bundles. c. Vertical section of ovary, with sty le and stigma (petals removed). py. Transverse section of ovary. Eg. Top view of fruit. Melaleuca leucadendron, L. Tue Broap-LeaAveD TWA-TREE. Botanical Name.—Melaleuca, from two Greck 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. Leucadendron, also from two Greek words, leulos, white, and dendron, a tree, hence “ White tree” from its general appearance. Jn 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 ig usually known by the name “ Broad-leaved Tea-tree.” It is known also s “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 licard that it is called “ Milkwood ” in the Northern Territory. Aboriginal Names Numbah” of the aborigines of the southern part of New South Wales, according. to the late Sir Wiliam Macarthur. I would 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 Numba is generally spelt with a final double “q7—* Numbaa,” and is most certainly ap aboriginal word; I have often discussed this very name with old settlers, who are more or less acquainted with the carly naming of this district, but no two agree. F.FI., pt. 17. (Brush Box.) TRISTANIA CONFERTA. R.Br. 87 Numba has little or no sandy soil, but out “ Warri Warri’—(this word, I always think, is wrongly spelt, more likely a final “a” instead of “i”3 ““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, I find sand and the ‘Tea-trées, It may be, of course, that the township was named Numba after the trees, although Numba trees may not be on the exact site of the township. It is “ Belbowrie,” or “ Belbourie,” of the county of Gloucester, as far ag 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. Bark.—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. (See Queensland Agricultural Journal, also Cape Agricultural Journal, 11th and 25th January, 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.” —(R. Tt. Baker, in Golf Illustrated, 28th July, 1905.) “Belbourie,” or Broadleaf Tea-tree, makes excellent flooring and lining boards, wears well under cover and keeps white appearance; crooks made out of the roots very much used in building wooden vessels; grows to 7 or 8 feet girth, bark also in layers similar to White Prickly Tea-tree. Both.kinds practically white-ant resistant.”—(Forest Guard McKinnon, Gulgong.) The timber splits fairly well, and is largely used for firewvod at Ballina, Richmond River, N.S.W.—(J.H.M.) Tea-tree (Jfelaleuca leucadendron, var. lancifolia).—A fairly large tree having a white spongy bark, in very thin paper-like layers. There are numerous 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. Used for piles and underground work (without removal of bark) ; and, when thus completely buried in the ground for drainage purposes, 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—(Catal. Quecnsland 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. Habitat—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. 788 EXPLANATION OF PLATE 15. A. Outside view of the flower opened out—(@) Calyx, (0) Petals, (c) Stamens. s. Inside view of the flower opened out. d. Pistil. : One staminal bundle with a petal. Stamens. Pistil. . Ovary, showing convex summit. . Vertical section of ovary. . Horizontal section of ovary. 1. Fruiting spike. eH Ase Syncarpia laurifolia, Ten. Tur TURPENTINE-TREE. Botanical Name.—Syncarpia, indirectly from two Greek words, sun, together, and karpos, 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. ne ial 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.” _ Bark.—The bark is of a flaky, fibrous character, and often of a consider- able 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 put to any useful purpose, with the exception, an important one, of a covering to the logs. Timber.—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 ‘Rudder says:—“TI 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. ph 1d. MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON, L. (Broad-leaved Tea-tree.) §: 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 tests, 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. stated 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. Myr. 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 pillars, girders, &c.,.in buildings it usually only chars, and is. in consequence easily extinguished—a very uséful property in buildings. I was informed that, in a very large fire in Sydney, surprise was expressed that the building was not gutted, for the wooden girders and joists were put to a very severe test. It was 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 negative 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 Legislative 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. SuMMaRY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. To the lst Question,—Does the true turpentine resist the attacks of cobra when used in piles, 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 more active in attacking turpentine in tidal waters, where salt and fresh water mix, than in pure salt water. To the 2nd 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 frequently 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 red turpentine. There is also a brush turpentine, whose botanical name is Rhodamnia trinerria, 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 jnducement to timber-getters to do so. To the 8rd Question,—Have any other timbers been substituted for tur'pen- 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 s0, as turpentime is very plentiful in the coast districts. We recommend,— (a) That in pure salt water, in special instances where it is known 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. (v) That where turpentine piles are specified to be with the bark on, the condition showld be rigorously enforced, piles found to show 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 sap is down, and the bark closely adheres to the log. (d) That in unpolluted tidal waters, turpentine piles be protected by metal sheathing. Speaking more generally, and taking into consideration the fact that turpen- tine is not absolutely resistant to cobra, and the very great expense the Depart- ment of Public Works is annually put to in replacing cobra-infested timber, we recommend that for the future the use of turpentine timber, either with or without bark, or in squared or sawn sizes, when placed in any position in which cobra is known to be active, should be discontinued in the public works of this colony, unless it is absolutely protected throughout its entire face and ends by copper or some other equally satisfactory protective covering. We would recommend the sheathing of turpentine piles, without any excep- tion whatever, if the question of expense did not stand in the way, and the only exceptions we recommend are those of piles on the coast and in parts of Sydney Harbour, as already stated. The cost of coppering piles, or rather the increase of the practice of copper- ing piles, will at once claim attention; but we would observe that the expense of the piles themselves is not the only consideration. If they are eaten through, the superstructure may have to be replaced, perhaps at a cost many times exceeding that of the piles 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 pile 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 hardwood 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 the drain on ironbark for this particular work will be very largely reduced. We desire to encourage the use of turpentine for piles, but subject to all the precautions we have indicated, 94 \ Commenting on this Report, Mr. C. W. Darley, late Engineer 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 portion which. from long experience and observation, I must remain at issue with your conclusions. I refer to your conclusions set forth in clause V that the bark will afford protection to the piles. I had in my old office a bag full of samples of, bark and wood cut from turpentine piles under water, showing the worm-holes passing through the bark and into the timber (sap-wood only)—indeed some samples rather indicated that they had a weak- ness for the bark-covered portions. It may be that where the bark is closely adherent they pass through, but when at all loose they do not. I have never yet met with a case when Teredo sinking in one piece of wood has passed out into an adjoining piece even though in close contact—for instance, I have seen dozens of defective planks removed from punts, and never detected a worm passing from the bad one to those adjoining or to the planks inside. In 3-inch planking the caulking would perhaps only go half-way as shown in rough sketch,* having 14-inch 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 such a joint, while if it is closely adherent the worm may pass as shown by the samples I had in my possession, now all lost I fear. I never troubled about the bark being kept on after the piles were brought oo to the ground and passed. I looked to the bark as one of the means for identify- ing the timber only, and I have never yet seen any difference in life between those driven with or without bark. All are equally liable to be damaged as far as the sap-wood goes. When deciding to use sheathed piles I would never think of using turpen- tine, as they invariably run much larger in the girth at the butt for (say) a 40-foot pile than ironbark, as a rule, indeed, quite 50 per cent. larger. So when sheathing is paid for at 1s. 6d. per super. foot, the extra price of the timber is soon covered by the saving in sheathing. REPORT ON THE DURABILITY OF UNSHEATHED TURPENTINE PILES FOR WHARF CONSTRUCTION. During the past three years, while demolishing a number of old wharves in Sydney Harbour to make room for improvements necessitated by the growth of the trade of the port, we have had ample opportunity of ascertaining the value of turpentine piles for wharf construction. Nearly all the old private wharves in Darling Harbour were built of unsheathed turpentine piles of from 8 inches to 12 inches in diameter. Though the exact dates of erection are not obtainable, it is well known that many of them have been standing from thirty to forty years. They were usually of light construction, having been 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 years more. Naturally some of the piles drawn were found to be entirely crippled, but an examination showed that these 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 Point, which, from outside indications, appeared to’ be amongst the most damaged of the piles, usually about low- water mark. In three instances, while the sapwood has disappeared, having been destroyed by Limnoria terebrans, the timber itself is as sound as the day it went into place.’ Only one of the three sections has any teredo holes, and that not more than ten small ones, which would not materially weaken the ple. 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 80 per cent. of the old turpentine piles, which we have drawn recently after a service varying up to forty 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-Chief. W. H. ADAMS, Sydney Harbour Trust, Assistant Bngineer. 28th November, 1904. Ezxudation—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. The resin will exude, forming a ring between the wood and the bark, and may be scraped off 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 80 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 New 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 hy 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. IT have scen some experiments on pollarding the turpentine. The trees were cut in the month of May, and F. Fl., pl. 3. SYNCARPIA LAURIFOLIA, 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 remove it, the experiment ae have indicated might be made. . EXPLANATION OF PLATE 3, A. View of individual flower, seen from above—(a) Petal, (0) Sepal (calyx-lobe). B. Flower seen from below—(a) Petal, (b) Sepal. c. Flower with stamens removed—(@) Bract. p. Stamen. E. Pistil. y. Transverse section of ovary. g@. Cluster of fruits. é Hu. Longitudinal section of a head of fruits. oH Wattles (Aqsa, DRY COUNTRY WATTLES. a. Flowers in heads. . Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall). | No od . Acacia homalophylla (Yarran). . Acacia Cambaget (Gidgee). . Acacia harpophylla (Brigalow). ctu mR oO . Acacia salicina (Cooba), b. Flowers in spikes. 6. Acacia aneura (Mulga). 7. Acacia Cunminghamu (Bastard Myall). Acacia pendula, A. Cunn. Tus Weepine Myatt. : 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 “ Weeping Myall.”” In the Riverina it is often called “ Boree” (a name it shares with at least one other Acacia). From Grenfell I have received 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. Aboriginal 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 more about this name, 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. H. Bennett. It bears this name also in the Balranald, Wagga Wagga, Barmed- man, and Grenfell districts. Leaves (Phyllodia).—That this is a useful fodder tree is wiquestionable, 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. 95 Mr. R. W. Peacock writes of it:—Myall is rapidly becoming exterminated 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 pendulous habit give it rather an attractive appear- ance. Limber—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 peculiar fragrance of violets. which does not occur in greater perfection in any other tree. As soon as this remarkable property became known to European manufacturers the 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 16th March, 1894, appeared an announcement 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 districis in which it occurs. We have a number of intensely hard, heavy, dark-coloured wocds, which smell more or less of violets. They are used chiefly for turnery work. The trees attain no great size (say 30 feet), with a trunk-diameter of 12 to 18 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 most 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. Sitze—Up to 20 or 30 feet, with a diameter of, say, a foot. Habitat—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, near Mudgee, and Narrabri. Records 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 leng ago pointed out. In the following passage he is referring to our tree :— The Acacia brushes grow generally on a hard and clayey 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 from the low ranges with which they are generally circumscribed. 96 Propagation.—In some seasons it produces large quantities of pods, and the germination of the seed is attended with 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. . Flowering branch. Bud. . Flower. . Portion of expanded flower showing—(a) Calyx, (b) Petal, (c) Stamens, (ad) Pistil, (e) Stigma. E. Pods. F. Seed (enlarged). The flowers from Coolabah, N.S.W. The fruits from Miss Officer, Zara, vid Hay. SaAWp Acacia homalophylia, A. Cunn. THe YARRAN. Botanical Name—Homalophylla, from two Greck words—omales (omalos), even, level, referring to the smoothness, and perhaps also to the general uniformity of the phyllodes in this species; phullon (phyllon), 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 betaveen ‘‘ Curly Yarran” and “Yarran,” 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 Yarran. Ist, 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. Kidston to which he referred, and would point 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 ig 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. Fa Fly. ple 61s ACACIA PENDULA, A. Cunn. (The Weeping Myall.) OF WHat 1s “ NARRAN?” # Narran is an edible scrub somewhat resembling Brigalow, but is. more desir: able as fodder. It grows mostly in the 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 bad been 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. Theri the well-known explorer, Mr. Ernest Favenc, wrote an article in the Sydney Morning Herald of the 25th August, 1906, in which the following passage occurs :— : , The next scrub we find mentioned as a hindrance to travel is between the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee, where the “ thick Eucalyptus scrub” turned Oxley back in disappointment and disgust. Oxley afterwards met with clumps of Myall scrub, when north of the Macquarie, of which he at first speaks rather 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 he 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 corrected. I wrote to Mr. Hunt, of Burdenda, Dandaloo, at My. Favence’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- penetrable 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. also wrote to a Queensland friend, but without result. Now, I have occasionally, though very rarely, heard the name Narran used both in New South Wales and Queensland, but my efforts to trace this Wattle hare never met with success. I venture to ask your readers if they can send me a Ginch 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 deceive an ordinary layman, but never a bushman. Hence Narran + 94031—D 98 is undoubtedly meant for Yarran. There are many bushes (scrub) for which 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 Frederick. ) Referring to the*paragraph “ What is Narran?’ It must be Yarran that is meant, but in some parts the blacks 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 Sir T. L. Mitchell in 1846. Narran Swamp is situated 26 miles beyond the River Darling; the Narran River terminates in this extensive swamp; it joins the river Balonne 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. eo Geographical Dictionary ; or Gazetteer of the Australian Colonies, ” by W. ‘Wells, Sydney, 1848.) If we 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 the 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.—‘ Wong-arrah” is an aboriginal name at Cloncurry, Northern 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 Cambagez) (see p. 99), these two species being often confused with dried specimens only. Leaves——There is considerable difference in the width of young and mature leaves (phyllodes) in this species. Cattle eat the foliage. Fyuit—This is one of the Wattles of which the blacks used to eat the seeds, ‘Bark.—A specimen of this bark gave the following result :—Tannic acid, 9-06 per cent., and extract 21-51 per cent. It was from an old tree full of fiakes, and, could be pulled to pieces with the fingers. A dry-country bark, but hardly a fair specimen of that. Timber—One of the best firewoods of the west. Timber hard, and of a wiolet odour. This dark-brown wood is much sought after for turners’ work on account of its solidity and fragrance. Jt is well adapted to cabinet- making purposes, and stock-whip 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 jthe 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 thicker than a man’s finger, being very tough and free in the grain. (EH. Palmer.) Exudations—E. Palmer says the gum is gathered and eaten from this free on the Cloncurry, Queensland. It is also used for adhesive purposes in New South Wales. Size—As a rule it is a small or medium-sized tree, often gnatled. Speaking of the Lachlan district, Mr. Forester Kidston stated :—* Yarran F. Fl, pl. 133. ACACIA HOMALOPHYLLA, A. Cunn, (Yarran.) 99 cannot be called ‘timber,’ as not over one in 5,000 could be got 6 feet long, 6 inches in diameter, and straight.” At the same time the Yarran, in some districts, exhibits a better trunk than that. Habitat—It is a dry-country species, confined to New 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 :— Wanganella, near Hay; Ivanhoe, vid Hay; Wyalong; “A spreading tree 20-25 feet, stems 6-12 inches diameter, plentiful all over the Lachlan district,” Murrumbidgee; 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. 4 EXPLANATION OF PLATE 133. . Young foliage (note its comparatively great width). . Flowering branch. . Flower-head. . Individual bud and bract. . Flower. : . Flower opened out, showing—-(a@) Calyx, (0) Corolla, (c)} Stamens, (d) Pistil. Gc. Pods. These smaller constricted pods are from Gunbar (W. Baeuerlen). H. This pod is the normal form. 1. Seed. Natural size. Hap ok b Acacia Cambagei, R. T. Baker. TuE GIDGEE. Botanical Name.—Cambaget, in honour of Richard Hind Cambage, Under Secretary for Mines, New South Wales, an enthusiastic botanist. Vernacular Names.—The aboriginal name “ Gidgee” is in almost wuni- versal use. The smell of the tree is abominable, and just before rain almost unbear- able, and on this sign people frequently foretell the approach of rain. I have heard of instances in which men who were employed in cutting down a tree of this species Just before rain became so sick as to be compelled to leave the tree. Aboriginal Name.—< Gidgee.” Of this word there are various spellings, uch as “ Gidgea,” “ Gidgi,” “ Gidgy,” “ Gidia,” “Gidya.” Originally spelt Gidgea,” which is nearer to the aboriginal pronunciation, but the universal ronunciation now is “ Gidgee.” 160 Leaves.