TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 53 



KING WILLIAM PINE {Athrotaxis selagmoides and 

 A throtaxis cupressoides — Cypress-like). 



This pine is so named froin the leaf resembling the 

 selaginela, an ornamental tree-moss well known in hot- 

 houses. It grows on the high lands in the north and west 

 from two to four feet in diameter, and forty or fifty in 

 height. It is not very plentiful. The wood varies in colour 

 from a pinkish-yellow^ to pink. It is extremely light, and 

 has a scent like cedar, from which it is called " Pencil 

 Cedar " locally. After it is planed up, there is a slight exu- 

 dation of the resin. It is used for cabinet and joiners' 

 purposes, and for making sculls for racing-boats. Notwith- 

 standing its extreme lightness, it has considerable toughness 

 and strength, and is very durable in the weather, being 

 second only to Huon pine in this respect. 



CELERY TOP PINE {Phyllocladus Rhomhoidalis). 



So called from the leaves in the young plant resembling 

 those of the celery. A heavy, strong pine, of a clear yellow 

 colour, useful for boards, internal fittings, or implements. 

 It is very tough, and the shrinkage so small that the general 

 belief is that it will not shrink at all. The smaller trees 

 furnish masts for small vessels. Though not very plentiful, 

 it is well distributed. This tree might also be very usefully 

 cultivated. 



OYSTER BAY PINE {Frenela rhomhoidea). 



A tree on the East Coast, deriving its name from the 

 locality in which it is chiefly found. It grows from ten to 

 fifteen inches in diameter. The supply of timber from this 

 tree is nominal, as the trees have been nearly all cut out, or 

 burnt, but it is a tree well worth preserving and cultivating, 

 as its timber is of extrenie durability. It makes good posts ; 

 is also used for hop-poles, gates, and carpenters' work, and is 

 a strong useful timber. It produces a fragrant resin (like 

 gum sanderach) suitable for varaish. 



