

Gidgca. 



(Acacia Cambagei, R.T.B.) 



Like most Acacias of the interior, the timber is very dark coloured, close grained, 

 and heavy. When the fibres are interlocked or cross grained, it is then known as " ringed 

 Gidgea," and this is in great request for turnery, for then the wavy appearance of the 

 wood produces a pretty figure, the undulations of light and shade being very effective. For 

 this reason it is much in request for walking sticks, table legs, balusters, newel posts, &c. 

 When the late Sir George Dibbs was in " durance vile," for conscience' sake, he turned a walking 

 stick, and presented it to King Edward VII, who graciously accepted it. The result of this little 

 exchange of courtesy was that the Museum was inundated with letters from Home from 

 walking-stick makers desiring to be supplied with timber of Ring Gidgea. This ring character 

 is found to obtain in other Australian woods. The straight grained timber would be very suitable 

 for heavy cabinet work, and other solid specimens of Applied Art. In the Western area of 

 New South Wales, especially at Bourke and beyond, it is fairly plentiful, and forms the principal 

 fuel where coal is scarce. 



Description of the Tree. A medium-sized tree with pendulous branchlets, the 

 foliage of a pale or glaucous hue ; branchlets angular ; phyllodia falcate, lanceolate, 

 obtuse or slightly acuminate, up to 5 inches long, and from 5 to 9 lines broad, with 

 numerous fine parallel veins, two or three more prominent than the rest, thin or 

 membraneous. Peduncles about 3 lines long, slender in axillary clusters of about six, 

 each bearing a globular head of about twelve flowers. Sepals broad, spathulate, ciliate 

 on the upper edge, free, and less than half as long as the petals. Petals glabrous. Pod 

 flat, straight, about 3 lines long and 4 lines broad, veined, valves thin, not contracted 

 between the seeds. Seeds ovate, longitudinal, or slightly oblique, funicle short, 

 filiform, not folded nor dilated. 



Geographical Range. Interior of New South Wales and Queensland. 





91 