—Its evil-smelling foliage renders it of little or no value to the stock-owner, except perhaps for camel-feed. There is another Queensland Gidgee (Acacia Georgine, 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 interlocked, 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 4 saponin. 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. R. 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; Western Queensland; also the northern areas of South Australia. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 121. Flowering branch. Flower-head. Individual bud. Flower. Flower, opened out, showing—(@) Calyx, (0) Corolla, (c) Stamens, (d) Pistil. 4 F. Pod. | ¢. One valve of a pod showing seeds. ByaNp Acacia harpoahylla, F.v.M. Tue Bricatow. Botanical Name.—Uarpophylla, from two Greek words (h)arpe, a scimitar, and phu(y)llon, leaf, in allusion to the curved, scimitar-shaped leaves. Vernacular Name.—The common “ Brigalow,” so called because it for the scrubs of that name; the meaning of the word is unknown. * Tt is a thoroughly well recognised vernacular name, but because I imagi it is of aboriginal origin, a note will be found under “ Aboriginal Names.” F. Fi, pl. 121. ACACIA CAMBAGEI, R. T. Baker. (Gidgee.) 101 Aboriginal Names—The common: “ Brigalow.” The word was spelt “ Brigaloe” by Gould, and “ Bricklow” by Leichhardt. The latter stated he could not ascertain the meaning 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. excelsa, but 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 other 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 bo a gives a very fine effect. (C. J. McMaster, Chairman, Western Lands oard. 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 aJl over the north of Queensland, both on the coastal and inland waters, and extends west beynd the boundary of the colony until it is supplanted by the mulga. It is generally, but not always, 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 ‘tbe 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 fn 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 young 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 before 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 observation. (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, ‘Enngonia, 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 Timber.—Brown, hard, heavy, and elastic; used by the natives for spears, poomerangs, and clubs. The wood splits freely, and is used for fancy iurnery. Saplings used as stakes in vineyards have lasted twenty years or more. It is used for rough building purposes. A fairly large tree, with rough bark, somewhat resembling that of Ironbark. Leaves curved and tapering, having a silvery hue. Wood dark-brown, and also of a grey colour, fragrant, close-grained, and bends well. The timber is very heavy and dense, resembling Myall (.lcacia pendula; see p. 96), but without the pronounced scent peculiar to that timber. It is different 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.) Ezudation—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, New 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 most southerly locality recorded). New South Wales localities not previously specifically enumerated are Tarcoon, Bourke District, Nyngan, Dubbo, plains near Baradine, Warrah, Willow-tree, Scone, Moree, Warialda. The trees attain a height of 20 to 80 feet, according to Mr. Cambage, and cover about 5 acres, 34 miles west of Marsden. Half a mile from Scone, on the Gundy Road, 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 Brigalow extending from about 20 or 30 miles north of Moree far into Queensland.” ‘ EXPLANATION OF PLATE 128. . Flowering branch. Natural size. . Mower-head. . Young flower. . Flower, opened out, showing—(@) Calyx, (0b) Corolla, (c) Stamens, (d@) Pistil. E. Pod (natural size) opened, showing seeds inside. ¥. Seed. ; The fruits from Ellerslie; the remainder of specimens from Pilliga. saw b> nis pl. 129. EF: (Brigalow.) ACACIA HARPOPHYLLA, F.v.M. 103 Acacia salicina, Lindl. Tue Coopa (ann Umpretia Busy). “ Botanical Name.—Salicina, Latin, salix, salicis, a Willow, and hence willow-like,” but this name is most applicable to the variety varians. | Vernacular Name—“ Umbrella Bush.” There are three more or less distinct forms of this species :— (a) The normal form, which may be termed a big Umbrella Bush. (b) Var. varians, Benth., a fair-sized tree. (ce) Var. Wayw, Maiden, Proc. Roy. Soc. S.A., xxxii, 277 (1908), a small Umbrella Bush, belonging to South Australia so far as is known at present. (a) Normal Form. The type was collected 30th March, 1836, near Oxley and G. W. Evans’ marked tree on the Lachlan, New South Wales. Aboriginal 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.—This 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. Frwit—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 Lachlan, and thence to the Barrier Range, A. Cunningham, Mitchell, Victorian Expedition, &c.; 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). (b) Variety varians, Benth. ‘This is a tree, and the only form which yields timber. Vernacular 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 Bogan, New South Wales (A. W. Mullen). Aboriginal Names.—Mitchell calls it “Goobang,” perhaps really the same as “ Cooba,” the modern name. About the Castlereagh River (New South 104 Wales) it is one of the trees which takes the name of “ Motherumba.” “Bremeu” is the name at the Lake Hindmarsh aboriginal station (Vic- toria). “ Bakka’” is a Queensland aboriginal name. “ Balkura” is a South Australian name. : Leaves—tThe 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 smalk lagoons, and Mr. Hill says that the natives of the Fitzroy River, Queens- land, put-it to a like purpose. A sample from the Lachlan 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 15-1 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 furniture from it. (Generul Report, Sydney International Exhibition, 1879.) It is valued for bullock-yokes in western New South Wales, and also for shafts of carts. Mr. G. S. Home tells me that cheffoniers, and other articles of drawing-room furniture, are commonly made from it im, western New South Wales, as it takes such a high polish. Eumupg (Acacia salicina). This acacia is found in the interior of New South Wales. It is similar in colour and texture to Blackwood (Acacia melanorylon) and makes a good club, although inclined to chip and fray. (R. T. Baker.) Acacia stenophylla is also called “ Kumung” 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 (Lachlan River) is Acacia salicina, Lindl. (Cooba or Native W: illow). It has a diameter up to 2 feet, and is a most useful timber, 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 35-40 feet, and is the largest and handsomest of our Acacias; is usually regarded as an indication of water at a shallow depth; wood remarkably light and tough. Ivanhoe, vid Hay (K. H. Bennett). Palesthan, vid Condobolin ( Miss M. A. Clements) ; Lake Cudgellico (J. L. Boorman); “Cooba.” The most irestern limit in this part of the Central Division is 26 miles cast of Nyngan (E. F. Rogers, Forest Guard, Nyngan) ; Marra Creek, vii 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, Bogan 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 trees, rather erect. No. 1,648 (R. HW. Cambaze). F. Fl, pl. 149. ACACIA SALICINA, Lindl., Var. VARIANS. (The Gooba.) 105: “Drooping foliage. Grows on ridge as well as in valley; some leaves rather viscid. Attunga, 12 miles uorth-west of ‘Tamworth. No. 686” (R. H. Cambage); Warialda, No. 11 (Rev. H. M. R. Rupp). EXPLANATION OF PLATE 149. Acacia salicina, Lindl, ; var. variuns, Benth. . Flowering twig. Pod. Portion of valve showing seed with folded funicle. Seed - (slightly magnified) with funicle extended. Broad phyllode from Coolabah. . Flower-head. . Individual bud. .Plower. ~: £. Flower, opened out, showing—(c) Caiyx. (b) Corolla, (e) Stamens, (d@) Pistil. : Homa AE > Acacia aneura, F.v.M. Tar Motca. Botanical Name.—Aneura, from two Greek words—a, not, and neuron, a nerve—in allusion to the veins or nerves of the leaves (phylodes), “ with- out conspicuous nerves, but finely and obscurely striate under a lens.” Vernacular Name —“ Mulga,” the chief ingredient of Mulga scrub, so ealled 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 Brough Smyth, Aboriginals of Victoria, i, 293.) “Malka” of certain Lake Eyre tribes (Howitt and Siebert). Leaves.—The leaves, or, rather, phyllodia—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 once 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 own 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 eaten 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 they 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 serub-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 busby 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 fodder 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 rivers, 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. Asa 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 Jong 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 New 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 tha thirsty traveller. General Remarks on Mulga. Mr. C. J. McMaster, Chairman of the Western Lands Board, has very 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 different kinds of Mulga in the Bourke district. Umbrella Jiulga—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. Bvoad-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 J/ulga: 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 15 to 20 feet. Yellow Jfulga 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 it.” 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 cnes) are cat off for the benefit of the starving stock. ‘In former years Mulgas have been destroyed on thousands of acres of land, because the precaution to leave at Jeast one leading branch uncut was not observed; but now that stock-owners realise that stock and rabbits eagerly devour young plants, and that, consequently, the supply of Mulga—the mainstay in times of drought—depends upon the proper treatment of the existing matured trees, they, as a tule exercise the utmost care to conserve the trees as much fs possible. } If Mulga is cut off nage the stump it will not throw out new growth. In this respect it differs from nearly every other Western fodder-producing tree. F. Fi.. pl. 99. ACACIA ANEURA, F.v.M. (Mulga and Narrow-leaved Mulga.) 107 Seeds.—The sceds were eaten by blacks, and continue to form part of ‘thc 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 boomerangs, sticks to lift edible roots, shafts of spears, nulla-nullas, and jagged spear-ends (Mueller). It is highly irritating in flesh wounds. It makes 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. “Tn the absence of other timber, Mulga is now one of the principal trees burut for charcoal near Cobar.” (Cambage.) Ezudation—The Mulga yields a small quantity of soluble gum, similar in properties 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. Habitat—Western Australia, through the other .mainland States to Queensland. It is a native of the drier western parts of New South Wales. Its precise eastern boundaries are not yet defined. Localities and collectors of some New South Wales specimens in the National Herbarium, Sydney, are:— Broken Hill (A. C. Loder) ;.Paldrumatta Bore and Mount Browne (P. Corbett) ; 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 (R. W. Peacock); Nyngan (E. F. Rogers). “Up to a height of 25 feet. Wood very hard, and used greatly by natives for weapons, &c. Capable of high polish.”’—Ivanhoe, vid Hay (K. H. Bennett). EXPLANATION OF PLATE 99. . Flowering twig of the broad-leaved form. . Spike of flower-buds. . Individual bud. . Flower. . Flower, opened out, showing—(a). Calyx, (0) Corolla, (c) Stamens, (d) Pistil. Seed, attached to the pod by a white arillus. Pods. . Flowering twig of the narrow-leaved form. Foowp> WS a Acacia Cunninghamii, Hook. + Tuer “Bastarp Myauu”™ or “ KurracaBau.” 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 being the discovery of the Darling Downs, Queensland. Vernacular Name.—It is sometimes known as “Bastard Myall,”’ and less frequently as “ Black Wattle.” Aboriginal Names.—At Narrabri, New South Wales, it bears the name of “ Jurracabah.” I am not certain whether the name is exclusively held by this species. It is also called by the name “ Motherumbah” (of which a 108 “ Motherumbung” is a variant), but I have received at least two other wattles under that name. “ Kowarkull” is a Queensland aboriginal name (Stradbroke Island, Watkins), and “ Tchilgar” is the Bundaberg (Queens- land) name, according to Keys, quoted by Bailey. _Prutt.—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 8 per cent. of saponin in the unripe pods, and gives an instance of supposed sandy blight in a woodeutter, 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. Bark—A specimen of this bark received from Dr. T. L. Bancroft, of Brisbane, and obtained from Deception Bay, gave 1232 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 sealy, of dark-brown ‘colour; the thickness of the bark analysed averaged 4 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 Red 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 Ib. 12 oz. per cubic foot. Exudations—Dyr. 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, with 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 good idea of its range in this State:— Myrtle Creek, Richmond River; Woodburn, Richmond River, Evans River, 30-40 feet, Lawrence to Casino, Hastings River; 6-10 feet, “ Kurracabah ” or “ Motherumba,” Narrabri; Owen’s Gap, Scone; Goulburn River; Denman; Sackville Reach, Hawkesbury River. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 1387. A. Flowering twig. : . Flower bud, . Flower, Flower, opened out, showing—(a) Calyx, (0) Corolla, (c) Stamens, (¢) Pistil, . Pod. Seed. Saw Lomct F. Fl., pl. 137. ACACIA CUNNINGHAMII, Hook. (Bastard Myall or Kurracabah.) 109 EASTERN NEW SOUTH WALES WATTLES. - Acacia pycnantha (Broad-leaved or Tanning Wattle). . Acacia penninervis (Mountain Hickory). . Acacia melanozxylon (Blackwood). . Acacia binervata (Two-veined Hickory). . Acacia decurrens (Black, Green, and Silver Wattle). . Acacia Baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle). DraeP wp Ht Acacia pycnantha, Benth. THE Broap-LEAveD WATTLE. roe ' Botanical Name.—Pycnantha, from two Greek words, pyknos, 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, &.” (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 avy other time. (Evidence of Mr. Bosisto before Victorian Royal Commission on vegetable- products. ) Bark—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. F. Pflaum & Co., of Blumberg, South Australia, with the note, “contains 83:5 per cent. of tannin, according to Mr. Thomas, of Adelaide.” I analysed the sample in April, 1890, and obtained the following extraordinary result by Léwenthal’s improved process—the process I always adopted, viz. :— i Tannic acid .. .. He .. 46-47 per cent. Extract =i re Pen .. 4-7 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 110 smooth, a model of compactness, contained a minimum of fibre, and therefore powdered splendidly, was of good colour, and an excellent bark in every way. South Australia had practically the monopoly of this bark, and it is a grand 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- wal and from the south-east coast. We look upon this species as so essen- tially South Australian that we often forget that the type comes from “Tnterior of N.S. Wales” (Mitchell). ‘This Wattle has been acclimatised, in many districts of New South Wales, so much so that it is often looked upon as indigenous in localities in which at 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 Range near Adelaide. The day is past when theorists may allege that it will not flourish in the Port Jackson district. : T 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 decurrens, 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 Jargely in districts found suitable for it, and his general remarks on iWattle cultivation were chiefly written with this species in view. Except in very dry localities, this species is common to nearly all districts ef South Australia north of Encounter Bay, and is occasionally to be met with along the coast from Kingston to the Glenelg River. Its principal habitat, however, and the one where the thoroughly typical botanical form and the Jargest trees of the species are found, is in the Adelaide hills and plains, from Encounter Bay to Clare. For propagation purposes seed should, if possible, be 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, as the tree is of slow growth, and does not attain payable dimensions. (J. EB. Brown. Reports.) Baron von Mueller (Select Hxtra-Tropical, Plants) says :— Tt is of rapid growth, content with almost any soil, but is generally found in 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 tnedenits rainfall. Tt, therefore, will not usually flourish at elevations over 2,000 feet. Propagation.—Readily from. seed. Mr. G. 8. Perrin summarises the advantages of this species over A. decurrens 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, and is much beter stripped. \\ ewe S ~ WL NK Gress — 2 Acacia penninervis, Sieb. THE Mountain 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,” ¢.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 which are known as Hickory in different places are Acacia binervata (another oft the Black Wattles), and even the Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) and: the 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 reason 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 very variable species, but it may be usually known by means ‘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 Bark.—The greater amount of wattle-bark used by 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 from 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 unportance to our State, T 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, stripped 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 29-03 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 And. | Timber.—This wood does not appear to have come into general use; 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 Rood, 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 fect), with a diameter up to 18 inches. Trees a foot in diameter ave 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 24 fect, while trees of a diameter of 18 inches +o 24 inches are not scarce in the locality. Habitat—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 River (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 :— Shrubs of 3°and 4 feet—Foot of Big Jack Mountain, Bombala district; “Black Wattle,” Weddin, Grenfell, and county of Ashburnham generally. Rylstone district; Cow Flat, 11 miles south of Bathurst; Parkes Water Supply; Bushrangers’ Rocks, Eugowra; Wellington; Minore, Dubbo; Har- vey Range. Tamworth; Tingha; Moona Plains, Walcha; Howell, Warialda, and Em- maville. 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, ever 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 abundant 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 particulars of such localities in a little more detail. Tt is found from the Clyde and Bateman’s Bay district, all along the coast land, right down south to the boundary of Victoria. Nelligen, Moruya, 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 some 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 Sovutu Wats. Southern Localities—Thredbo River and Mount Kosciusko up to 5,500 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; Rylstone district and Bylong Creek; sometimes called “Tanning Gum” in Bathurst district. The phyllodes are looked upon as “gum leaves.” Northern Localities——Near 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 using 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 IToldings 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. falcz- formis, by Bentham; Guy Fawkes and Round Mountain. Forming dense belts of a serubby 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 faleate, but rather small at the highest elevations. Tenterfield to Sandy Flat. ‘Mr. R. T. Baker gives the following localities:—Murrumbo; Bylong’ Creek; Gulf Road; Church Mount, Reed Creek, Rylstone, all in the Rylstone district. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 91. Acacia penninervis, Sieb. A. Flowering spray from type. Bb. Flowering branch, Rylstone district. c. Ripe pods. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 92, Acacia penninervis, Sieb. var. falciformis, Benth. (The Tanning form of the species.) A. Twig, from the Blue Mountains. B. Flower-head. c. Flower-bud. pv. Flower. : E ¥F %. Flower opened out, showing. *, Pod. F. Fl, pl. 91. | 4 yy oe UY Ss ACACIA PENNINERVIS, Sieb., (The Mountain Hickory.) ACACIA PENNINERVIS, Sieb., and Var. FALCIFORMIS, Benth. (The Mountain Hickory.) 115 Acacia mefanoxylon, R.Br. Tre Buackwoon. Botanical Name.—M elanoxylon; this is from two Greek words signifying “black wood,” and Robert Brown, the botanist, who adopted this designa- tion, simply translated the commonly accepted Australian name. Vernacular Names.