) 



Hoop Pine. 



(Araucaria Cunninghamii, Ait.) 



This Conifer is one of the giants of these scrubs, and some millions of feet have been 

 drawn from these primeval forests since the occupation of this continent by the white man, 

 being one of the few pale, soft timbers of this country. It is light in weight and colour, free 

 working, possesses all the characteristics of a Pine timber, and is used extensively for flooring , 

 linings, mouldings, skirtings, doors, and joinery generally, in addition to all the cheaper kinds 

 of cabinet work. It can also be used for panelling in railway carriages. Decays quickly on 

 exposure to dampness. 



Description of the Tree. This is one of the largest of Australian Pines, attaining 

 sometimes a height of 200 feet. The bark is characteristic, having the appearance of 

 horizontal bands (hence the name Hoop Pine), and is hard, compact, and permeated 

 with oleo-resin cells. Leaves are dimorphic, being crowded, spirally arranged, imbricate, 

 incurved, 3 to 4 lines long, ribbed, pungent, pointed, in one case, and on the lower branches 

 spreading, straight, vertical, decurrent, and sometimes over an inch long. Male amentum 

 sessile, cylindrical, compact, 2 to 3 inches long, about 4 lines in diameter ; the scale-like 

 apices of the stamens are ovate-rhomboidal and acute. 



Fruit cones ovoid, about 4 inches long and 3 inches in diameter, the scales broadly 

 cuneate, the original sporophyll apex developing into a recurved, rigid, acute point. 



Geographical Range. Confined to the scrubs of the North Coast districts of New 

 South Wales and Southern Queensland. 



165 



