108 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



the prevalence of wood-boring insects, all timber is carefully 

 inspected. Should any be found, the timber is treated 

 with various chemicals." 



It may with safety be asserted that the depredations of 

 this beetle will not be confined to the two valuable timbers 

 in question, so we cannot be too careful. Of late years, 

 the Silky Oak has come into great prominence for furniture, 

 fittings, picture-frames, &c. With proper protection, and 

 with judicious selection, this tree should be one of the most 

 valuable timber assets of the Commonwealth. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



All timbers coming into Victoria should be critically 

 examined by an entomological expert. Where valuable 

 timbers, say for carriage building and for the better class 

 of furniture, are imported, these should be strictly quaran- 

 tined in suitable buildings, detached, if possible, from 

 factories and carpenters' shops. Chemical treatment of 

 affected timber, if it is to be effectual, must be done very 

 carefully, and at such intervals as would be justified by 

 circumstances. Fortunately, this beetle is not difficult of 

 detection ; but as the newly-hatched larvae may be at 

 work inside and out of sight, it follows that it would require 

 a trained eye to detect the trouble. 



It would also be advisable for the timber to be examined 

 by a competent person at the port of shipment, as the use 

 of affected timber may lead to most serious results. 