—lIt 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 explgnation is, however, untenable. The Blackwood has rather a wide sapwood, up to 4 inches, and this is very light in colour,—almost 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 Blackwood which has grown rapidly has often timber paler in colour, and more poreus 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 displayed 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’s knife was made of hoop-iron, and no one seemed able to imitate 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 Tasmania 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 generally known, at the present day, in New England and lower plateaux. Bark—tThe 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.” This 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 11:12 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 T16 organs, pianofortes (sound-boards and agtions), 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 from 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 Walnut, and it is taken for that timber when polished. It would last indefinitely in dry situations. It is really 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 coufined to outward appearance, for their properties appear much the same, hence a knowledge of the many uses 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 js: 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, cliiefly 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—tThis 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. Still, 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 off 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. From 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. Biauerlen 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 i8 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. North of Port Jackson I have it from Gentleman’s Halt, Hawkesbury River (A. Murphy). The Mudgerabah as a Shelter Tree—The traveller in New 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 Snowy 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 esthetic 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 symmetrical 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 PLATE 57 A. Flowering branch. Bp. An individual bud removed from a head of flowers. c. Individual expanded flower, show Sepal, (0) Petal, (c) Stamens. p. Portion of flower, opened out—(a@) Sepal, (b) Tetal, (¢) Stamens, (7) Pistil. br. Ripe pod. ¥. Seed, with funicle partly encircling it in double folds. Gc. Phyllode with pinnate true leaves. ACACIA MELANOXYLON, R.Br. (The Blackwood.) 119 Acacia binervata, DC. Tue Two-vEINep Hickory. : Botanical Name.—Binervata (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 every person can bear it in mind. ; Vernacular Names.—lIn 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. Bark.—It yields a valuable bark; specimens from Cambewarra, N.S.W., yielded me up to 58-03 per cent. of extract, and 30:04 per cent. of tannic acid. The colour of this sample was dark brown; the inner bark warm 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, 1888, 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 tannic 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 120 intense, than California, Red Pine. The specimens seen by the author have no figure. Three slabs of this wood in the Technological Museum, which hhave been seasoned over twenty-five years (having been exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862), have weights which correspon to 50 lb. 8 oz., 51 lb. 4 0z., and 56 Ib. 11 oz. respectively per cubic foot. Exudations—Like many other Wattles, it exudes a crude gum arabic. Size-—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 ‘be 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 oceurs as far south as Mount Dromedary, but it appears to attain its greatest luxuriance in the Illawarra. North of Port J ackson’ it ‘is less plentiful, becoming more and more scarce to southern Queensland. Going 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 soi]. For example, it grows the most luxurian'tly of all wattles in the Centennial Park, Sydney, a place of sand, with much ferruginous hardpan. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 95. Flowering branch. Flower-head. Individual bud. Flower. Flower, opened out, showing—(a@) Calyx, (b) Corolla, (¢) “Stamens, (d) Pistil. Pod, Stroud district. Pods,. Moruya district. . Seed, Moruya. Spon yes Acacia decurrens, Willd. AND ITS VARIETIES. Tue Acacta Decurrens Grour or WatTTLes. Brack, GREEN, AND SILveR WATTLES. The well-known feathery-leaved Wattle, familiar to most people in the eastern and southern States—by whom it is chiefly known by one of two names, viz., Black or Green Wattle—was first botanically described by the botanist 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. (Lb) Var. mollis, Lindl. (A. mollissima, Willd.). (c) Var. pauciglandulosa, F.v.M. (d) Var. Leichhardti, Benth. (A. Arundelliana, Bailey.) (e) Var. dealbata, F.v.M. (A. dealbata, Link.) ; (f) Var. lanigera, Maiden. F. Fi., pre ACAGIA BINERVATA, DC. (Two-veined Hickory.) 121 ‘Mr. C. T. Musson writes in the Hawkesbury Agricultural College Journat for 1904 -— Another colour 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. Tts function is not obvious, and I draw attention to it since it is one of the innumerable 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 special 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 wattle and the South Australian A. pyenantha will 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 require 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 wage 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 too 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, &e. Cultural Notes—The following notes are, as a rule, directly based upon observation with the mollis variety of Acacia decurrens, but aré 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 hig experience in regard to this variety, which may be useful for the guidance of others in similar localities :— I have about 5 or 6 acres of mollissima. 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 jast 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 Acacia 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 succcessful in rainy, rather cold districts. Major’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 Dee BB gy ane DA Gy, Do rs ere eee ae) Cas 4yearsold ...1 ... 20 ,, .. 24 ,, Do Beet. det UB gy caayan 220 cas Qyearsold...1 .. 15 4, «. LM ,, 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 experimented 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 open 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 80 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 reached 100 Ib. 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, 1s. 6d.), which has been written for growers, bark-strippers, merchants, tanners, and naturalists. , 123 T give a list of contents of the work :— PART I, Demand and supply of bark. Tue TREE AND ITS BARK. Wattle-bark in Natal. (a) Pruning and thinning. — What New South Wales may do. (b) Time of year for stripping. (c) How to strip. 7 (d) Age and size of trees. THE Solr. (e) To increase bulk of bark. (a) General considerations. c : ee in Haase 3 g tying of bark. (D) Preparation of the land. (h) Grading of bark. (c) Moisture. (4) Export, packing, &c. : Objections to Wattlegrowing con- (k) Adulterations or substitu- sidered. tions. PROFITS AND LOSS AND MINOR Tue Serb. INDUSTRIES. (a) Commerce in Wattle Seed. Profits to he derived from Wattle (b) Quantity of seed required to ° cultivation. the acre : Detailed estimates, ; ie Extracts. (c) Preparation of seed for ger- echnical education in leather and mination. tanning materials. (d) The Bamboo method of tree- Wattle galls. planting. Wattle gums. Broadcast F Wattles as drugs. (e) Broadcast sowing. Wattle blossom. Addendum. Brief bibliography of Wattle-barks. PART II. The best New South Wales Wattle- barks. Acacia bincrvata, DC. Acacia clata, A. Cunn. Acacia decurrens group of Wattles. Acacia leiophylla, Benth. (intro- Acacia pycnantha, Benth. duced). Acacia penninervis, Sieb, 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 sequence. Notes on the, species of New South Wales Acacias, arranged in al- phabetical order. Vernacular names. Index. Botanical Name.-~Decurrens, 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. Vernacular Names.—The 1. Variety normalis, Bentham. “Black Wattle” of the Sydney district. (N.B.—Australians are not always unanimous 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 (Macarthur). 124 Leaves — F. Pod. Gg. One valve of pod, showing seeds. wm. Seed, showing the funicle (the thread-like body attaching the seed : s to the back of the pod.) F. Fl, pl. 117. S We Ab (Cootamundra Wattle.) ACACIA BAILEYANA, F.v.M. 185 The Cedar Group. 1. Cedrela australis (Red Cedar). Dysoxylum (Dysoxylon) Fraseranum (Rosewood). bo 3. Dysoxylum (Dysoxylon) Muelleri (Red Bean). 4. Owenia cepiodora (Onion Wood). 5. Melia Azedarach (White Cedar). Cedreda australis, F.v.M. Tur Rep Cepar. 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). Vernacular Name.—Universally 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 idéntical with C. Toona, Roxb., the Toon of India. It should be observed, however, that Baron Mueller differs from Bentham in considering the Australia» ‘ Cedar” specifically distinct from the “ Toon.” In any case the trees are so closely related that any property possessed by one is share * , the other. Casimir de Candolle agrees with Mueller in keeping our 1.1: Cedar distinct from due Indian tree. Frutt.—tThe fruit is an oval capsule, about 1 inc). jcng, which soon opens and sheds its light, membranous seeds. Mr. Gamble -ays that those of the Indian tree run about 1,200 to the ounce. These sec. have always a remu- nerative value, but care should be taken to collect +. lly-ripe seeds from healthy, mature trees. The seeds should be kept d| and preserved from insect pests, to which they are very liable. The colle:. on of seeds of useful and ornamental Australian plants is one of those minor industries which are usually neglected, and I will always assist collectors in making them drue to name. Bark.—The outer bark is scaly, and in drying falls off, leaving an almost smooth surface of reddish-brown colour. It is moderately fibrous, arid will 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 universal use. It is equal to mahogany, to.which it bears a good deal of , 186 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 buildings 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 special 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 that 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 the 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 the softest cedar. It is used for railway keys. Fresh uses are constantly being found for this valuable timber. i : Stze—-A middle-sized to a very large tree, varying in height up to 200 feet, and with a trunk diameter up to 10 feet, though exceptional trees have: exceeded these large dimensions. The size of the average trees now vielding 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, 1898, 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 am even larger tree. He writes :— This half flitech of cedar avas cut from a tree which grew on Mr. IT. Sauer’s selection in Mulla Creek, 45 miles from Kempsey. and was cut from the trunk 56 feet from the stump. This tree was measured, after being felled, by Messrs. 0. O. Dangar and W. Nance, and found to contain 80.000 feet of sound cedar; 137 the first limb grew 60 feet from the ground. ‘The timber in this tree would be worth £800 in the flitch on the Kempsey Wharf. This flitch weighed 6 tons, and was drawn to Green Hills by Mr. Henry Davis, and exhibited by Mr. Robert Campbell, of Warneton. Heinrich Sauer told me two years later that the top of the stump was about 10 feet from the ground, and that plenty of good cedar was cut 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 splt when touching the ground.—(Robert Kaleski, Dorrigo.) The following note is taken from the Sydney Morning Herald of 25th ‘October, 1861. While a big loz—the biggest 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, Sussex- 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 14,359 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 inches in length, and 22 feet 4 inches in circumference; the third, 7 feet in length, and 21 feet 9 inches in circumference; the fourth, 9 feet in length, and 4 feet square. Wach piece weighs from 5 to 6 tons. It appears that the tree was cut down about 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 shipped with great difficulty, owing to the absence of proper mechanical appliances. Habitat—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 Illawarra northwards, in the Shoalhayen gullies, Bulli Mountain, Kowmung, and thence northwards in increasing abundance until the northern rivers are 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 brush. This species had most to do! with first taking settlers to Milton and Ulladulla, 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 ig 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 Narrabri, 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 grow.” This is just north of the Upper Manning River. 188 The following list of New South Wales Timber Reserves containing Red Cedar is furnished by the Forest Department :— County. | Reserve. | Remarks. ‘ GIAEKE ss csteoveanoues 1,662) | Matured and young cedar, mostly in gorges, in all Fae) “baaiseningnina.vaewl 29,433 stages of growth. Biller ce siionctanet 4 | Large quantities, matured and young. x» and Drake... 1,120 | Small quantities, in very rough place. » and Clive ... 24,267 | Scattered matured and young in the ravines, 33,219 | Small quantity, young. 158) | A fairly large amount of matured cedar in patches im 3,753 rough country ; good growth of young timber. > 6,369 ) a 8 9,999 | 11,452 {| yg ities of both dand a 71,453 t oderate quantities of both matured and young cedar. 22,413 27,774} . 354 19,418 20,687 1,608 | | On some of these reserves there isa fairly large amount 6,670 of matured cedar in patches ; also, a large quantity 6,479 | of young growth, well distributed. In most 1,433 t instances the matured cedar is located in rough i | and broken gullies or gorges ; large quantities are 14,641 now to be found in the watershed of the Macleay 34,088 aud Nambucea Rivers. 34,089 34,090 34,091 ie haf caeraereasiasie | iseer Contains matured and young cedar. a ae Contains matured and young cedar, in small quantities, 33.199 in very rough localities. Sandon .... 4,768 | Scattered cedar, mostly young. 7 Propagation—Red Cedar grows most vigorously in the rich, moist, alluvial flats and sloping ground of our Northern Coast districts, particularly so on the banks of creeks on the eastern slopes of the ranges, where 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 8 to 5 fect 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 must 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. The roots ure surface-feeders, so that it ought not to be grown on the edges of fields.’ These remarks refer to the Indian tree. but they largely apply to vur red cedar also, 139 Seeds are rarely produced on cedar trees growing in dense forests; but trees, if planted in rich and moderately moist soil in open places, will annually produce seed 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 a considerable period, Mr. Forester Brown, of Port Macquarie, relates, on the authority of Mr. Donkin, that some land at Kimbriki, Manning River, wax cleared. No cedar was then on it, no cedar trees near. There had been no Hoods for years previously, yet twelve months afterwards numbers of young eedars 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 eultivation. for that reason, apart from its value for timber, The following particulars in regard to the cultivation and conservation: of Red Cedar are of publie 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 Red Cedar. A few thousand well-planted and well-tended cedars would be a valuable legacy. Spasmodiec attempts have been made to reafforest the Red Cedar in this State. The Forest Department planted some on the Dorrigo, but the plantations were neglected. Greater success has attended the small plauta- 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 Hawke, has the nucleus of a vood eedar plantation. He has not gone to much expense in the matter; but has 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 practically all the attention given is to keep one’s eye on them during an occasional walk in the brush. 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 souree. 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 inexpensive 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 up under natural conditions; the brush land near creeks is often not utiliscd 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 planting: (as distinct from forest conservation) is usually planting for posterity. What militates against plantations, as ordinarily carried out, is the heavy initial expenditure—cxpensive 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 season. 140 Mr. Breckenridge’s site is by no means partoctly 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 a fine growth of cedar in considerable quantity, but it would require more than twenty or thirty years to mature it for market. Re the growing of our Red Cedar, I have seen it in many places thriving well in the open, where the soil was suitable. There were two on 4 property in which I had an interest on the Macleay, where they were under 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. (The late Mr. Augustus Rudder.) EXPLANATION OF PLATE 9. ‘ a. Flower—(a) Calyx, (b) Petal, (c) Stamen, (d) Stigma, (¢) Ovary half immersed in disk, (f) Pubescent disk. B. Young flower. c. Stamen, back and front view. p. Capsule opening in five valves. leaving the dissepiments attached to the persistent axis—(a) Valve, (b) Dessepiment, (c) Seed. rg. Winged seeds. r. Cluster of fruits. Dysoxylum (Dysoxylon) Fraseranum, Benth. THE Rosrwoop. Botanical Name.—Dysoxylon, from two Greek words—dysodes or dysosmos (fetid or ill-smelling), and aylon (wood), in allusion to the bad smell (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 22-3 inches (W. Dunn, referring to living trees on the Macpherson Range). Flowers-—Mr. Dunn states it flowers in the late auturan; later than Red Cedar. The flowers have a very agreeable smell. Fruit.— Of a pretty rosy red” when quite ripe. Bark.—Often rather scaly; somewhat like Red Ccdar. Timber—Characteristics: Of a reddish colour, and has a neat figure. Has a fragrant rose-odour. A timber of the mahogany class. ‘Works splendidly, shrinks little, and is of good appearance. F.FI., pl 9. “141 Speaking of a Queensland specimen sent to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, Mr. Allen Ransome says :— _ This wood is of a reddish colour, with a good figure. It worked excellently iu the machines, and planes especially well. If it can be imported at a reason- able price it might take 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 woodgreminds 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 atiy colour, but the perfume is sweet. Under the axe it is a fairly hard timber. Straight in grain, heavy, and beautifully coloured red in centre, the thin sap-wood, being pale yellow; the bark is slightly rough. Mr. Yabsley, of the Coraki saw-mills, says that Rosewood 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 brush forests, with large ‘trees growing all sround. them, and which have evidently come to maturity since the trees fell, probably before the British settlement of Australia. Settlers often use 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 work 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 recommended for wine-casks. It will split, and I am assured it imparts no taste to wine. For boards for ballroom floors it is excellent; I prefer it to Tallow-wood.