TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 47 



This quality of timber is not to be found in large quanti- 

 ties at any point of the Island within easy reach of a ship- 

 ping port. 



GUM-TOPPED STRINGY BARK 



(Eucalyptus haemastoma.) 



A second variety of the amygdalina division is known as 

 Gum-topped Stringy Bark from the base being clothed with 

 rough hairy bark, like the Stringy Bark, while the upper 

 trunk and limbs have smooth grey bark, like the Blue Gum. 

 This tree is very plentiful throughout large districts of the 

 Island, and produces jfine straight timber ; it grows up to 

 two hundred feet in height and four feet in diameter. 



The wood is easily split, and when sawn makes excellent 

 house-framing, floor-boards, skirting-boards, &;c., but it has 

 not the strength of the Blue Gum or the Stringy Bark ; 

 neither is it so good for resisting the weather. It would 

 be an extremely valuable hardwood for any purpose not 

 requiring the utmost strength, and makes good staves for 

 casks. 



SWAMP GUM {Eucalyptus regnans). 



Swamp Gum, another variety of the amygdaliria sub- 

 division, grows to a large size, has a wood of a light brown 

 colour, which, when kept dry, is of great strength, and when 

 planed up and polished makes an excellent fumitureHWOod 

 for wardrobes, &c., and inside fittings of houses. It has a 

 bright sparkling gi^ain, and takes a very good finish. This 

 wood is discredited chiefly because it is sometimes sold for 

 Stringy Bark or Blue Gum, and used for purposes for which 

 it is entirely unfit. It is not lasting in the ground or if 

 exposed to the weather. 



WHITE OR MANNA GUM {Eucalyptus viminalis). 



A sort of willow; is called viminalis from its growing 

 upon the Viminal Hill of Rome, and White Gum is called 

 viminalis from the leaves resembling those of the Willow 

 Viminalis. Called White Gum from its very white, silvery 



