75 



The difference between /,'. Hnxixtoamt and /-'. Hiflliodnrft was long apparent 

 to me, from a careful comparison of the trees growing iu the Mitchell Itiver 

 district, and especially from distinctions which have been apparent to the 

 limber men there. The wood of this Kucalypt is much browner in colour than 

 that, of /;. nu'llioiloni, and while the timber of the latter can very rarely In- 

 split into posts or rails, that of the former, although it is difficult to split "on 

 the. quarter," is, when once ilie log is ojK'iii'd. "backed off" with great ease. 

 The principal diffen nces upon which a rapid diagnosis may he made lie in the 

 greatly superior height of /:. linxhtoaiHi, in its freer growth, the rhytiphloious 

 (tibrous) bark, the smooth up]M-r portion of the stem and limbs, and the some- 

 what larger fruit, with a narrow, compressed rim. and more deeply sunk orifice. 

 Finally the outer stamens are all provided with fertile anthers, while those 

 of E. tiK'llioilnni are anantherous. 



The timber of this tree is most durable, and is one of the most, serviceable 

 <-f tin- Kucalypts of Victoria, especially for work which is exposed to damp. 

 (A. W. Ilowiit.i 



In the above pa>-age. where E. liusixiuttiia occurs, there is E. odorata in. 

 tlie original, as .Mueller made 1 that species very comprehensive, and after- 

 wards carved E. ttosistoana out of it. 



Mr. Ilovritt subsequently wrote to me: " The greatest care should he taken 

 to preserve this timber, for the reason that where works of construction 

 require i-rer.t durability and strength combined with length of material, 

 there is no Victorian Kucalypt to compare with this." 



" Red Box abounds in this district, and I am assured by persons who are 

 competent to judge, equal, if not superior, to Ironbark for strength and 

 durability. Recommended to be tested for sleepers and bridge-building." 

 (The late Forest Ranger Benson, Waonga, N.S.W., writing in 1893.) 



1 have a specimen of the same timber, called u Grey Box/' from the 

 Muckindary Bridge, Hombala, 1ST.S.W., part of a pile nineteen years in the 

 md. It is quite sound, but has split badly. 



The following notes concerning the same timber I obtained verbally from 

 Mr. A. K. Crawford, of Wingello, N.S.W. : 



" A splendid timber, no faults of any kind. Good for wheelwrighting, 

 shafts, and all frame work." 



Mr. Crawford further says that it is the best Box lie has ever worked, and 

 ho has worked that of Hill Top, Orange, &c. 



It will be observed that all these witnesses uniformly speak most highly 

 of this timber. 



It is a brown timber, drying paler. It is hard, and without gum veins. 

 The tree has good clean stems and smooth branches. 



Siz4. This tree grows to 200 feet, or in exceptional cases to perhaps ~~>u 

 feet in height. (A. \V. Ilowitt, loc, cit.) 



Habitat. So far as we know at present, it is confined to eastern Xe\v 

 South Wales, from the Parramatta district, and the lllawarra and the 

 southern tableland, in the north as far as Xorth Gippsland (Bairns.dale dis- 

 trict), Victoria, in the south. 



!N"EW Sot'Tii WALES. 



" Stony Ranges called Mountain Hut Range, near Eden, Twofold Bay " 

 (Old field.) 



Bega district: also "Red. Grey, White Box," Cobargo (J. S. Allan); Mt. 

 Dromedary (Miss Bate) ; "Grey Box," Noorooma (A. Langley) : abounds in 

 Wagonga district (F. R. Benson) ; " Grey Box " ( J. V. de Coque) ; and 