— (W. Dunn.) Mr. Yabsley states that Rosewood can ke 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 deal of attention to the utilisa- tion of our uative products during thirty years and more. Mr. Bawden gays :— ; With regard to wine-casks, and the proper wood for the purpose, I think you will find Rosewood 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 be at once selected Rosewood, as giving no taste of a deleterious character to the wine. He has tried Silky,Oak, but 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- wood, 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 who has 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 placed in a bottle of wine for a few months? Should the Rosewood turn out as [ 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 wine-casks will relate their experience, 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 (J). Muellert), which may be described as a scentless ‘Rosewood. Drawhacks to the Timber. . Its Oily Nature —A drawback to this undoubtedly valuable timber is i clreumstance that it takes glue with difficulty, owing, perhaps, to some -eleaginous 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 theedolite was sent in for repairs, supply of some parts. and new ‘cuse, ani Lands Department. New case was made of well-seasoned Colonial Rosewood by Government Architect's Workshop, the new parts of the instru- meut were bronzed and lacquered in the usual way, the other portion of the instrument merely cleaned, and delivered to the Lands Department on 8/2/95. After about three months the whole of the instrument was observed to be sticky, and was subsequently returned to be cleaned off, rebronzed and velacquered, which was done accordingly, and returned to Lands Department on 5/7/08. Then again, it was reported to be sticky on the 28/805, becoming &imilar to what it was before. .A small box was made of a piece of the same esood, and a piece of brass tube bronzed and lacquered was placed in it on 30/8/05, and after about three months it was found to be quite sticky. A similar thing has happened to another 5-inch theodolite, for which a new vase was made of Colonial Rosewood for the Public Works Department on 14/3/05, and after lying in store was noticed to be the same on 1/5/06 (original iacquer affected). Also on a parellel ruler that was placed in a Colonial Rosewood case. Rosewood belongs to a group of plants called the Meliacex, 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 -en any cool surface, preferably on metal or other conductor of heat. King George IIT had a valuable watch which caused his watchmaker a good 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 auvare, it has not yet received. Meantime, so far as Rosewood is concerned, instruments should be kept in Red Cedar boxes. 143 2. Tis alleged Special Tendency to Shakiness.—Mr. Robert Kaleski, who formerly resided on the Dorrigo, wrote to me some years ago :— Rosewood grows about 120 to 160 feet, about 12 feet girth, sometimes round in barrel, sometimes very spurry; clean barrel like rest of serub timbers. 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 years in the ground. Never loses scent; goes for 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 spurs and works upwards. Generally grows in clumps like Cedar. Belt runs from W. to N.S.: large quantity at N.E. to Paddy’s Plain. Is at present being cut tor Germany for the mills. Very pretty figuring, woolly to work, grain too short for building stuff. Farrly durable in weather; fair amount available. Fras red seed (fruit, J. H. M.) something like a small cherry. Out of 100,000 feet standing, which I bought on speculation. I could only find 30,000 to fall, and 40 per cent. of that proved to be faulty when down, some apparently sound trees splitting in halves, when hitting the ground, from end to end. Its drawing weight is 300 feet to a ton. Very liable to develup- suakes after being sawn a few weeks. Tree always unsound if dead branches on top. My own selection contained more Rosewood than any one I know of on the Dorrigo. . This is an exact copy. In 1893 I wrote, after a careful inspection of the: Dorrigo:— Rosewood.—.\ fine tree 5 feet 6 inches in diameter and 140 feet to the first branch was seen, but although the northern portion of the Dorrigo is full of Kosewood (merchantable), say +.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 large 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 stated 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 eumber the ground, and are a hindrance and a perplexity to the forester. “In view of Mr. Kaleski’s very strong language, “Faultiest tree for the mill in N.S.W.,” the following passage from the report of Mr. Boorman, 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 qualitics,, as, in addition to size, it is perfectly sound throughout. I want to: get at the truth in regard to our timbers. J 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 heigtl: from 70 to 100 feet, and from 4 to 5 feet in diameter (C. Moore, loc. cif.) Tall and massive trees of 100-140 feet, 20 to 30 feet at base. Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range, N.S.W. (W. Dunn and J. L. Boorman.) 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 the tree grows large in circumference, although not so extra tall. Yesterday I put a measuring tape around twelve of these standing trees. The largest gave a girth of 183 feet, and the smallest 12 feet; the twelve 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 16 feet, works out a return of 115,200 super. feet; this, at 12d. per 100 feet super. (the present royalty rates here on all brush timber other than Pine [Hoop]), amounts to £57 12s. royalty. It will thus be seen that the Rosewood is one of the giants amongst New South Wales forest trees. ' Habitat—This is a “brush” or jungle timber found in northern New South Wales from Wyong (a little north of the Hawkesbury) to southern Queensland. 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 of the 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. No. of Forest Reserve. Area. acres SPRUUIAE phelde adbaemndennes ne iM oscsoatssiues ee aoa oeied 32,1380 21.512. ohgy , 7 ibeteahdaieay shuasiau annua nn sane au sta 35,944 19,3810 3 we ar : 37,004 36,800 i ai ae ai i 38,397 8,500 ‘Drake...... “8 6,264 9,000 gy. Hanoes ak ities 11,111 900 Dudley ... .... “asta 37,568 89,900 BAI stig cts ctssosiat sides theese dee ead etu lenin aaa aha ese 196 10,000 a iets tae aaj ave ravage bata eieecigenee aicein wale eaenty. a caattiaaatn ea 201 22,440 Be ia sen 202 34,465 Fitzroy ... 354 4,800 iy wie ath nies 355 5,760 Bo. treaenh die 642 20,778 Beet, “Casha sieic 19.418 1,098 oy nites ed 20,667 3,380 Gresham ... iat 1,608 24,960 i 68 avai Slate siereiefsaiuls pais jitele lnidinaheele” wieieiaiene ste-gais eBlateretsltauaae 36,928 16,500 Hawes ...... ee 7,974 1,280 PROUS - cin ntanyd andsin cna e aeoaauidanbnauneriasiaiashonmagirren 61 960 hgh) watShavaesbip Vy pia aalerafeiptvatbyolichutoarssonrlata ne aestetata ara roniageh Gin eal y 62 1,820 351 es et ate 256 94 gigs din dla ay biniaa Sigh istnslues Seer stg alseiani area reteadins seam slnnen oman ook 4,353 64,331 Quantity Available.—Practically 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 :— This is perhaps more common than any other species of softwood, save “Pine,” forming huge trees, straight in barrel, producing an enormous amount of good timber, the supply being almost unlimited. 145 The following statement was published in the Press in January, 1905, under the authority of the Minister for Lands :— SUPPLY OF ROSEWOOD IN NEW SOUTH WALES. The Minister for Lands having observed that the Commercial Agent ‘in London had been informed tbat it would take New South Wales twelve months to supply an order for 200,000 feet of Rosewood, Red and Black Bean mixed, and having regard to the fact that 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 has intimated that he will undertake to supply 30,000 feet of Rosewood a month, while another offers to supply 250,000 feet of this timber per annum. One forest officer in the northern district says an order for 200.000 feet of Rosewood could be 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 convered to the Commercial Agent. The following extracts from a report are interesting :— “Referring to your circular letter dated. 26th November. 1904, asking to be furnished with a report on the statement made to the Commercial Agent in London that it would take twelve months to supply an order of 200,000 feet of Rosewood, Black Bean, &¢., I have the honour to report thatthe statement is not correct, as on Forest Reserve No. 82,130, county of Buller, there is an area of 4 miles by 3 densely covered with the best kinds of Rosewood, containing at the very lowest estimate 3,000,000 superficial feet of matured timber. “In the parishes of Gore, Acacia, and Koreela, county of Buller, there is an estimated quantity of matured Rosewood of 9,000,000 superficial feet, and in the parish of Beaury, county of Buller, 3,500,000 superficial, feet, to say nothing of numbers of other parishes all along the EHastern Fall that contain quantities of this timber. “TJ forward an offer from the manager of the Federal Sawmill Company of New South Wales. to deliver, f.o.h., at Brisbane, 250,000 feet per annum, and if any inducement were offered, two further mills could be erected and each supply the same annual output near the Queens- land border at a railway station named Dugandan, in Queensland. “Tn addition to Rosewood, I estimate that 20,000,000 feet of the following matured timbers could be supplied for export purposes at the Queens- 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. “Tt 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 haul 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 superficial 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 cutting Rosewood day and night for years to come. I sincerely trust no allied species will he exported; if so, our trade may get disturbed, and the genuine matcrial 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 especially as Red Cedar is now nearly extinct (in- 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, ic, 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 85. . Flowering branch. 2 pr sies showing—(a) Calyx, (0) Corolla, (¢) Staminal tube, (d) stigma. Gc, Flower opened out, showing-——(a) Corolla, (b) Staminal tube 8 to 10 toothed, («) Tubular disc, (d) Pistil. p. Anther. x. Pistil. ¥F, Fruits. ca. Ripe capsule, showing four deep-orange coloured seeds. yw. Part ral capsule showing seed with arillus and manner of attach- ment. iid Tue Rep Bray. : Dysoxylum (Dysoxylon) Muelleri, Benth. Botanical Name.—Muelleri, in honour of the late Baron von Mueller. Vernacular Names.—lt bears various names, viz., “ Pencil Cedar” and “Turnip Wood,” both given from the smell of the wood. ‘“ Red Bean ” js, 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 the timber of the Black Bean (Cas/anospermum australe) except in colour, which is red, but the name is a little far-fetched. Timber.—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 in Sydney as Cedar or Bastard Cedar, but it is heavier than that wood, and F. Fi, pl. 85. oo SiN eRe > Ri ‘an DYSOXYLON FRASERANUM, Benth. (Rosewood.) Cueeg Pey) “449g '!YATISNW NOTAXOSAG “LOL Id “Id “4 147 -is of sufficient excellence to stand on its own merits. It is good furniture wood, and has a quiet yet handsome figure that looks well under polish. Tt 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. He sent me twigs of D. Muelleri:— “There are many other valuable timbers in the Dorrigo brushes, amongst others the Pencil Cedar, a use for which I learnt, previously unknown tu me: I was shown a pair of old dray wheel naves made of Pencil Cedar. some twenty-five years ago. Hitherto I have thought Appletree was the most suitable timber we had for that purpose, but this piece would serve to show that the Pencil Cedar is equally as good.” ° Locally it is used for cabinet-work, flooring, lining, and ceilings of houses. Habitat.—It is a brush tree belonging to the coastal districts, and probably extending a good deal into the rich brush forests in the upper 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 Queensland. As regards New South Wales, it should be looked for on the Bellinger, Macleay, and Hastings Rivers. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 101. . Leaf reduced in size one half. Leaflet, natural size. . Part of flowering branch. Flower. (N.B.—Staminal tube yellow outside in a fresh state.) Flower, opened out, showing—(a@) Corolla, (b) Staminal tube, (¢) Tubular disc (orange-coloured in fresh state), (d) Pistil. F. Calyx and pistil. «. Anther. H. Fruits. HUORD Owenia cepiodora, F.v.M. Tue Onton Woon. Botanical Name.—Owenia, in honour of the late Sir Richard 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 awatermelons. } \ 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 always present in this species, being replaced by a melon or pumpkin odour. Aboriginal Name—Called “ Ingmunyon” by the aborigines, “Bog Onion Tree” by the 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 “Tngmunyon ” 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. Bacuerlen, 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. p. Flower, the petals (5) removed. showing— (a@) Bracts, (b) Calyx, (ec) Staminal tube, bearing 10 anthers, (@) Petal. . Staminal tube, opened out (outside). . Portion of staminal tube, opened out (inside). . Pistil—(a@) Disc, (b) Ovary, (c) Style, (d@) Stigma. . Transverse section of ovary. . Fruit. . Portion of stem, showing leaf scars. PR ee Melia Azedarach, L. var. australasica, C. DC. Tue Waite Cerpar. _ Botanical Name.—Melia, the Greek name of the Manna Ash (Fraxinus 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. Azadirachta, the common Indian “Neem” tree, but applied by Linnaeus to a closely-related congener. Vernacular Names.—Universally known in Australian as “ White Ceday.’’ In other countries it has other names. In India it is known as “ Persian Lilae,” 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. FL, pl. 115. (Onion Wood.) OWENIA CEPIODORA, F.v. M. 149 Flowers.—It bears a profusion of fragrant lilac-coloured flowers, hence one of its vernacular names. Fruit—On the 22nd October, 1888, the honorary secretary of the Adelong School Board wrote :— Recently a pupil of the Adelong Public School was taken suddenly and seriously ill, apparently having eaten something of a poisonous nature. She stated to her doctor that she ate some berries that grow on the White 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, have been poisoned through eating White Cedar berries. Several other pigs died some months ago from the same cause.—(January, 1906.) At the same time the 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 Garden 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. Mr. Hackett 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.S.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 (Pharmacopeia 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. 8. 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 might rest under the shade of some White Cedars growing there. Some of the pigs lay down to rest, else all might have died: others com- menced feeding on the berries scattered nround under the trees, with the result that twenty-seven were dead next morning when the train arrived in Sydney. The dead pigs belonged to different owners, some to the man in charge, who was wanting in neither experience, forethought, nor intelligence, having shipped 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 and municipalities, unaware of the toxic properties of their berries, may be induced to plant them, and injury result.” (Ayrie. Gaz. N.S.W., Sept., 1596. p. 564.) 2 In connection with the ‘‘ Alleged Poisonous Nature of White Cedar Berries,” we have just received the following letter from Myr. Edward Gibson, of Figtree, near Wollongong :—‘“ I saw a question asked in the last Agricultural Gazette as to whether any of your readers had ever had any pigs poisoned with White Cedar berries. About twelve years ago, when JI 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 a2 lot of White Cedar trees, the seeds of which were lying thick on the vround. When I went to fetch the pigs home. five or six died on the way. 2nd six more died when they came to the house. We did not know at all what was the cause of the mortality at the time, so I opened one of them and found its stomach full of the berries. After that we ringbarked the trees and destroyed all the berries on the ground, with the result that although the pigs were running in the paddock afterwards we never had any mora deaths from that cause.” (laric. Gas. N.NAV., Oct. 1896, p. 662.) Mr. 8. Pegum, of Camperdown Farm, Brownlow Hill, Camden, writing on this subject, says :— “bree small pigs ate some White Cedar berries. They soon after became very ill, unable to stand or move, heart heating feebly, with occasional spas- modic shudderings, apparently in a forward direction: limbs cold, eyes well open, but not fixed or staring. Being of opinion that they were poisoned br the prussic acid contained in the kernels of the berries, for experiment, I took one of the pigs who seemed at the time in crtremis (could not raise a squeals even). and treated him accordingly. viz., put him at once into a warm bath. and as soon as it could be got ready, gave the whites of two eggs beaten uw) and a full teaspoon of baking soda in some warm milk and ginger. Then put him into a sugar bag with a warm brick and left him for the night well covered up, nice and snug, in # warm pice. All this time, if he was not ‘as dead at Julius Cvesar,’ he was quite as unable to stand or moye, being quite passive to all the treatment, which did not take many minutes, neither squeaking nor kicking. T do not know how long it took him, to get well, but in the morning he was quite recovered, and what with the bath, &c., he looked nove the worse for the trouble, being able to run about and eat as usual. The -other two pigs died. Examination showed that they had eaten about 2 small pannikinful of the berries, which were crunched and scarcely at all digested. (lyric, Gaz. NSW, Oct., 1897, pp. 700-1.) : Mr. 1. WI. 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 Mus- wellbrook district. Clarice. Gaz. V.N.IV., 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 are, however, of an inferior kind. The rings in New South Wales specimens are yery distinct, and their markings give the timber a rich, wavy appearance, which is best exhibited in a vertical section. The wood is a pale yellowish-brown, which appears of a rich:warm brown under polish. F. Fl., pl. 96. E MELIA AZEDARACH, L. (White Cedar.) 11 , Following is Indian testimony concerning it:— “ Beddome, Brandis, and Kurz all say it warps and splits, but Mr. Halsey, of Madhopur, writes to say it is equally useful green or seasoned. Our speci- men split only very slightly, and we are inclined to think it is better than it. igs supposed to be. It is handsomely marked, and polishes well. Its weight is from 30 to 38 Ib. per cubic foot.” (Gamble, Manual of Indian Timbers.) Gamble, in his 2nd, Edition, says :— The wood was used at the Imperial Forest School for museum cases and other furniture, and behaved quite well. I trust that through trials of this timber will be made in New South 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. Pahiins. —It is not rare in moist places in northern brush forests, and. in good land in more open forests. It extends from the ‘Tllawarra, New South Wales, along the coast and coast districts to North Australia. lis 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 inland to a considerable distance, being very resistant to drought. I¢ 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. I is so tolerant to bad usage that it gets plenty of it. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 96. A. Portion of leaf, showing leaflets. Bb. Flowering branch. c. Bud, one petal removed to,show staminal tube. b. Staminal tube, opened out. zg. Stamens. a F. Portion of flower, showing—(a) Pistil, (b) Disc. G. Vertical section of ovary. uu. Transverse section of ovary. -K. Fruits (natural size). ' L. Seed. ; m. Transverse section of seed. . 152 The Pines. 1. Araucaria Cunninghamit (Richmond River Pine). 2. Callitris (Cypress Pines). 3. Podocarpus elata (She Pine). Araucaria Cunninghamii, Ait. RicuMonp River or Hoop Pine. Botanical name.—Araucaria, from Araucanos, the name of one of these Pines (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 Gardens, of which he was at one time Superintendent. Vernacular Names.—lIt is almost universally known in the Sydney market as “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 dicecious—that is to say, having the males and females on distinct plants. The male amenta (catkins) are stalkless, cylindrical, very dense, from 2 to 3 inches long, and from 8 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 ends 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. Bark—The bark is brown to black, not thick, and has circular horizontal markings. It peels off horizontally in tough, fibrous flakes. Owing, in some measure 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 under 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 bark as a “hoop” or natural pipe, reminding one of a pipe for water supply. Hence the name “ Hoop Pine” often given to this tree. Timber.—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 Europe for packing-cases and other rough purposes. It is strong and durable when dry, and lasts well for such purposes as punt-bottoms 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 which softwoods are usually put. It is apt to get of a dirty colour with age. Most planks of Colonial Pine show more or less of what may be compared to a bird’s-eye maple figure; in fact, the presence of thesc 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 this character looks really well when made up into bedroom furniture, linen presses, &e. .A piece of Colonial Pine was thus described in the report of the London International Exhi- bition of 1862:—“ 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 when 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 Butter-boxes.