ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. aa 
or their like. These are the Palmetto (Chamerops palmetto) of our southern 
coast, and the Yarrah of Australia. There are doubtless many more. (?) 
Tf at any time you visit the city, we shall take great pleasure in showing 
specimens of timber that have been tested, now in the collection of the 
California Academy of Sciences (of which your correspondent is Director in 
charge). So that no one need take second-hand opinions, or the [pse dizit of 
any one writer, author, or personal friend. This much is due, by way of 
introduction. And further, we need to be cautioned against considering that 
any one knowsit all. Much experience and careful experimentis yet requisite ; 
I trust, however, that thorough tests of all timbers, native and cultivated, 
will, ere long, be made, either at our State University or the Academy. 
If Iam right, the common Eucalyptus globulus (of which you ‘cultivate so 
much) is not an Australian Gum at all, but Tasmanian—New Zealand has 
none; if wrong in this impression, I will write again. L. globulus is greatly 
infested by beetle borers when transplanted into parks in Australia. We have 
a specimen badly eaten by the Teredo, but the card attached omits to name 
the species. 
E. rostrata.—This is the famous Yarrah (or by corruption, Jarrah of some. 
It should be noted that this name is applied by the natives, and vulgarly, to 
almost any tree). This specimen is also called Flooded Gum, Red Gum, or 
White Gum—described as a striking object on the landscape—so wild and 
picturesque ; its huge, gnarled or coiled branches—shining bark of white or 
light red—contrasting with dark masses of foliage above, and glancing shad- 
ows below, produce peculiar scenic effects of the wildest forests, awakening 
the ideas of grandeur, as the lofty object lifts its signal flags high over all the 
trees; inspiriting the thirsty, weary and worn traveller from afar with the 
living assurances of water. 
This is the true species that has proven so perfectly proof against the white 
ant and beetle borers; and altogether impervious to the Teredo that infests the 
piles of our wharves. A specimen of this timber, presented by Mr. I. C. 
Woods of this city, has stood the best of actual trial, as here seen. 
This is also largely used for railway ties, etc. The wood is solid as iron; 
specific gravity 0.858 to 0.923 or variable, and does not always bear so good a 
chazacter—climate, soil, etc., have much to do with the quality of this and all 
timber, as we know full well. A large tree, along streams or adjacent to water. 
E. tereticornis.—Called Gray Gum, often Red Gum or Blue Gum, and some- 
times Bastard Box—a very variable species. Flowers generally seven in a 
cluster; seed box has a broad rim, the valves protruding. The wood is good 
for posts and rails, or as fuel—has a beautiful grain like oak—takes a fine 
polish, and whether exposed or not is durable. Used where the Iron Bark 
cannot be had. 
E. punctata.—This is mostly termed Hickory or Leather Jacket; has rather 
spreading habit; is exceedingly tough and durable; fine for fencing, railway 
sleepers, and for fuel. The rim of this seed-vessel is not so broad, nor valves 
so prominent; there are several varieties. 
E. Stuartiana var. longifolia, is the Yellow Gum; seldom 80 feet high; timber 
good; leaves very long; valves of seed-vessel not so prominent as the preceding; 
