114 
EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 
of the picture and between it and the further hut there is a 
stack of wood split ready for turning. 
Fig. 2. A front view of a thatched hut; shavings and wood 
chips are piled against the hut and cover the ground. The 
lathe pole is attached to an upright post in front of the hut 
and passes over the entrance into the hut; on the left a 
workman is spliting the logs into sectors. A stack of split 
wood ready to be turned may be seen at the back of the 
tree near the hut. 
X.—MALLET BARK. 
(Eucalyptus occidentalis, Endl., var. astringens, Maiden.) 
Mallet Bark is one of the more important of the many tanning 
materials that have appeared in European commerce during recent 
years, and though considerable doubt existed for a time as_ to 
its botanical origin, its value as a tanning agent was readily 
recognised. 
The early history of the commerce in this bark, which is a 
product of Western Australia, is given by Mr. E. M. Holmes in 
the Pharmaceutical Journal, February 4th, 1905, p. 141, under the 
name of Eucalyptus occidentalis, the name having been determined 
from flowering specimens of the plant received from a correspondent 
in Albany, Western Australia. 
In the article referred to, the writer draws attention to the fact 
that some of the commercial bark is evidently derived from another 
species of Eucalyptus, an opinion confirmed by Mr, Maiden in the 
w 
. 
communication printed belo 
Mr. Holmes, quoting from Der Gerber, xxx. December 15th; 
1904, indicates that the following percentages of tannin available 
for leather manufacture are contained in the bark, viz., young bark 
35 per cent.; medium bark 40 to 50 per cent.; old bark 39 to 
70 per cent., giving an average of about 38 per cent. A specimen 
of the powdered bark analysed by Professor H. R. Procter gave 
tanning matter absorbed by hide 54°5 per cent.; soluble non- 
tanning matter 8 per cent., matter insoluble in water at 15° C., 
25°3 per cent., and 11°6 per cent. water. The tintometer colour 
measurement of solution containing 0°5 per cent. of tanning matter 
in 1 cm. cell is given as red 3:0, yellow 8:6. Procter adds that 
there is no question that “it is one of the strongest natural tanning 
materials we have had through our hands.” 
The tanning matter when extracted has a cinnamon-brown colour. 
It is said to act quickly and easily, and to tan fully. But there 
appears to be some doubt as to the best method of using it, since 