—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 Richmond and Clarence River millers to take it to heart. I allude to butter-boxes. An enormous quantity is required 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 the purpose, but some of our northern saw-millers hardly realise that they are allowing a good trade to slip away. Colonial Pine is very light 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 Sotthern States¢hat 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 Queensland 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 with paraffin wax and-single parchment. 154 In December of the same year the Sydney Morning Herald had the follow- ing statement :— The controversy concerning the merits of Queensland Pine for butter- boxes still continues, and no practical progress has 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 test 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 River 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 which 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 recognised. 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 withdrawing samples. The butter was then turned out of the boxes, and again examined very carefully. Hach of the experts detected a slight woody flavour in one box, but it could not be 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 satisfied that 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 proved 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 or Queensland timbers 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 Jately. (The Manager, N.S.W. Fresh Food and Ice Co., Ltd., Sydney, in letter to me dated 23rd September, 1908.) ‘No wood should be used unless it is properly seasoned. Size.—Up to 150 feet high, and a diameter ef 4 or 5 feet on the Richmond River, where it attains its greatest development. It is much smaller on the Clarence and Bellinger. Habitat—lIt 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, &e., and so on into Queensland. Colonial Pine is no exception to the very general rule that the timber cbtained 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. Fi., pl. 131. (Richmond River or Hoop Pine.) ARAUCARIA CUNNINGHAMIL, Ait. 155 great variety of soils—some on sand, as at Tin-can Bay; on the Brisbane slate, as at the upper part of the North and South Vine Rivers, Ithaca Creek, and Enoggera Creek; on the Devonian slate, as at Moggill Greek; and on basalt covering coal-shale, as at the Rosewood Ncrub to the west of Ipswich. When this Pine grows on anything like level ground, farmers know they can grow maize, sugar-cane, &c., and, therefore, many pine-serubs are cleared for Suleeations to the injury of the country from the timber-merchant’s point of view. The Catalogue of the Quensland Forestry Museum (1904) says :— Abundant in many of our coastal scrubs from the Macpherson :Range in the south to Gladstoue; also in the Ipswich, Toowvoomba, Warwick, Nanango, Mackay, and Bowen 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 Wardian cases, or to pack it in charcoal. It is cultivated for ornamental purposes, and Mr. Walter Hill thus enthusiastically speaks cf it:— This majestic tree is, without exception, the most ornamental and useful tree in Queensland. Its beautiful regular pyramidical form, and the sombre green of its awl-shaped foliage, command general admiration.” Tt 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 so 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 181. A. Twig, young growth. BR. Twig bearing staminiferous flowers (male amenta or catkins). c, pb. Stamens, with 4 or 5 anther-cells., (N.B.—A stamen can only have one anther; the anther has in Phanerogame generally 2 cells, but in Conifere from few to. numerous cells.) . Unfertilized fruiting cone. , G. Vertical sections of two different unfertilized fruiting cones. . Seed, adnate to the scale. ‘x, Mature cone. tt Bl Tue Cypress Pines or New Souto Wates. Genus Calittris. Habitat As a very general rule the trees are of a neat pyramidal shape, c.g., C. robusta. Sometimes they are of a more or less pendent habit at the top, eg., C. cupressiformis. C. verrucosa, is also without 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. robusta and C. cupressiformis, for example, appear to be an exception in this respect. In these species one can always find large numbers under the trees and on the young wood, but in some other species, ¢.g., verrucosa and propinqua, they are always on old wood. 156 The fruits can be provisionally classified according to the columella, viz. — Columella, a single triangular pyramid: verrucosa, robusta, columellaris, propingua, Muellert. 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. 0. verrucosa are covered with rounded wart-like swellings, as has already been stated. ; Bark.—Messrs. Baker and Smith have drawn attention to,the astringent properties of the bark of the Cypress Pines, 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 - found 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 and Power, architects, in 1893 showed me a piece of Cypress Pine that had been undoubtedly attacked by white ants. Never- theless, Cypress Pine 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, handsome 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 Californian Redwood. It will 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 white 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. miles or more back from 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- dueed in sawmills would sell at a remunerative price, as a superior kind of fuel for drawing-rooms, &c., if people could only readily obtain it. This may appear to be only a trifling matter, but T 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, 157 Mr. Forester J. G. Postlethwaite, of Grenfell, a man of great experience with 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 dangerous, throwing 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 Cunninghamii). Cypress Pine is often known as Colonial Pine in the districts in which it grows, and confusion has arisen, ere now, in interpreting “Colonial Pine” in contracts. White Ants and Cypress Pine—I have already referred to the fact that while this pine is very resistant it is not absolutely so. Following is some evidence in the matter :— If only fully matured timber be used, that 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 attack. I find from inquiries that white ants attack this timber either 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. (J. V. de Coque.) These are white, red, and yellow (see C. robusta), and black (C. calcarata), 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 in the building trade, for which they are much prized on account of their white ant resisting qualities. I have examined pine timber that-has been in use in buildings for forty years, and find it still perfectly 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 pigeon-holes, % feet x 4 feet, made out of imported pine, in one of the rooms, is, together with all the wood in the build- ing, excepting our own colonial pine cut in the district, showing signs of white ants. The palings round this building are also of imported pine, and although only of seven years’ 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 pine. 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 Sandarac).—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 experts 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 veritable “ 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 Australian 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 figures readily. accessible, while its cost in Sydney is very much enhanced; and yet we actually import from Algeria, «1a London, at this high price, what is common enough in parts ef 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 children. As the resin flows from the Cypress Pines it could be accumulated in clean dust-proof tins until a sufficient quantity 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 consumption of Sandarac in this State, but we ought to be able to supply the local demand, and have a good surplus for export. ‘ The mealy appearance on Sandaraec 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 would be utilised by soap-makers. Nothing need be wasted. Another method which may be suggested is to treat the Sandarac witl: rectified spirit. The resin at once assumes a beautifully fresh appearance, vhile 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, F.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 vaised from seed collected by Mr. Macleay at Tacking Point, Port Macquarie. \ Vernacular Names.— Stringybark Pine,” “Port Macquarie Pine,” “Mountain Pine,” or “Turpentine Pine” are names by which it is known on the Dorrigo. 3 It is known locally simply as pine, and by no other name, without any distinguishing characteristic such as red or white. (District Forester Hardi- man, 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. Bark—This is friable-fibrous or stringy, different in texture to that of any of the other species, which are hard, and more or less furrowed. When young, before it becomes properly fibrous, it is almost silky in appearance and to the touch. 159 Timber.—It is a pale-coloured fissile, easily-worked timber, with little figure or colour, and but slightly aromatic. It is said to be white-ant resist- ing. It is used for indoor purposes, for weatherboards, deals, battens, and other small scantlings. It is light and useful, and was much used for shingles in the early days. Size.—Up, to a height of 40 or 60 feet, with a trunk diameter of 1 to 2 fect, 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 November, 1906.) Mr. Hardiman says that in the Com- boyne it grows to an average height of 30 feet, and a diameter of 2 feet. Habitat.—Eastern Australia from the Stroud district, New South Wales, to Northern Queensland. I have received it from near Cairns from Mr. 8. Dixon. It is found quite close to the coast and westerly to the coast range. Callitris verrucosa, R.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 might mention a peculiarity of this pine is that the cones are borne in: thick clusters for the most part directly on the larger limbs instead of towards ibe end of smaller branches as in the common (White) pine. (R. O. Moore, Coan Downs). The same observation as to fruiting on old wood has been made by Mr. . Boorman in regard to this species. Timber.—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 90-25 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” he identical with the “ Mallee Pine” 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 LBygo Run, 10 feet high, spreading. (Forester Taylor, Wagga Wagga.) Its manner of growth appears to be much after the style of Whipstick Mallee, ic. it has practically no trunk, the branches all springing from a bole or stump close to the ground, and beiug of a decidedly spreading nature. (Mr. ‘It. O. Moore, Coan Downs, Mount Hope.) Size (and Habitat). — This tree differs somewhat from a Mallee (Eucalyptus) in its form of growth, as it usually has a trunk, though at times only a few inches in length. and seldom more than 6 inches. Often it begins to spread level with the surface of the ground, but it always had the appearance of branching rather than sending up separate stems like a Mallee. 160 Among the Mallee about here (Mount Hope to Parkes) there is often a spreading Pine ( Callitris varrucosa, R.Br.), which grows with a short stem, and branches out almost from the ground. The fruits are larger than those of C. robusta, 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.—lIt 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, between 24° et 38°.” The specimens were collected in the same district (by Allan Cun- mingham jin 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 just 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 about 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. (Rev. 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. Callitvis Macleayana. Xo. 4 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. cis a fruit. c, seeds, and ¢, of the clusters of central columellas or aborted ovlues of each fruit. Callitris rerracosa, R.Br. (specimens from near Nymagee, N.S.W.). A. Twig bearing male flowers. 3B. Branchlets bearing male flowers. c. Stamen (with anthers). pb. Cluster of fruits. pb, Very yeung fruits. E. Single fruit, opened, showing central column. fF. Seeds. c. Fruit, from near Karrakatta, W.A. H. A very warted fruit of Callitris propinqua, R.Br., showing close affinity to @. rerrucosa, For remainder of C. propinguia, see Plate 47. Calitris robusta, R.Br. Botanical Name.—Robusta (Latin), in allusion to the sturdy growth of the species. Vernacular Names—* White or Common Pine.” Tt is often named after a locality, thus—“ Murrumbidgee or Lachlan Pine.’ Other names will be alluded to later on. The “Mountain Cypress Pine” of Weddin, 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 this pine in the Grenfell district. (District Forester A. Osborne.) F. ri, pi. 40. CALLITRIS VERRUCOSA, R.Br. (The Warted and Stringybark Pi il 5 MACLEAYANA, et a ne : 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. Holdsworth. ) Mr. Osborne's “Mountain Pine” is C. robusta. Mr. Holdsworth does not send specimens of his “ Ridge Pine,” but it would appear to include robusta, and also the Red or Black Pine (calcarata), and it is perhaps a name given. to inferior timber of both kinds. , Tumber.—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. (Iorester Kidston, ‘Condobolin.) White fhe durable timber; Black Pine no good. (A. Murphy, Murrumbid- gerie, Dubbo.) The white, red, or yellow varieties, as far as I can gather, are of one species; the branchlets are light in colour of bark, also the fruit-cones as compared with the Black Pine. These three distinctions are made owing to the respec- tive colours of the 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 house-building purposes, but is rarely used in Sydney owing to the expense of bringing it so far by rail. I failed to find a single instance recorded in the Western districts where white ants attacked the timber after it was dry, and the majority of the houses, &e., around the towns of Dubbo and Wellington are built of this timber. It is also forwarded for upwards of 100 miles by rail for building purposes, and invari- ably gives satisfactory results as long as the black variety is not used. (J. V. de Coque.) The pine timber is the most useful timber here for -buildings, telegraph-posts, and posts 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 much 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 houses made of this timber will not bear moving, as it splits and breaks very easily while being taken to pieces, so they cannot be 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 builders 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 ine 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. ) + 94031—F 162 Cypress Pine (Callitris robusia, 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 white ants, and is good for flooring-boards and house-building, when not exposed to the weather or damp, the house being built on blocks. Have also used 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.) / . HAabitat—tIn all the State except Tasmania. It is usually gregarious,, forming scrub forests on sandy barren lands. New Souru WaAtes. Tt is abundantly distributed in'the dry country west of the Dividing Range 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 them 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 have seen a little pine in the Camping Reserve at Alfred Town, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, but no quantity, and also a small quantity between Upper and Lower Tarcutta, but very small. (Forester Mechain, Tumut.) Native Pine grows in the hills, and the soil is of a rocky and stony nature. On Poolamacca Pastoral Holding, 6 miles south of Torrowangee, they are very scarce, only an odd pine-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 the 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 pine reserves in my district, within the county of Townsend, 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 1,880, Steam Plains; No. 7, Conargo; No. 1,404, Deniliquin; and part of No. 1,458, Warwillah Run. All these reserves, with the exception of No. 1.458, haye 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 valuable in time. The only other pine reserve in my district of importance is No, 3,103, situated on Chah Ling River, county of Wakool. This reserve is timbered with good pine; most of the trees are now suitable for telegraph- posts. Bush fires in this district have tended to destroy hundreds of acres of splendid young pine forests, both on freehold and Crown lands; very little fire destroys the young timber. There are several other reserves in my district that contain small patches of pine. The total aren of pine timbers, including all the reserves in my district. I would estimate at about 10,000 acres. (Forester Wilshire, Deniliquin. ) There are about 20,000 acres of land upon the reserves in my district, well timbered with pine. (Forester Payten, Corowa.) The nuimbcr of reserves (pine) in my district is 101, and the area which they cover is 467,625 acres. There is a plentiful supply of pine distributed over these rescrves 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 robusta and calcarata but the former largely preponderates. 163 As near as I can calculate; there are about 92.000 acres of White Pine on the timber reserves in my district; exclusive of a proposed reserve in the eounty of Gipps, which I believe has not yet been gazetted, containing about 2,000 acres of pine. Though pine timber is found 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 matured 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 hundreds of acres of this class of timber which grows to a greater size here than upon any other reserve that I know of. (Forester Postlethwaite, Grenfell.) i To be found on nearly every reserve throughout the Lachlan and Murrum- bidgee districts, especially on stony ridges. (Forester Taylor, Wagga Wagga.) There is a large quantity of pine timber, the White or Yellow 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 timber reserve No. 2,727 to close to Peak Hill, 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 be protected, which is very necessary, and which if done would give a lasting supply to the mills named. I would 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 Parkes, Mudgee, Coonamble, &c., the quantity of which I eould not form an estimate. The White Pine is found in large quantities growing amongst the scrub, and if the scrub 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 White 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 used for rafters, ridging, and bush carpentry in general. (District Forester Marriott, Dubbo.) Mr, Marriott’s Red Pine is also C. robusta; 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 robustas (White and Red 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 timber 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 the most common tree growths in the district. (District Forester Bishop Lyne, Narrabri.) The principal reserves in and around Gunnedah comprise 56,613 acres. chiefly composed of pine. Breeza, Doona, Tulcumbah, and Denison may be taken as the largest, but with the exception of the last-named there is no pme left of the required size. Breeza reserve, situated 25 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-five years. Doona and Tulcumbah reserves may be classified as the same, and unless proper measures are taken the young pine now maturing will be stunted and knotty. Denison reserve 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, (Cv calearata: ; 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 Callitris. , Timber.—Highly figured and very aromatic. When residing here, for over nineteen years, J was always given to under- stand that the timber of the Cypress Pine was touched neither by the white ant nor by the cobra. (S. Sohn, Wardell, Richmond River, N.8.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 Hah. Cat., 1855.) ‘ 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'. robusta, var. intratropica. ) : ; Size-—“ Only a few specimens may be found girthing 6 feet at 3 feet from the ground.”—(S. Sohn, Richmond 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 50-60 feet at Moreton Island (Queensland). Range-—* To this belong most of the Northern specimens, also Richmond and Clarence Rivers.”