50 



is reached, the seeds are very flat, and resemble Casuarina seeds. The 

 timbers are red, and appear to be like that of the common bloodwood in 

 each case. Eucalyptus seeds are worthy of fuller investigation. 



Bark. The scaly appearance of this bark is characteristic, and, should be 

 noticed. It covers the whole of the trunk, and extends to the tips of the 

 smallest branches. It is of a reddish-brown colour, and is often blotched 

 with blood-like stains of kino. 



The late Dr. 1 Joseph Bancroft stated that charcoal was made from Blood- 

 wood bark by the aborigines of Moreton Bay, and used by them as an, 

 antiseptic application to wounds. This particular species was chosen, X 

 imagine, from the scaly nature of the bark, which facilitated charcoal- 

 making. 



Timber. It owes its name because of the large quantity of blood-liko 

 fluid (gum or kino) which exudes from the tree, and which, when indurated, 

 forms the gum-veins so common in this timber. 



It is liable to shell concentrically, the spaces thus formed being often 

 filled with the red astringent substance known as " gum." It is one of the 

 most durable of all Australian timbers. It does not split at the ends when 

 exposed to the sun, as many of our timbers do. It is valuable for such 

 purposes as require a durable timber. For posts in the ground, and for use 

 in culverts, it is all but imperishable. The great drawback to this timber 

 is its liability to gum-veins, but in spite of this I look upon much of the 

 prejudice against Bloodwood as unreasonable. It would be unacceptable for 

 export, as we have abundance of better timbers, but I certainly think it 

 ought to be used more than it is where readily available. Where not too 

 defective, I should look upon it as an ideal timber for wood-paving. By too 

 defective I refer to cases where the timber shells too much; but the presence 

 of gum-veins of moderate width, in timbers such as this and Grey Gum, I 

 would not look upon as an important defect in wood-blocks, as this astrin- 

 gent "gum" tends to preserve the block rather than injure it. 1 have seen 

 timber rejected for wood-blocks because of gum-scabs and gum-veins, which 

 would, of course, be inadmissible in a furniture wood, for instance, but 

 which would in no way be detrimental to a wood-pavement. The scrupulous 

 care which is insisted upon in some contracts to reject wood-blocks because 

 of gum- veins, sometimes degenerates into mere faddism, and it is only 

 possible to select so severely, because at present we have an enormous timber 

 supply to fall back upon. I would, therefore, recommend the. framing of 

 wood-block contracts in such a way as to allow the inspecting officer some 

 latitude in dealing with timber containing gum-veins. 



Used for posts, naves, &c., also for small culverts. I would like to see if 

 used increasingly for such work as this; it would economise ironbark. It 

 is very resistant to white ant. The old wharf at Port Macquarie is laid 

 without piles, with Bloodwood stringers and Bloodwood bed, which have 

 been down forty years, and are now perfectly sound. (Written in 1895.) 



It is stated to be the most durable timber in the Cape Hawke district- 

 When it shells, it is of course useless, but when it is solid when it is felled 

 the sun never opens it out. In fact, Mr. Breckenridge, a man of very great 

 experience in timber, says that no timber stands the sun better. 



Mr. Forester Rudder says of it: 



It is not apt to warp, or rend in seasoning, and is excellent for fence-posts 

 and sleepers, and wherever round timber is required for use iu culverts ami 



