44 



The quantity of caoutchouc in Eucalyptus leaves has not been ascertained. 

 So far as I am aware, but it is not likely ever to be a commercial source of 

 that article. Mr. II. G. Smith has published a paper on this substance in. 

 Eucalyptus corymbosa and some species of Anyophora in Proc. Roy. SOG., 

 N.S.W., XL ii. 133 (1908). 



Fruit. Note the shape of the fruit, which is often like a small form of 

 the Bloodwood (E. corymbosa). Note the tubercular prominences which are- 

 often seen on the fruit. 



Timber. Following are extracts from a Report on Spotted Gum, drawn 

 up by Messrs. G. S. Gowdery, J. V. de Coque, and the author, a Committee 

 appointed by the Minister for Mines and Agriculture to investigate it. 

 The full report will be found in the Agricultural Gazette for April, 1896 : 



Spotted Gum is a timber in regard to whose merits or demerits there exists 

 very strongly-formed opinions, which are, in some cases, we are afraid, rather 

 the result of tradition than of personal obseryation and experience. 



That Spotted Gum timber has been used in the past to a considerable extent 

 in paving the streets of Sydney is beyond doubt. We have taken the precau- 

 tion to secure and carefully examine a considerable number of blocks from 

 various parts of the city, not only of Spotted Gum, but also (for purposes of 

 comparison as regards durability) other hardwoods used for a smilar purpose. 

 We have devoted a considerable amount of time to the diagnosis of these 

 different timbers, which has helped us considerably in arriving at a unanimous 

 opinion. We recognise that there are conflicting interests involved in the' 

 Spotted Gum question. But the fact must be borne in mind that if the export 

 trade of hardwoods, particularly for wood-blocking purposes, shall acquire, 

 and continue to maintain, the dimensions we believe to be in store for it, we 

 shall require all our suitable hardwoods for shipment, and we think that 

 there will not only be lucrative employment for existing sawmills, but also 

 for fresh ones in new forests in different parts of the State. 



We have no hesitation in stating that Spotted Gum, subject to certain condi- 

 tions which we shall enumerate, compares favourably with the other timbers 

 we have examined, and we recommend its use for wood-blocking in Sydney, 

 as well as for export, but subject to strict supervision as regards quality. 



TIMBERS MISTAKEN FOR SPOTTED GUM. 



To add to the inherent difficulty of the subject, some of our correspondents 

 are under the impression that the Spotted Gum of New South Wales (and 

 Queensland) is identical with that of Victoria. The Spotted Gum of New 

 South Wales (Eucalyptus vMciilata) does not extend to Victoria, and the Vic- 

 torian Spotted Gum, whose botanical name is Eucalyptus goniocalyx is :m 

 inferior timber to it. 



Another correspondent alludes to a bastard Spotted Gum at Orange, which 

 IB a most inferior timber ; we know of others in the Mudgee and Queanbeyan 

 districts, both nearly worthless timbers, and any impression that they were 

 varieties of the true Spotted Gum would be injurious to the reputation of 

 that timber. 



Mr. Forester MacDonald has seen the Smooth-barked Apple (Anfjophora 

 lanccolata), which somewhat resembles the Spotted Gum in bark, cut up for 

 Spotted Gum. Angophora timber is very inferior, and, if passed as Spotted 

 Gum, would undoubtedly prejudicially affect opinion in regard to the merits of 

 that timber. A certain amount of discrepancy in regard to reports is also to 

 be accounted for by wrong diagnosis of timbers. Blackbutt, Stringybark, and 

 even White Gum, .of coarse, wavy grain, have all been sent to us as Spotted 

 Gum, to which they bear a superficial resemblance more or less strong. 



SPECIFIC USES TO WHICH SPOTTED GUM HAS BEEN PUT. 



Our correspondents have used Spotted Gum for railway fencing, hammer 

 and axe handles, way-levers, shipbuilding, paving-blocks, sleepers, decking and 

 deck guards for bridges and wharfs, girders in bridge and flood openings, house 