—(B.FIl. vi, 237.) Near Wardell, it grows in a close: gand 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 Mullumbimby 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. Tt 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 “ TWlawarra Mountain Pine” should be: received with caution, as C. cupressiformis may be included. 165 Fruit—-The fruit resembles that of C. propinqua a good deal, but is, apparently, never tuberculate. That this species ruis 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—Port Jackson, also South Head (Port Jackson). I look upon this species as confined to New South Wales (Central and South Coast and the Dividing Range). It is usually found in rocky (sandstone) situations. Going north, I have it from Brisbane Water (not to bé 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, T have collected it near Eden, on the Victorian border. Berrima (Woolls). On the Blue Mountains it is not rare, and the most westerly locality known to me is Rylstone. Callitris 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 0. Muelleri, C. propinqua may be separated by the perfectly smooth cones and coarse angular branchlets of the former. It has the smooth branchlets often seen in C. verrucosa, ani it has often a few warts on the valves; its affinity 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 robusta. Range.—-The type came from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The species 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 WaAtgs. IT am of opinion that the Cypress Pine of Quiedong, Bombala, belongs to this species. This is limestone country, and the trees, which have been earefully 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 sandy 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 propinqua usually are. 166 EXPLANATION OF PLATE 47. a Callitris robusta, R.Br. A. Twig bearing male flowers and cones. a‘. Portion of branchlets enlarged. sp. A cone opening. c. A cone further advanced, showing the prominent central columella. (Letters a-c from Dubbo, N.S.W.) p. Cone of “Murray Pine” from Mildura, Vic., furrowed at the valves. rk. Young cone of Red Pine from Dubbo, showing long stalk, and cone somewhat pointed. ' ry. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers. « Scale with anthers. H. Fruit, bearing a few small warts or tubercles. gz. Seeds. (F-s from Mount Lofty, near Adelaide.) Callitris propinqua, R.Br. kK. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers, Bremer Bay, W.A. L. Portion of branchlet bearing male flowers, much enlarged. mM. Stamen with authers. \ n. Cone, showing columella. o. Seeds. (1-0 from Quiedong, near Bombala, N.S.W.) v. Portion of branchlet (enlarged) from Sandy Creek, 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 ; rz. Cone from type locality (Kangaroo Island, 8.A.). For another fruit of C. propingua, see letter H of Plate 46. Callitris columellaris W.v.M. Ss. Branchlet (enlarged) bearing male flowers. vr. Cones, opening and shedding seeds. ' vu. Cone showing the prominent columella, from which the species was named. v. A single columella. w. Seeds. (-\Jl from type locality, Richmond River, N.S.W.) Callitris calcarata, R.Br. C. calcarata and C. Muelleri ave 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 J/uelleri and the branch- lets are much less coarse. C. calcarata, the Black Pine, and C. robusta, the White Pine, are often confused in general descriptions, and the following notes bring out their cliiecf 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 ease with White Pine. The stalk of the fruit is usually slender in the case of White Pine. Tn 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, F., pl. 47. QA, -—Ss CALLITRIS ROBUSTA, R.Br. COLUMELLARIS, F.v.M. (The White and other Cypress Pines.) PROPINQUA, R.Br. 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 give the specific name (as Frenela) in his MS. Journal, under date 25th May, 1817. He was then in the Lachlan district with Oxley’s expedition. f Squamie of the strobile calearated near the apex, which is longer than C. glauca, Arbuscula, 25 feet. Vernacular Names.—Most commonly known as “ Black Pine,” but also as “ Red Pine.” The Red Pine occurs on the ridges, where it is also called Mountain Pine. It is generally stunted and does not produce timber of any commercial value. It is also subject to dry-rot and doziness. (Forest Cadet H. Swain, Coota- mundra-Grenfell district.) ; The darker is called indiscrimately Red or Black Pine. (District Forester Osborne, Cootamundra.) Leaves.—Mr. Bauerlen informed me that the twigs of this 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 be in this remedy is not shared by all the other species. Boronia rhomboidea is also put to a similar use. : Fruit——The points or spurs on the fruits, while commonest in, this species. are also occasionally found on some other species, e.g., robusta. 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, &. Slabs of wood of this tree were used by Sir Thomas Mitchell for sleepers when crossing the Yarran Swamp. The timber is soft, easily worked, and durable. I was shown a stable at Cooma, built of this pine, 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 und wire 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 sandy and hilly country, and is used for saw- milling and fencing purposes. (District Forester A. Osborne, Forbes.) Red or Black Cypress Pine, called Black Pine, when growing on the low- lands in conjunction with White Pine (robusta), where it produces timber of good quality, but heavier and penetrating odour than the latter. It is also auch darker, and the grain is of a more streaky, parallel, or concentric design of reddish and other brown colouring, gorgeous in effect. The annual rings are very fine. 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 H. Swain, Cootamundra-Grenfell.) As the timber is very little used in this neighbourhood, not much value is placed upon it. It doés 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 Postlethwaite, Grenfell.) This tree does not grow nearly as large as the White Pine, is of a darker colour, and is not much used, being more brittle and liable to split. The knots ‘re 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. (Forester Smith, Dubbo.) 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 and 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-peds, 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 uf 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 purposes here, it is brought from the Tamworth and Gunnedah districts, but it is not used to any great extent,-although highly useful and ornamental for inside purposes in buildings. (Forester Siddins, Armidale.) 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 much of that richness of colour that this species possesses on the westcrn plains. Locality has, of course, much to do with the physical properties of timber. Size—lIt 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 stunted habit, and though it attains a height of 50 feet, a tree car seldom be found of more than 8 inches in diameter, 3 feet from the ground; ‘thus it is practically useless for milling purposes. (Forester 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 cafions in the southern and northern tablelands. It also occurs in Victoria and Queensland. Abundant on the reserves and alienated lands bordering on the Snowy River, county 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 ©. calcarata.) Soil stiff. red, and sandy. (Forester Taylor, Wagga Wagga.) Pine is also to be found in the Willimicat Ranges, between Tumut and Gundagai. Stenocarpus salignus, R.Br. A BEgErwoop. Botanical Name.—Stetnocarpus, from two Greek words—stenos (narrow) and karpos (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 robusta 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. sinuatus. They are somewhat fragrant. . 118 Timber.—A_ reddish, fissile timber, used locally for furniture, veneers, 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. Tha 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 salignus. “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, of hard texture, easily worked. Altogether one of the most beautiful woods in the Exhibition, and of the highest merit.” (Jurovs’ Reports, London Inter- national Exhibition of 1862.) As it ages it sobers down to a reddish-brown colour, with a tendency to uniformity of colour throughout. Prgteaceous 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 opinion. 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. Habitat——New 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 PLATE 23. A. Flower before expansion. b. Expanded flower. c. Flower, petals (perianth), with stamens removed—(a) IUypogy- nous disc, (0) Stipitate ovary, (c) Stigmatic disc. p. Petal (perianth segment), with sessile anther. Eg. Stigmatie disc. ¥. Fruits (follicles). G. Seeds, showing the thin lamelle separating them. Macadamia ternifolia, F.v.M. Tur QueENsLanp Net. Botanical Name.—AMacadamia, in honour of John Macadam, M.D., of Victoria, Hon. See. of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria at the time the plant was deseribed before that body; ternifolia (Latin), ternt (three together), the leaves being commonly in threes. They, however, sometimes form a whorl of four, and in very rare instances, even five. STENOCARPUS SALIGNUS, R.Br. (A Beef-wooa.) F. Fl., pl. 40. (The Queensland Nut.) MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA, F.v.M. 179- Vernacular Name.—The name Queensland Nut 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 likely 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 are not allowed to fell these trees. It is well worth extensive cultivation, for the nuts 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 Agricultural Gazette, New South Wales, October, 1905, p. 1026. Timber.—Wood 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-wark, veneers, shingles, and bullock-yokes. It seems a pity to use our best nut 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 Australiensis 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 the end. (a) Hypogynous glands united in a ring round the ovary. c. Anther. p. Fruit. showing exocarp and putamen. . E. Vertical section showing two fleshy cotyledons. 180 The She Oaks. (CASUARINA). Casuarina lepidophloia (Belah). Casuarina glauca (Salt-water Swamp Oak). Casuarina suberosa (Black She Oak). . Casuarina Cunninghamiana (River Oak). Casuarina stricta (Drooping She Oak). . Casuarina Luehmanni (Bull Oak). . Casuarina torulosa (Forest Oak). TTD go PO GeneraL Remarks on SHE Oaks. Vernacular Names.—Origin of the Term “She Oak.’ 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,” “ Beefwood.” 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 the Casuarina She-look; which has probably been cor- rupted by 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” 3 though more readily allied botanically:to the Northern Oaks than any Tas- manian 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., C. glauca, suberosa, torulosa) to that of Quercus (Northern Oak) is, of course, obvious. As regards the use of ‘the prefix “she,” to denote paleness of colour or inferiority, this ig 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,” “Shé Pine,” “She Ironbark.” Branchlets—The “ foliage” consists of long fine apparently leafless verti- cillate 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 Conifere from Cypressés 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. Holtzapffel, the well-known authority on turnery, describes as— In general colour resembling a full red mahogany, with darker red veins; the grain is more like the Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilev, a Mediterranean species) than the other European varieties, as the veins are small, slightly eurled, 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, and 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, ¢.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, which we now make from a tree like the pine-tree in appearance, the wood resembling the English Oak. (Barton’s History of N.S.W., 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 the Cultivation of She Oaks. | 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. suberosa 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 pleasing appearance. 1 go further, and say that if Australians would only take it into their lieads to grow their She Oaks (and we have species for salt-water, fresh- water, for arid situations, and sterile places) they would be cliarmed at the result. A well-grown She Oak is one of the most beautiful trees in Aus- tralia, and atfords a pleasing contrast to the trees mostly grown, and in most eases 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, ¥.v.M : Tur Brenan. ) Botanical Name.—Casuarina, owing to the resemblance of the branch- lets to the feathers of the Cassowary (Casuarius) ; lepidophloia, Greek lepis. lepidos (== Latin squamd) a scale; phlotos, 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 cas “ Bull Oak,” but this should be reserved for (. 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 different trecs, Mr. Dalton, of Wanaaring, states: ‘The Belah is always called about Wanaar- ing by the name of Belah, and the ouly time I have heard it called * Bull Oak * is by people coming from inside districts.” The name “© Black Oak” is in uve at Mount Lyndhurst, 8S. 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. Myr. Bailey quotes Mr. Watkius as giving “Billa” in use for ( vlauca 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 Terry-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 Oaks for this purpose. (Distri¢t Forester C. Marriott, Dubbo.) The Belah is sometimes eaten by stock, is very woody and astringent, which is claimed for all the Casuarinas 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. (H. 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 a 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 straigbt and tough, but most liable to split with the weather. (R. W. Peacock.) Timber very hard, and if split it makes good rails, but it decays rapidly in contact with the 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 the yround. (H. V. Jackson.) \ The timber is excessively hard, but brittle; it is much used for fencing posts. (K. H. Bennett, Ivanhoe, rié Hay.) The tree is a quick-growing, fast-decaying one, and it begins to die frequently before it has 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, snd in course of time the whole tree becomes a pipe. The inside of this is excessively lard, and under the axe flies to pieces like glass. It is useless as a building timber, but the trees being straight they are much used for log fencing and building rough stockyards. (Richard Bennett.) Good for firewood ; sometimes used for, buliock-yokes, but liable to split. No use for post or outside work. (TR. 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 Pine (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 4 correspondent, who wrote to me asking why the great plains of New Soutn Wales are apparently devoid of timber, may be of some interest :— The great grass-land plains of Australia are, when xerophilous, technically steppes, and xerophilous grass-land containing isolated trees is savannah. I take it that you ave 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 (the 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 Soutu Watgs. 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. Cambage) ; 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. IL. Morton); Dandaloo, Bogan River (R. H. Cambage). This is near the place where Richard Cunningham, the Botanist and Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, Jost 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 (CW. 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.” s. Type specimens (staminiferous flowers). Between the Upper Bogan and Lachlan.” ©. Part of a branch showing portions of two joints. p. Whorled bracts representing leaves, opened out. zn. A single staminiferous flower, consisting of a single stamen between two floral bracts. ‘F. Winged nut, containing seed, much enlarged. a. Ripe cone. CASUARINA LEPIDOPHLOIA, Fv.M. (Belah.) 185 Casuarina glauca, Sieb. \ Tue Swamp Oak. Botanical Name.—Glauca (see the original description), in reference to the glaucousness of the branchlets. ‘ Vernacular Names —The commonest and most’ expressive name is “ Salt- water Swamp Oak,” to distinguish it from the “ Fresh-water Swamp Oak” (C. Cunninghamiana). Sometimes it is simply called “ Swamp Oak,” or merely “ River Oak,” but “River Oak” is a far better name for C. Cun- ninghamiana, 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 reserved for C’. Cunninghamiana. Aboriginal 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.” THe gives the name “ Coomban” for the “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 “ Billa” 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 Casuarinas. 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 necessary 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, &., also for rails, but not for posts. It is beautifully marked, close in the grain, and rather tough; brittle. It might be useful for cabinet-work. A specimen 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 shipbuilding purposes. It is also used for bullock-yokes, and handles of every description. ‘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 bas not a deeply furrowed, but a more or less cracked or flaky bark. 4 . 1 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 Sydney, 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 very plentiful there at one time. There is a very fine row of this species along the ereek (which I am informed is brackish) at Edensor Park (Mr. William Harris), 43 miles snort Liverpool, on the road to Badgery’s Creek. T 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,” 31,12) records it from the north-west of that State only. All the specimens T have seen from the north-west are (. 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 (, 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 Murray. T 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 localities 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. Fi., pl. 55 ry y CASUARINA GLAUCA,Sieb, (The Swamp Oak.) 187 ‘HXPLANATION OF PLATE 55. # A. Twig, with young pistilliferous flowers and cones. bh. Pistilliferous flower. «. Twig, with cones. b. Ripe cone. t. Winged nut containing seed (enlarged). ¥. Branchlets, with staminiferous flowers. «. Staminferous flowers. i. Portion of branchlet in transverse section, showing portions of two joints. — ¥, Pon of branchlet, opened out, i.e., whorled bracts representing eaves. Casuarina suberosa, Otto et Dietr. Tue Brack Sie Oax. Botanical Name.—Suberosa, Latin (corky), in allusion to the appearance of the bark. The name is not specially appropriate. Vernacular Names.—On this tree a uumber 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 (', forulosa) 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 C. suberosa 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 “Te 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 species is one of the least valuable of the She Oaks for that purpose. ’ Bark.—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 13-5 per cent. of tannin, but many more experiments require to be 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 Casuarine. 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 making 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 used 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 ef 40 feet, and a stem-diameter of 14 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 poor, 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. . Branch with pistilliferous flowers. . Twig with cones. Winged nut containing seed. Branch with-staminiferous flowers. Staminiferous flowers. . Portion of branchlet, showing portions of two joints. . Whorled bracts representing leaves, opened out. OsHUOnP Casuarina Cunninghamiana, Miq. Tue River 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 (Branchlets)—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. Timber.—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 valuable timber, and it can be obtained of large size. Wood strong, light, very tough when dry; excellent for many purposes requiring lightness aud strength; stated by some to be not durable if exposed to the weather. One of the most durable oaks, is suitable for bullock-yokes, handles, &c. (District Forester Rotton, Nowra.) F. FL, pl. 72. r. (The Black She-Oak.) CASUARINA SUBEROSA, Otto & Diet 189 I should like to obtain additional evidence as to the durability of River ak when exposed to the weather: er River Oak, it will be noticed, is of a much paler colour than the Bull M4 k or Belah, and although it has many uses, yet, owing to the limited supply - not much used. In fact, landowners who have it growing on their pro- eed fronting the river or creeks object to it being cut down, as it assists to cep the banks together as well as providing a shade. It is, in my opinion, a much better timber than an { ‘ i istri rester Osborne, Cootamun, ca) y of the oaks I have mentioned. (District Fo f s Vee —The largest of all Casuarinas. I have seen it probably near 100 eet 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. The 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 thé 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:— The 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 Riryer 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 contend 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 has 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 required. In the case of a casual labourer this would have been termed 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. Natural Bank Protectors.