BY R. T. BAKER. 609 



of the species in this section it has greatest affinities with 6'. 

 glauf-a, Siel)., and C. lepidophloia, F.v.M. The branchlets by 

 their thickness and colour distinguish it from C . stricta, Ait., and 

 other inland species. The fruits are so characteristic and constant 

 throughout its extensive range that the species cannot easily be 

 confounded with any other. 



Timber. — A hard close-grained wood. The heart wood is of a 

 deep red colour, toning off to pale towards the bark. Medullary 

 rays very pronounced, especiall}^ in a transverse section (vi'ie Mr. 

 Cambage's remarks appended). Useful for cabinet and orna- 

 mental work. 



To Mr. R. H. Cambage, L.8., Mining Surveyor of the Mines 

 Etepartment, is due the credit of having determined in the field 

 the specific differences of these two trees from cognate species, 

 particularly in regard to their timber characters, and he writes 

 concerning them : — 



' The " Belah" and " Bull Oak" are two Casuarinas growinc: in 

 the western districts of N. S. Wales. Their general appearance 

 is somewhat similar, but after a little practice they can be readily 

 identified at a distance of quite a quarter of a mile in level 

 country. 



'The most striking difference is that the "Belah" has a darker 

 and denser foliage than the " Bull Oak." The branchlets of the 

 former are finer but more numerous, and this latter fact always 

 gives one the impression that the " Belah " is a very healthy 

 looking tree, while the foliage of the " Bull Oak " looks a little 

 more sparse and of a lighter colour, that of the "Belah" being a 

 dark green. The " Belah" is cut considerably for fodder, while 

 the " Bull Oak " is little used for that purpose. On approaching 

 the two trees it becomes manifest that the bark of the " Belah" 

 is the smoother, while that of the " Bull Oak '' is considerably 

 furrowed and thicker. On cutting the trees it is found that the 

 " Bull Oak " is a mass of medullary rays, some of which are 1 of 

 an inch across as seen on the top of a stump. I have noticed them 



