TIMBERS OF THE COLOXF. 173 



The tallow-wood (E. vnrroconj.^, F.v.M.), v.-liich docs not extend 

 south of tlie Hawkesbiiry J^iver, is 11 picturesque tree. The timber is 

 so valuable (it is easily worked, is of good appearance, shrinks litth", 

 and is very durable), that the opinion is generally held by experts 

 that, next to ironbark, it is our most valuable hardwood. When 

 freshly sawn it is of a canary-yellow (rarely reddish) colour, but its 

 most remarkable property is its gr(>asy nature, which is turned to 

 practical account in the laying of ball-room Huors. 



Spotted gum (E. maculata, Hook, f.), a tree with a smooth bark, 

 with the outer layer peeling off in blotches, giving it a spotted 

 appearance, is found both north and south of Sydney. It is a timber 

 that has probably suffered both from unqualified praise, and from 

 unreasoning prejudice. Its sap-wood is Avorthless, being more ready 

 to decay than perhaps that of any other hardwood in New South 

 Wales ; its heartwood is perhaps below the average as regards brittle- 

 ness. But, given mature spotted gum, with its sap and heart carefully 

 removed, it is an admirable timber, in some respects unrivalled 

 amongst colonial timbers. For toughness and elasticity it is simply 

 unrivalled amongst our hardwoods, rendering it a formidable rival to 

 American hickory for carriage-building. As regards its durability, 

 we have indisputable evidence of its value in such trying situations 

 as wood-pavements, tram-rails for logs from forest to mill, &c. 



Grey box (E. hemijMoia, F.v.M.) is a tough, inlocked timber, really 

 valuable for purposes where these properties are brought into play. 

 For instance, it can be recommended with confidence to railway-carriage 

 builders and others, who require a strong, durable timber for framing, 

 &c. The pastoralist looks upon his tree with especial favour, as usually 

 indicative of good grazing country. 



Bed Hardicoods. 



Timbers of this class bear a good reputation for durability, con- 

 sequently we sometimes hear a person say " send me only red hard- 

 woods.'^ The idea has arisen because some of our Red Hardwoods are 

 amongst the most durable of our timbers, but it should not be forgotten 

 that timbers at least as durable are to be found amongst our Pale 

 Hardwoods. Consequently a purchaser who insists on a red timber, 

 limits his choice, and shuts himself out from what experts consider to 

 be the most durable of our timbers. 



One of the best, and perhaps the best of our timbers belonging to 

 the Red class, is the so-called red mahogany fE. res in if era, Sm.), a 

 rough-barked, handsome tree mostly found in the northern forests. 

 It resists destructive agencies of all kinds. It resembles the AVestern 

 Australian jarrah a good deal, and, in my carefully-formed opinion, 

 is quite as durable a timber. I have seen jarrah as well as red 

 mahogany attacked by cobra, but the mature timber of both trees is 

 excellent. Red mahogany has a rich, handsome colour, hence it is 

 used for substantial furniture. 



Grey gum {E. j^ropinqua, Deane and Maiden) is a timber which 

 resembles red ironbark a good deal, to which, however, it is inferior 111 

 strength. Its durability is, however, notorious, and for such purjx.ses 

 as posts, paving-blocks, &c., it can hardly be excelled. A drawback lu 



