610 ON TWO FEW SPECIES OF CASUARINA, 



on old exposed stumps near Forbes on which the wetithering has 

 acted more upon the wood around the edge and between the rays 

 than upon the rays theinselv^es, the effect being that towards the 

 edge of the stump the rays may be seen standing in relief like so 

 many blades while the sap and wood between have disappeared. 



'The "Belah" when cut down discloses practically no medullary 

 rays, but some very tine ones may be seen in cross sections of the 

 upper branches. My attention was tirst drawn to this matter 

 some years ago when I noticed that my axemen in splitting Oak 

 would split it, to use their own term, "on the quarter," that is 

 along the line of the medullary rays, but in splitting "Belah" it 

 would be "on the back," or at right angles to the I'ays. Knowing 

 that this course was followed because it was easier, I looked for the 

 cause and found that great assistance was obtained from the rays 

 in the Oak, and but little from the very fine ones in the "Belah." 



' Habitat. — The " Bull Oak " is generally found growing on 

 fairly level land, but not necessarily a flat, while the "Belah" is 

 usually considered as an indication of dampness, probably low 

 land subject to water in wet weather, and known as " gilgai 

 country " from the numerous natural water basins which bear 

 that name. It is not usual to find the two trees growing alter- 

 nately along any route that may be travelled, but the gi'oups or 

 belts may alternate, as, for instance, the " Bull Oak " may be 

 followed for a few iniles when it will, perhaps, cease and before 

 it reoccurs one or more belts of "Belah" may be passed. In some 

 cases the one group will continue right up to the other, so that 

 in the distance of a few chains many trees of each may be noticed.' 



I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. J. G. Luehmann, 

 F.L.S., Curator, National Herbarium, Melbourne, for his assist- 

 ance in the differentiation of these species by the loan of speci- 

 mens. 



