442 ON GRASS-TREE GUM, 



Xanthorrhcea Preissii, Enill., B.Fl.,vii., 117. 

 " Boro Blackboy." 

 Syn. X. Drummondi, Harv. 

 Found in Western Australia. 



This grows from 20-30 feet high, and is said to produce more 

 resin than any other Western species. From its tenacity, it is 

 used by the natives in making their hatchets, hammers, &c., and 

 in fixing the glass to their spears. They also are said to make 

 from it a bright yellow paint, with which they smear their bodies. 



This species is referred to in the following : — 



"In 1854, Captain Wray, R.E., submitted a Report to the 

 authorities of Western Australia on the manufacture of illumi- 

 nating gas from grass-trees, at one-third the expense of lighting 

 with oil and candles. The method of obtaining the material was 

 as follows: — In the first instance, the leaves and resin were 

 separated from the core by breaking up the plant with an axe, 

 and sifting the resin from the leaves ; but it was found by 

 experience that as much gas was obtained from an equal weight 

 of the leaves and resin tegether as from the resin alone. The 

 quantity of resin obtained from an average " grass-tree " was 

 about 45 lbs. weight. This was collected easily at the rate of 

 5 lbs. per hour by a person with an axe and sieve. The quantity 

 of pure gas obtained was at least 4 cubic feet to the pound of resin 

 and leaves; but much more might be obtained by a more complete 

 apparatus. A cart-load of the plants, eight in number, weighed 

 1048 lbs. When the core was removed, the leaves and resin 

 weighed 628 lbs. The core is very good fuel when mixed with 

 other wood. The specific gravity of the gas is '888. The products 

 of the distillation are gas, tar, and coke. The tar obtained was 

 about one quart for every ten pounds, and this, when re- 

 distilled, gave 8 per cent, of naphtha, and 20 per cent, of a 

 sweet, spirituous, non-inflammable liquor. The coke remaining 

 was about one-quarter the original weight, and with other fuel 

 burns well. The coke of the leaf has a bright, shining appearance, 