—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 continue 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 purposes of bank protection, for the reason that it has been for ages the natural bank protector of these streams, and has become largely adapted to its environment. At the same time the acquisition of these lands by the white man, and his method 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 59. . Branch bearing pistilliferous flowers. . Pistilliferous flower, enlarged. . Branch bearing fruits (cones). . Young cones. . Winged nut, containing seed. . Branch bearing staminiferous flowers. . Staminiferous flowers. . Part of branch showing portions of two joints. 1. Whorled bracts, representing leaves, opened out. tenn eanP Casuarina stricta, Ait. Tue Drooping Sie-Oax. 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. Vernacular 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 the branchlets) at Denman close by. Leaves (Branchiets).—In cases of severe thirst, relief may be obtained from chewing the foliage of this and other species, which 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 citrie 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 young cones, which they call “ oak apples.” This is a useful fodder tree in Scuth Australia, Victoria, and southern New South Wales. Mr. S. Dixon states that in Port Lincoln (S.A.) the F.Fi., pl. 59. VA } ie ‘ Wii \\ oe TINGE i W/ es > SSE =} = == Ss —=—= Ss ea (i i = — Casuarina torulosa, Ait. Tur Forrest Oax. Botanical Name.—Torulosa, Latin, torulus (diminutive of torus), a little rope or cord; in botany=moniliform (Greek-monile, a necklace), applied to a cylindrical body when it is swollen at rerular intervals. In reference ‘to the branchlets, which have a more or less torulose appearance, particularly on drying. pl. 76. Se rt. (The CASUARINA LUEHMANNI, R. T. Bake CASUARINA TORUL 195 Vernacular Names.—Called “ Cork-bark’d Casuarina” in the originai description. Its usual name ig “ Forest Oak,” though this is not specially appropriate, since C. suberosa equally deserves such a name. Nevertheless it will be a convenience to adhere to “ Forest Oak” for OC. 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 somie- times known as “ Red 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 Rotton speaks of it:— Timber excellent for 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 Bull Oak, and is, I believe, torulosa. The timber, _ though not used 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 not know the precise southern boundary, but I have received it from Mr. District Forester Rotton from Appin and Picton) 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 known to me. Tt, is found at Acacia Oreek, 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 63. . Branch with young cones. . Ripe cones. Ripe cone, shedding the seed (winged nuts). Winged nut, containing seed. Branch with staminiferous flowers. Staminiferous flower. . Whorled bracts, representing leaves, opened out. . Portion of branchlet, showing portions of two joints. HOME DOD 196 The Teak Group. 1. Flindersia australis (Native Teak). 2. Flindersia Bennettiana (Crow's Ash or Bogum-Bogum), 8. Flindersia Oxleyana (Yellow-wood). 4, Flindersia Schottiana (Cudgerie). Flindersia australis, R. Br. Tue Native 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. justralis, Latin, Southern (Australian). Vernacular Names.— “Teak” is the common name—that or “ Native Teak.” The confusion of this species with Ff. Beanettiana will be dealt with below. “Crow’s Ash” in Queensland, according to F. M. Bailey. I have. not heard guch a name applied to F. australis in New South Wales. F. Bennett- tuna is sometimes known by that name. Teak 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” hag 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 I’xhibition catalogues, and is not surpris- ing. The fruits have been wrongly matehed, 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 fF’. australis and IF’. Schotttana 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.—Attention is specially invited to the amended description of the leaves already given. The drawing of F. australis leaves in Flinders’ Voyage is an admirable one. Fruit—The natives of the Moluccas use the rough tuberculated fruits as rasps for preparing roots, &c., for food (Treasury of Botany). The species referred to is F. amboinensis, Poir. It is very possible our aborigines have put the fruits of Ff. australis (known as Rasp-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 iis distinguish it from the other Flindersias with which it might be confused. 1t 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 was ‘largely exported to Germany. It is close-grained, heavy, difficult to work, and eracks somewhat unless carefully dried. 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. 4 It is a splendid building timber. At first sight when cut into boards it is scarcely distinguishable from Hoop Pine (Araucaria Cunninghamit). 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 i is the best timber for slabbing a well, as it does not tum 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 to be the best all-round, firewood on the 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 ocily, hard, strong, and durable. Iron fastened into it will not rust, as is the case with nearly every other kind of timber. Useful for general building purposes, especially verandah flooring-boards (it having of late years taken the place of Beech, being much more plentiful and cheaper), coach-building, railway-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 feet. In the Sydney newspapers of 14th May, 1906, the following paragraph 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, cerned 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, Macpherson Range). “It is found on the Tweed” (Forest Guard S. R. 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 cqually 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 67. (FLOWERS.) . Flowering branch. : ; . Expanded flower—(a) Petals, (0) Staminodia, (c) Stamens, (d) Disc, (e) Ovary. . Vertical section of flower showing—(a—e as in B). . Back of flower. Flower more advanced, showing young cone with stigma. Stamen. . Young cone. . Vertical section of young cone. kK. Part of outside of young cone showing hairs. tb morayea L. Part of stem, showing articulation of petiole. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 68. (FRUITS.) A. Leaf (with numerous leaflets). B. Capsule about to open. : c. Deciduous placenta with winged seeds (two on each side of the i placenta). Flindersia Bennettiana, F.v.M. at Tur Crow’s Asx or Bocum-Bocum. 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” or “ 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 cxplanation. 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 some Queenslanders ‘and Richmond River people to Teak (7. australis). It has also been sent 19 me as a name for F. Benncttiana, a closely-allied species. As Teak is a fixture for F. australis, I think it is desirable to encourage the name “ Orow’s Ash” for F. Bennettiana, which is one of the high treés in which crows build. “ PIFT, pl. 67. FLINDERSIA AUSTRALIS, R.Br. (The Native Teak.) F. Fi., pl. G8, (The Native Teak.) FLINDERSIA AUSTRALIS, R.Br. 199 ‘Aboriginal Name.—“ Bogum-Bogum” of the aborigines of the Richmond River, New South Wales. See No. 1 of Moore’s “ List of Northern Timbers for the London Exhibition of 1862.” Leaves.—The leaflets are the largest of those of any species of Flindersia. Fruit—tThe fruit is smaller than that of F. australis, nor are the edges of the valves rough as in that species. Bark.—Somewhat resembles that of F. australis, which has doubtless tended to add’ to the confusion between the two species. Timber.—The following account 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 height of 80 feet, and 2 feet diameter. Comparatively rare and of small size on the Clarence. Its large, bright, glossy foliage, and masses of terminal white flowers render it a conspicuous object wherever it grows. The wood is seldom used hy the settlers, but as it splits well, might probably be valuable for staves, For many years the Teak (F. aystralis) 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 rarcr tree than the Teak. We know that it is pale-coloured, and that it is fissile Git is used for staves); but what else do we know about it? What are its properties 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, Fraser, W. Hill). New South Wales.—Clarence River (Beckler). Tt is a brush tree, and we know very little about its distribution. We do not know its precise southern range, nor are we able to say, with a close approximation to accuracy, its relative abtindance on any particular area. It is represented in the National ‘Pcchaeuiiy 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 ” (CW. Baeuerlen); 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); ‘Gympie (F. Hamilton-Kenny). x 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. Tts large glossy leafléts, 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. . Flower (enlarged). c. Expanded flower showing—(a) Petals, (0b) Stamens, (c) Stami- nodia, (d) Disc, (¢) Ovary, (f) Stigma. p. Part of flower showing—(a@) Stamens, (0) Staminodia, (c) Disc, (d) Ovary, (e@) Stigma. oo &. Stamens. F. Staminode. «. Transverse section of ovary. H. Calyx. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 78 (FRUITS). aA. Leat (with leaflets) or portion of stem showing articulation of petiole. B. Fruit. c. Capsule opening septicidally. p. One valve.of capsule. E. Seed, winged all round. & : N.B.—The fruits were drawn from specimens attached to leaves, and there- fore their botanical origin is not open to doubt. Flindersia Ovleyana, F.v.M. Tar Yricow-woop. Botanical Naine.—Oczleyana, in honour of John 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. “Tong Jack” is a name frequently used in northern New South Wales for this tree, in reference. to its great height. Leaves—tThe leaflets are softly tomentose underneath, and more readily wilt than those of any other species. The common rhachis is also tomentose. Sometimes the venation on the under side of the leaf is very conspicuous. The leaflets are 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 the Teak (Ff. wus/ralis), but the leaves are 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 flaky.” FL EL ypl.o7Z, fis Cae ey a ee > aoe. FLINDERSIA BENNETTIANA, F.v.M. (Grow’s Ash, or Bogum Bogum.) F, Fly pl. 78, \ | == B FLINDERSIA BENNETTIANA, F.v.M. (Crow’s Ash, or Bogum Bogum.) 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 the Botanic Gardens at Sydrey, and Allan Cunningham, King’s Botanist, on 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, &.” - (Botanical Miscellany, Vol. i, p. 247). 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 Cndgerie (/. Nchotlianva). The timber is long in the grain and strong, and inclines to be yellow in colour towards the centre of the 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, rough 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, ave required; also cabinet-making, joinery, turnery, and picture-frames. It is 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 wshafts, 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 timber, chiefly from the point of view of the railway carriage-builder, will be found in MacMahon’s “ Queensland Mer- chantable Timbers,” p. 538. Here it is stated that:— “Tt is largely 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 tvamear, which it is necessary to bend by steam, and has, in fact, supplanted entirely ‘the more expensive blackwood for this purpose. 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 Forces has recently decided that this is the most suitable wood in Australia for ammnu- nition boxes.” Sive.—Height 80 to 100 feet, with a barrel of 4 to 8 feet in diameter in Mac- ‘pherson Range. (J. L. Boorman.) Habitat—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 Forest 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 yegards the locality. As regards Queensland, its range appears to be hardly better known than at the time. of its discovery ninety-six years ago. Concerning New South Wales, Mr. District Forester Pope, of Casino, reports :— 1t grows in most of the brush forests in this district, but appears to he avourable to red soil. There is a considerable quantity of it along the 'Tenter- field-road on Forest Reserves 2,425 and 1,120. It is fairly abundant in all the brushes of the Tweed and Richmond Rivers—evenly distributed. Does not attain such a size on Forest Reserves 2,425 and 1,120 as in other localities. Mr. Forest Guard W. Dunn, of Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range, reports :— This is the scarcest Flindersia here. It is very careful in selecting its habi- tation. My opinion is, it favours brush mountain regions with plenty of shelter. Turning to Queensland, Hooker wrote in 1830, on C. Fraser’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 .fraucaria, to a considerable extent. ‘The north bank, as far as Ceumoriston’s Range, is principally open forest, not reaching far, beyond. which it is clothed with pine brushes as on the south. These furests contain immense quantities of Yellow-wood (O.rlcya aanthoryla) (Botanical ALisecl- lany, Vol i, p. 246). EXPLANATION OF PLATE 73. A. Flowering branch. B. Flower. c. Expanded flower, showing—(a) Petals, (UJ) Stamens, (¢c) Stamin- odia, (d) Disc, (¢) Ovary, (f) Stigma. p. Part of flower—(a) Stamens, (b) Staminodia, (¢c) Disc, (d) Ovary, (ec) Stigma. : r. Stamens. rv. Transverse section of ovary. G: (CAIN: EXPLANATION OF PLATE 74. ‘a. Part of stem, showing leaflets and articulation of petiole. p. Capsule opening septicidally. c. Deciduous placenta. p. Winged seeds. Flindersia Schottiana, F.v.M. Tue CUpGErRin. 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 ecmmon vernacular name. The late Mr. Augustus Rudder sent it under the names of “Ash” and “ Stave-wood.” “ Mountain Ash” is not an uncommon name. J may say that a great many pale-coloured ‘timbers, more or less fissile, go by the names of * Ash” and * Stuve-wood” in Australia. T believe is to be one of the trees which has passed under the name of “Plindosa.” The orizin of this name LT 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. FFI, pl. 73. a A), ., & Panag i ‘ee F FLINDERSIA OXLEYANA, F.v.M. (The Yellow Wood. FEL, pees FLINDERSIA OXLEYANA, F.v.M. (The Yellow Wood.) 203 Aboriginal Names.—* Cudgerie,” or “ Cudgery,” of Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland. Cudgerie and Teah.—Under F’. australis, I have already drawn attention to the confusion that has existed for so many ycars between “ Cudgerie” (F. Schottiana) and Teak (fF. 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 tcrminal one. To look at the leaves on a growing ‘Cudgerie in the distance, the leaves 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 appearance when on the tree, reminding one of Silky Oak (Grcvillce robusta.)— (CW. 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 drying to a white or cream colour), generally useful wood, which ainials but little in drying. It is rather hard and tough, and is hence sometimes objected to on that seore. 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 appearance. 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, in . 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 Queensland. Bentham records it from Wide Bay (Bidwill); Cumberland Islands (Herb. ¥. Mueller); Bris- . bane River (A. Cunningham). I have it from Cairns (I. Betche) ; Gympie (Dr. Hamilton-Kenny) ; and other localities. ; In New South Wales 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. = pct Forester T. H. Wilshire.) The same gentleman says :— Jn speaking of the Ash from Mt. Yarrahappini, there is a fair supply to be had; ,the trees attain fair height with rather small barrels. Jt is not used much ‘locally. ‘ But S. G. F. Smith, Stewart’s Pt., Macleay River, asserts that :— There are about 1,600,000 feet of this (Mountain Ash) growing in one spot on Mount Yarrahappiui; the barrels of some are SO feet in length. It is plentiful in the brush forests of the Macpherson Range (W. Dunu). 204 EXPLANATION OF PLATE 69. (Flowers.) ‘ Part of stem showing articulation of petiole. . Flowering branch. . Flower. . Flower more expanded, showing—(«) Petals, (U) Stamens, (c) Staminodia, (d) Disc, (e) Ovary, (f) Stigma. . Portion of flowers—(a) Stamens, (0) Staminodia, (¢c) Dise, (e) Ovary, (f) Stigma, . Stamens. ; . Transverse section of ovary. Cay EXPLANATION OF PLATE 70. (Fruits.) . Leaf (with leaflets). . Capsule opening septicidally. . 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. . Seeds (winged all round). F. Fi, pl. 69. FLINDERSIA SCHOTTIANA, F.v.M. (The Cudgerie-) F. Fi, pl. 70. FLINDERSIA SCHOTTIANA, F.v.M. (The Gudgerie.) 205. Miscellaneous. . Gmelina Leichhardtii (White Beech). . Ceratopetalum apetalum (Coach Wood). . Doryphora sassafras (Sassafras). Litseea reticulata (Bolly Gum). . Castanospermum australe (Black Bean). . Alphitonia excelsa (Red Ash). . Ficus rubiginosa (Rusty Fig). TO oe WO he Gmelina Leichhardtii, F.v.M. Tue Waite BercH. Botanical Name-——Gmelina, in honor of George Gmelin, a German naturalist and traveller (Georg Friedrich), author of a botanical work published at Tubingen in 1699. Letchhardtii is also in honor of a German naturalist and traveller, an Australian explorer, whose name is ever before the people of New South Wales and Queensland. Vernacular Names.—This tree is favoured by being universally known as Beech, or White Beech, 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. We have a true Beech (the Negro-head, Fagus Mooret), 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. Léaves.—The leaves are rather large, and show handsome venation, par- ticularly on the underside. Like many 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 just 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 frequently 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. Jt 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 timbers of New South Wales I would say, Grey Ironbark, Cedar, 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 would explain the corrosion above referred to. ‘ 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, so 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 :— This is a very useful timber for panels and thin boards. It is pretty durable, but rather soft, but its softness is, in some instances, an advantage. Where extreme heat or moisture has 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 glue, mixed with sour milk, it will hold like solid wood when made inta 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 (Negro-head) is a Fagus. 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 cubic foot. On the average (as found in the market), its weight is between 40 and 50 Ib. per cubic foot. My. 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 :-— This timber, being much prized, was extensively used in former years: the quantity remaining now being limited. Occasional trees arc, however, met with in some of our coastal scrubs, north and south, but generally in such places as are difficult of access. Size—From 80 to 120 feet high, and a diamcter of 2 to 4 feet. The Sydney Morning Herald of 16th August, 1898, says :— An Inormous Beech Tree —Mr. Nicholl’s steamer, “ ixcelsior,” which yester- day arrived in port, brought, as part cargo, an cnormous beech tree from the Byron Bay district. The tree was cut into logs 9 feet in length, and averaged about 17 feet in girth. Only the main barrel of the giant was brought to Sydney, and this 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 JHlawarra, but is not plentiful. It used to be found in Jasper’s Brush, but t ¥ F. Fl., pl. 33. (aN AN A Ae \ \h Ny Wi / GMELINA LEICHHARDTII, F.v.M. (The Beech, or White Beech.) 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, &e. Then it is found here and there along the coast, but nowhere very. plentifully. There is a good deal back from the Bellinger and Coff’s Harbour. It oceurs 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 tree; 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. (¥orester Martin, Gosford.) One or two saplings 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 Macquarie. 