8

C—3d

timber of great strength, density, and durability, suitable for the heaviest constructive works, shipbuilding, &c.; others yield timber better adapted to general building-purposes, for wheelwrights work, furniture, &c. The leaves of many species yield a valuable oil, which now forms an important manufacture in Australia. Several species exude a valuable manna, and others afford large quantities of gum-kino. The bark of others is valued for the large amount of tannin which it contains, in some cases amounting]to 20 per cent. _ For the greater part of the information contained in the following list I am indebted to Daron von Mueller's " Eucalyptographia," or to private notes received from him during a correspondence extending over several years. One species, Eucalyptus globulus, will doubtless become naturalized in the colony. In some situations self-sown seedlings are abundant, and in one or two rjlaces have attained the height of Eucalyptus amygdalina {Labill.), "White Peppermint Gum," "Giant Gum," &c—The loftiest tree in the world, attaining the extreme height of 470ft., but usually much smaller. Wood useful for general building-purposes where great strength is not required; of rapid growth, and more hardy than the common " blue-gum: " a valuable tree for inland and subalpine situations. Its leaves afford a large percentage of oil, I,ooolb. weight of the leaves yielding 500oz. of oil, according to Baron von Mueller. . . E. eugenioides {Siebcr), " White Stringy-bark Tree."—A noble species, often attaining a height of over 200ft. in poor land, and affording durable timber for general purposes, although not so highly valued for its fissile properties as other stringy barks. E. piperita {Smith), "Peppermint Gum."—Trunk about 3ft. in diameter, affording a useful timber of considerable value, but inferior to other species in strength and durability. E. pilularis {Smith), " Blackbutt."—Varying in height from 120ft. to 300ft., occasionally with a massive trunk, 10ft. to 15ft. in diameter, affording valuable timber for general purposes. E. obliqua (L'Heritier), "Messmate," " Stringy-bark."—A rapid-growing species, of medium dimensions, affording durable timber for general purposes, easily worked, and remarkable for its fissile properties. A valuable species for poor soils. E. hamiastoma {Smith), "White-gum Tree."—A small tree, chiefly valuable on account of its growing freely on sandy land. E. microcarys (F. Mueller), " Tallow wood."—This species attains the height of 100ft., with a trunk from 3ft. to 6ft. in diameter. Timber easily worked, durable, does not split or twist. Only suitable for the North Island. E. marginata {Smith), " Jamah."—A noble species, attaining a large size and producing timber of great strength and durability, yet of fine, even grain, so that it is easily worked. It is suitable for all building-purposes—flooring-boards, scantling, weatherboards, or sawn shingles. For shipbuilding it stands next to English oak; it is superior to the teak of India and the greenheart of South America. It stands second to the totara of New Zealand for marine piles and structures exposed to the attacks of teredo, but is of more rapid growth. It is excellent for railway-sleepers, bridges, &c, while it is largely employed by the wheelwright. Timber, said to be jarrah, was employed in the construction of the bridge across the Manukau Harbour, between Onehunga and Mangere, where it was speedily riddled t>y teredines. This occurrence is so directly opposed to the bulk of evidence in favour of the true jarrah being able to resist the attacks of boring molluscs and Crustacea that it can only be explained by the supposition of the timber of some other eucalypt having been substituted. The amount of evidence in its favour is overwhelming. Sapling poles and old piles are uninjured after exposure to the attacks of teredo for thirty years. It appears to be of slow growth when planted in the vicinity of Melbourne. In Auckland plants raised from seed received by the present writer from Baron von Mueller attained the height of 10ft. the second year. One of the most valuable trees at our command for planting on open spaces in kauri forests, and other places north of the Auckland Isthmus, but not suitable for the climate of the South Island. E. paniculata {Smith), "Red Ironbark."—Not of the largest dimensions, but affords a durable timber, more easily worked than some of its allies, and suited for general building-purposes, railway-sleepers, &c. . E. leucoxylon {F. Mueller), "Ironbark" of Victoria.—A moderate-sized tree, from 100ft. to 120ft. or more in height, producing a timber of great strength and durability, much in demand for railway-sleepers, mine-props, &c. The bark contains 21-94 per cent, of tannin. Suitable for poor soils, and should be extensively planted. E. polyanthema (Lebauer).— This species attains the height of 120ft. and furnishes a durable timber of great strength, valued for railway-sleepers, mining-props, &c. This species will endure a considerable degree of frost. E. crebra (F. Mueller).— A medium-sized tree, with a trunk 3ft. in diameter, affording durable timber, adapted for railway-sleepers, railway-wagons, and similar purposes. E. siderophloia {Benth.), "White Ironbark."—This is a most valuable species, affording a remarkably strong and durable timber. According to Baron von Mueller it is even stronger than hickory. Used for railway-sleepers, constructive works, wheelwrights' work, &c. It should bo extensively planted in this colony. E. diversicolor {F. Mueller), " Karri."—A noble species, attaining colossal proportions. Baron von Mueller states that trunks have been measured 300ft. in length to the first branch, and that planks can be obtained fully 12ft. in width. The timber is durable and elastic, and is valued by the shipbuilder, wheelwright, &c. The great width of planking obtained from this species renders it available for special purposes ; it is also used for masts, &c. It is a species of rapid growth under cultivation in Australia, but in all probability would not flourish south of Hokitika, in New Zealand.