TIMBERS. 521 
on the subject one can only attribute the discrepancy to the 
different circumstances under which the trees are capable of 
growing, as remarked by Baron Mueller in regard to contradictory 
evidence respecting the durability of the wood of £. saligna (vide 
supra). I have received a letter from Mr. Bauerlen, to whom I 
had referred this for the third time for further enquiry. He says: 
_«* All my enquiries about the timber of Z. Szederdana result exactly 
in what I reported of it formerly. . . It is generally considered 
a first-rate firewood, by some even the very best; in fact, the choice 
lies here between it and LZ’. s/e//ulata.’’ The following is additional 
evidence as to the durability underground of the timber. The 
timber used in the Long Tunnel Mine (a damp mine), Walhalla, 
Gippsland, “consists chiefly of £. Sieberiana, E. capitellata, E. 
obliqua, FE. amygdalina, and EF. viminalis. The first of these, 
£. Sieberiana, is by far the best; it lasts many years.” (Tisdall, 
Proc. R.S., Victoria, 1887, p. 43.) Used by wheelwrights for 
spokes and naves of wheels. (General Report, Sydney Exh., 
1879.) 
Following are ‘some samples of this timber in the Techno- 
logical Museum :— 
1. “‘Mountain Ash.” Light brown, full of shakes and 
gum-veins, difficult to work; diameter 2ft. gin. (S. and W. dis- 
tricts, N.S.W.) 2. “Cabbage Gum.’’ Reddish colour, rather 
coarse and cross-grained, very tough, moderately heavy, dresses 
fairly well on the end grain; diameter, r to 2ft.; height, 40 to 
soft. (Delegate, N.S.W.) 3. “Cabbage Gum.” . Fairly good 
to work, but full of gum-veins, seasons badly; colour, buff; weight, 
light; does not dress well on the end grain; diameter, 1 to aft ; 
height, 40 to 6oft. (Haydon’s Bog, Delegate.) 4. ‘‘ Mountain 
Ash.” Light brown colour, gum-veins, tough, and light in weight; 
easy to work. (Victoria.) 
Mr. Allen Ramsome tested samples of this timber sent 
from New South Wales to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. 
From the specimen submitted spokes were turned, casks 
made, and boards planed. ‘In all cases it proved an easy wood 
to work.” 