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 Allgomera Forests and the Upper Nambucca; but not much remains in easily accessible districts. Probably from 20,000 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 be found on Reserves 4,353 and 10,723, county Rous; 14,150, county Buller; 1,120, counties Rous and Buller; on Crown lands, Hay- stack and Watershed between Koreela and Beaury Creeks, county Buller. (Porester 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 regretted, as one see co 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. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 33. \ . Corolla, opened out, showing didynamous stamens. . Exterior of corolla. . Pistil, showing unequally two-lobed stigma. . Stamen, with diverging anther-cells. . Stamen, the anther discharging pollen. . Fruits. . Putamen (stone of seed), the mesocarp (succulent part) removed. Aga sles 208 Ceratopetalum apetulum, D. Don. Tur Coacu Woop. Botanical Name.—Ceratopetalum, from two Greek words, keras (a horn) and petalon (a petal), the petals being jagged, reminding one of a stag’s horn, in the species (C. gummiferum) 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 se 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 very largely increases in size, takes on a crimson or purple colour, and becomes yery conspicuous, forming what is known to most people as the “ flower.” Barl.—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.” JI have known 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 much 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 what 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 lability 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, anda good all-round timber. Size—It commonly attains a height of 60 or 70 feet and even more, and a diameter of 2 or 5 feet. Hahitat—This trees is almost confined to New South Wales. It extends into Queensland at the Macpherson Range. Tt is a gully tree, and common as it is, I believe T have never seen it out of such situations. It may be found in most of the Blue Mountain gullies, and also 2 considerable distance north and south of Sydney. The furthest southern locality I know for this tree is Milton; the furthest western, Mount Wilson; and the furthest northern, the Macpherson Range. F. FI., pl. 21. CERATOPETALUM APETALUM, D. Don. (The Coachwood.) 209 EXPLANATION OF PLATE 21. The small twig at the right hand bottom of the plate shows the normal flowers. The large twig, filling most of the plate, shows the enlarged calyx-lobes, forming the “ flowers.” A. Flower. zB. Flower in more advanced stage—(a) Lobe of calyx, (b) Stamen, (ce) Perigynous disc. c. Flower, further advanced with calyx removed—(d) Half inferior ovary, (€) Recurved styles. pv. Stamen, front and back view of anther appendage. a Doryphora sassafras, Endl. Tue New Sour -WALeEs SASSAFRAS. a . Botanical Name.—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 North 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. Bark.—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.—lIf 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 thirty 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 operi-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 from 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, 1865, I laid a floor of this sort of timber in Booral. 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 xround, and now, notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the boards when taken up are found to be as sound as ever; they were relaid again, and look as if they would last another twenty years. Now what insect can conteud 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 Jarge 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 appears 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 60 to 80 feet high are quite common, and I have been given measurements from reliable people up 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 most southerly locality I have specimens from in this State is Myrtle Creek, Wyndham, County of Auckland. This is, of course, very close to the Victorian border, in which State it may be expected to be 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 west than those stated. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 7. A. Flower. B. Vertical section of flower. c. Flower without perianth. p. Stamen. x. Staminodium. F. Carpel, G. Fruiting carpels included in persistent perianth tube. u. Plumose awn, and style. Litsea reticulata, Benth. Sue Berciu or Bonny Gum. (Family Lauracee.) Botanical Name.—Litswa, from the Chinese Litsé, 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 Maearthur, and it also goes under the name of “She Beech.” Mr, Forester G. R. Brown, an excellent observer, called it “ Scaly or Ycllow Beech.” F.FL., pl. 7. (The New South Wales Sassafras.) DORYPHORA SASSAFRAS, Endl. 211 The following note by My. R. T. Baker in regard to timber passing under the name of “She Beech ” will be found useful :— There has loug been a doubt as to the exact botanical determination of the marketable timber passing under the name of ‘She Beech.” Many’ authors have referred it to, Cryptocarya glaucescens, R.Br. and specimens of timber exhibited in International Exhibitions, and now in the Technological Museum, were labelled with the latter name queried ; but I think now the matter can be definitely settled, as I have acquired botanical (timber and flowering) speci- mens from Gosford, Port Macquarie, and Lismore, and without doubt “ She Beech” is Tetranthera reticulata, Meissn. The timber of Cryptocarya glaucescens is quite distinct, being much fighter in colour, more durable, and with little or no figure, 1s 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 that we have the timber merchants selling to an unsuspecting public apparently two distinct timbers, but ‘which are in reality from one and the same species, i.c., 7. reticulata. (Proce. Liin. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. xxii, 1897, p. 235.) Leaves.—Attention is drawn to the somewhat rigid, leathery leaves. Bark.—Slightly rough and cracked, otherwise a smooth-barked tree as are most of the Lauracez. Timber.—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 vase for lining boards, like sassafras (Doryphora). See also under “ Vernacular Names.” Size—-A rather large tree. Trees 60 to 80 feet in height, with a diameter of 2 to nearly 8 feet, are not uncommon. Sir William Macarthur gave the height of trees at Brisbane Water a3 40 to 80 fect, 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. Habitat.—This is a coastal brush tree, occurring from Rockingham Bay, Queensland, to the Hawkesbury River, New South Wales. Further search will doubtless extend the recorded range. In the “ Flora Australiensis” B.F1. v, 806), we have the following :— Queensland.—Rockingham Bay (Dallachy); Sydney woods (probably from Brisbane Rirer, should be “ Water”), Paris Exhibition, 1855 (Macarthur, n. 24, 192.) T 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 oh (G. R. Brown) ; Woolgoolga Creek (E. H. F. Swain). 212. .EXPLANATION OF PLATE 170. A. Flowering twig. B. The flower-head with 4 bracts—the 2 outer ones (aa) are glabrous, or nearly so, the 2 inner ones (00) are villous. c. Male flower. ‘-p. Male flower opened out, showing—(a) Calyx (6 perianth-segments, (bv) 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. Fr. Female flower opened out, showing—(a) Calyx (6 perianth-seg- ments, (b) 6 staminodia of the outer series, (c) 3 staminodia of - the inner series, with glands. «. Pistil. H. Portion of fruiting twig showing the persistent calyx. Castanospermum australe, A. Cunn. Tue Buack Bazan. Botanical Name.—OCastanospermum, from the Latin castanea (a chestnut), and spermum (a seed). The tree is confined to Australia, and in non- Australian descriptions of it the name is usually éxplained on the ground 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 Mueller), 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 usual 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 if a small piece of the bean be eaten it causes severe F.Fi., pt. 170 LITSEA RETICULATA, Benth. (Bolly Gum.) 213 diarrhea, 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 water, 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 ate 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 :— 18883 was a dry season, and grass scarce. ——-—— informed me that he had lost over 100 head of cattle by bean-poisoning. Next day my attention was drawn to a few cattle in the stockyard said to be poisoned by eating beans. I inquired of the stockman if he had any proof that they had eaten beans, when he pointed to a beast that had died the day before, and beans had heen taken from its 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 foecal 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 Richmond 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. “T consider the presence of a saponin in the beans undoubtedly proved, and the toxie effects of the béan are due to this glucoside.”—Brunuich. ‘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. Gaz. N.S.W., March 1911, p. 196. Timber.—It is easiest described by stating it strongly resembles walnut. T 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 felled 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. 214 Habitat.—It is usually found growing in brush land of the very richest soil, usually near the banks of rivers in the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed River districts, but frequently in the scrub, a considerable distance from creeks and rivers. It comes as far south as the well-known 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 —The 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 9 mass are of more than ordinarily handsome appear- ance. The foliage is dark, and the whole tree shapely, quite justifying Cunningham’s Jaudatory 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, always admired, and it should be more freely planted. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 25 (FLOWER). ' Flowers on Jast year's wood, leaflets. PLATE 26 (FRUIT). A, Legumen (pod). B. The sume, after dehiscence by both dorsal and yentral sutures. Alphitonia excelsa, Reissek. Tur Rep Asu. Botanical Name.—Alphitonia, from the Greek alphiton signifying “ baked parley-meal,” in allusion to the mealy nature of the epicarp which is around the seed; ewcelsa, Latin, signifying “high,” in allusion to the size of the tree. Vernacular Names—‘ Red Ash,” “Leather Jacket,” and “ Coopers’ Wood.” In the Illawarra 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 contairs shiny reddish-brown seeds embedded in a brown powdery substance. Leaves, &ce.—The following letter shows the tree to be a fodder plant :— During the late drought it was found that horses and cattle ate every leaf within reach, and, at Bungawalbin, where there is a regular serub of it, during 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 sandy country, and seems to have some value as a fodder plant. (A.W. Deane, L.S., Lismore, 30th August, 1904.) Bark.— The Teehnological ALuseum, Dear Mr. Maiden, 25rd May, 1965, Some time ago a letter from Mr. J. Byrnes, of Macksville, Nainbucen River, was received through you, asking for particulars as to the tanning qualities of a certain bark. The sample received was that of Alphitonia ercelsd, and an analysis shows it to be a fair sample, conttining about half the amount of tannin usually occurring in the best wattle barks. The tannin is good, quick in ils action, and might be used for local tanning. F. Fl., pl. 25. n. (The Black Bean Flowers.) CASTANOSPERMUM AUSTRALE, A. Cun F. Flug pl.26. vA = / Tv y Th : : aS CK J a Ww 2 Re NG \ ») \ vi . CASTANOSPERMUM AUSTRALE, A. Cunn. (The Black Bean Fruits.) 215 On the anhydrous bark the following results were obtained :— Total extract, 23-1 per cent. Non-tannin, 5-1 per cent. Tannin, 18:0 per cent. absorbed by hide powder. If these results are calculated in ordinary air-dried bark containing 13 per cent. of moisture, the statement would be :— Total extract, 20-1 per cent. Non-tannin, +4 per cent. Tannin, 15:7 per cent. absorbed by hide powder. Yours, &c., 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 was 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 Wales 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. (Myr. Forester Martin, Gosford.) Timber pinkish, sometimes with beautiful figure. hard and tough and very lasting, even on exposure to the weather. The surface of the heart-wood turns quite red after short exposure 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- Luilding, and generally well adapted for cabinet work. (Mr. Forester Rudder, Tooral.) 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 fine polish, and is often used for cabinet work, as it shrinks very little. It makes a good lining for a house. I have heen shown a house twenty years old lined with this timber sawn green. The wood 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 Innes.) Mr. Walter Hill, of Queensland, says of it:— The wood is hard, close-grained, durable, and will take a high polish. It is 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 60 or 70 feet; very exceptional up to 3 feet in diameter. (Mz. Forester Rudder.’ 216 Habitat—Found in the coast and mountain brushes from the Shoalhaven morthwards from south to north of Queensland. In New South Wales the 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 brush forests on Jilliby, Wyong, and 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. Forester Macdonald, KKempsey. ) 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, (b) Petal, including the stamen (c), (d) Disk, filling the calyx-tube, (e) Lobed style. B. Vertical section of flower—(a) Sepal, (0) Petal, including the stamen (c), (d@) Disk, filling the calyx-tube, (e) Lobed style. c. cl. Different views'‘of stamen. pv. Petal, including the stamen. gE. 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. Tue Rusty Fic. Botanical Name—Ficus (Latin), a fig or fig-tree; rubiginosa (Latin), rusty. Vernacular Names —* Port Jackson Fig,” “ Wlawarra Fig,” from the best. 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” (J’. 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 #’. 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 Agricultural Gazette, 18938, page 609 and 1894, page 206. F. FI., pl. 6. Hy tf tf f j i} fe di (The Red Ash.) ALPHITONIA EXCELSA, Reissek. 217 The Small-leaved Fig (Ff. rubiginosa, 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 dropped from these trees. Flowers.—The structure of the inflorescence 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 the 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 “big.” The fruits of F. rubiginosa, 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 states. that they are caten by the Port Curtis (Q.) blacks. Fibre—tThe fibre of the root of this tree is of great durability, and is used by the aborigines 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, ngain, and these are very characteristic, send out towards the bas® flat and wing-like projections. These projections are thin slabs radiating from the main trunk, from which they stand out like buttresses of a Gothic cathedral. They rise to various heights on the tree, from 5 or 6 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 rvuots. These buttresses are sometimes so large that the spaces between them, if roofed over, would form huts capable of containing Several persons. Their use is evidently to give the tree an extended base, and to assist the subterranean roots in maintaining in an erect position so lofty a column, crowned hy a broad and massive head of branches and foliage. (“Tropical Nature and other Essays,” Wallace, page 31.) Timber.—The. timber is soft, brittle, and’ spongy; it is, however, some- times used) for packing-cases. It is light 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 Ib. 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 botanists as specifically identical with our Pert 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 thing to see a huge tree being completely enveloped in the aerial roots of a fig, which finally smother the host tree out of existence so completely that it would not be known that the fig is taking the position of another unless the process of strangling had been observed. Even in colder New England Mr. A. R. 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 stems, enclosing and, 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 Rivers. Habitat—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. . Female flower. . Male flower. . A receptacle (fig.): . Longitudinal section of the same. AsaW F. Fl. pl. 2. oa, (AAT A\| ANN y RRR FICUS RUBIGINOSA, Desf. (The Rusty Fig ) PAGE. Aboriginal methods of procuring water.. 8 Aboriginal shields ...........0..:.cccsseeeeeee 29 Acacia aneura F.v.M. 105 Arundelliana Bail. .... 120 Baileyana F.v.M. 133 binervata DC... 119 Cambagei, R. T, Baker .... 99 Cunninghamii Hook, ae aes ai 107 dealbata Link ......5.. 120 decurrens Willd. ............. 120 var, dealbata F.v.M. ........00ceseeee 120 var. lanigera Maiden ............ 120,132 var. Leichhardtii Benth. ...... 120,128 _ var. mollis Lindl. ...... eee 120,124 var. normalis Benth ............:ee 120 var. pauciglandulosa F.v.M. 120, 127 ¥ wgacelan Benth) sccuvsssueraresteeseerantes 101 Georginm Buil......... 100 harpophylla F.v.M. ........+. 100 homalophylla A. Cann. .... 96 melanoxylon R. Br, .......4- 115 mollissima Willd. 120 Oswaldi F.v.M. ....... 96 pendula A. Cunn. 94 penninervis Sieb. ...... 111 pycnantha Benth. .... 109- salicina Lindl. .........- 103 var. varians., er 103 stenophylla A. Gunn, cuinese 104 Alphitonia excelsa Reissek .. 214 Angophora lanceolata Cav. 80 Anomalous Group ........ 40 Apple, Mulga ......... 106 Smooth-barked ..... 80 Apple-tree, Mountain .............. 80 Araucaria Cunninghamii Ait. ... 152 ASH ssondacecsasvaaiervisioncon vadesieomns 202 BlaGke ssczes sivas teapeewecusaditigesavers 67 Crow’s .... 196, 198 4 . Meuntain.. 66, 203 * BROMsca se ccssascaaaonauic ts 214 Australian Sandarac ........csccecceeeeees 157 Bik ai sswoevewsdeeouenuerceneeweawer oenasneeeete 104 Balaar ....... 94 Balkura 104 Bangalay ....... 32 Bastard Box... 74 Tronbark . 67 Matogany anda 32 PS MVS sian caed beatin coe cauie 107 Stringybark 69 ead Tree 148 ean, Black 212 Red .........-. 146 Bee planta -sisiseisssseansteedieassenisraanents 73 PAGE. Beech: ch vias cenedenensteaneneatevevcadeneatenade 205: Flindosy ....... 202 Negro Head, 205 DGaly a asus eaneeeetoien 210 OBE xed reiccnccactnenemictboanig 210 White .. 205. MOL OW, sishisn tavedien sntenite's oendeemeseucmiecs 210 Beefwood 177, 195. Westerti cssscaedeiiveedniceatlidteenh ies 176. Belah ... 182 Belbowrie. 87 Bembil ....... 73 Berry Pine 170 Bibble......... 73 BUM Leh sonics ied oun rasaouvewecevause cased doaites 182 Bimble Box ......... 28,78 Birds and Animals............c:c::seeseeeeeeee 8 Black Ash ......... 67 Bean ....... 212 Box. .cieseve 27, 36 Tronbark 24. Mail gas. saedeuerigarecagnn een cawnerecnens 106 OAR cis cnnarconwnsuetavtien satier aeetasd es 18 90 Pine ....... ..157, 163, 166, 167, 168 - She Oak: ..c.eckocsoiedecsene deste verses 187 Silky Oak .. 173 PUT Pen tiie. p0:0ce cca cevevionencinavencnnnce sone 88 Wattle ............... 107. 109, 111, 119, 123 Black-hearted Wattle .....ccceceeecee ee nes 15 Black butts vais ssccesecndeeses : 59 Blackwood .. . 1s Bloodwood..... 7 49 Blue Gum ...... , 7 Blue Gum Flat ... oe 33. Blue-leaf Tronbark. : 23. Stringybark . . : 55 _ Bogum-Bogum.,.. . 198 Bolly Gum ....... . 210 Booligal....... . 27 Boree .......20005 : 94. Bosisto’s Box ... 3 74 Box bark.......... ae 73 Bastard .. ie 74 Bimble..... .. 28, 78 Black ...... 27, 36 Broad-leaf. 63 Brush ........ 82 Drooping .... 27 Dwark vise: 3k Flooded 27,30 GOSS ssn cestoersinect starred mes: 78 Grey ...: 73, 74, 75 Minty: sissieva vonsnineananwssasoancaeaodensanens 78 Poplar-leaved ... 78 Redisonsivvosniawes 74 River ......... “ee 27 Round-leaf...............066 Side eanatuuniee 18 PAGE, OSGi casita aissararodiciibeite vis imouircipeeisinsbiecoins 82 _ Shiny-leaved . incon 78 ;. Swamp White. cccccsigucssesseeseceeeeeee- 27 We WDTES oe ccaizarensncos amination anre 73, 78, 82 : SVEN ON sa, csestasricizpc shai tisneseecsontonseaciiedat 76 Boxes, Pale.. ae vie: Brigalow dena sioeise ae 00 Broad-leaved Base Judie ieaieemeemeyie saan y ER 63 Pronbark: suavsvuenasceepwenmcmneeoa 23 Messmate ... oe O85 TL Mulga ...... 106 - Stringybark 54 Tea-tree .... it 86 Wattle: ccccsennonne we 109) Broughton Willow .. ve, 108 Brown Pine............- 170 Stringybark ... 54,70 Brush Bak wns iss a 82 Pine ......... exe PULPOn tines smenaawmnereemenandenes 90 Bull: ale 2ecenen 182, 199, 193 Butter ORGS .ctheeses coca aaronnsewesmmenne 153 Buttress stems .......ecccceecseceeeseeeeees 217 MGSO OU CAO Le cesaasisaneatrecetnacrntammncaeennens 87 Calhiris calcarata BuBr. ....ccccccceccseeeees 166 Columellaris Pi Me