178 Linnean Society. [Nov. 7? 



The Manna Gum-tree {Eucalyptus mannifera) is also of large 

 growth, with widely spreading branches. Its manna drops in a 

 liquid state most plentifully in the summer from the flowers and buds 

 of the young shoots into the leaves, where it quickly becomes hard- 

 ened, and falls thence to the ground in irregular lumps. It has a 

 sweet agreeable taste, and is said to have all the properties of the 

 manna of the shops. The wood contains a large quantity of saccha- 

 rine sap, which soon becomes acid, and it is to this cause that Mr. 

 Suttor attributes the jDower of resisting fire, so remarkable in all the 

 Gum-trees, and which renders them peculiarly valuable in building 

 houses. 



Another species of Eucalyptus, the so-called Mountain-ash, which 

 grows in the Blue Mountains, is a very fine timber- tree, which splits 

 freely into long pieces and is brought to Paramatta for chair-rafts, 

 &c. Its wood is very strong and elastic, and said to be equal in 

 those respects to any wood in the world. 



The Forest-mahogany of the colonists (^Eucalyptus robusta, Smith) 

 has strong large spreading branches, forming a very large head, and 

 sweet-scented flowers. Its wood is heavy and close-grained, resem- 

 bles the mahogany of Jamaica, and is used in Sydney for making 

 chairs and bedsteads. 



The timber-trees not belonging to the order Myrtacece consist of 

 a few species of Conifera, the Casuarinee, and the so-called Cedar 

 (Cedrelu Toona, Roxb.), the wood of which very much resembles the 

 Honduras mahogan}^ and is very valuable to the colonists in fitting 

 up their houses, making furniture, &c. The tree is of large growth, 

 and has not been found in the interior, but generally on the low 

 grrounds of the coast rivers. 



November 7. 



R. Brown, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 



A letter was read from the Baron de Gersdorff", Resident Minister 

 of the King of Saxony, addressed to the President, and stating that 

 " the King will feel highly gratified in seeing his name enrolled on 

 the list of Honorary Members of the Linnean Society of London, and 

 that his Majesty has accordingly been graciously pleased to accept 

 the Diploma transmitted by your Lordship, as President." 



