86 



"The trees grow to an average height of 120 feet, with an average 

 diameter of 2 feet 6 inches." (Mr. Forester Pope, Murwillumbah.) 



"Height 150 feet, diameter 3 feet." (Mr. Forester MacUoiiald, Kemp- 

 sey.) I saw trees of this size also in the Bellinger River district. 



Propagation. From seed. It is one of the best shade-trees of New South 

 iWales, is evergreen, Avith rich glossy leaves, white feathery-looking 11., \vers. 

 and fruits looking vety much like those of gum-trees. It is to be seen in 

 thousands of Sydney gardens, planted, for shade and ornament, the tree 

 being shapely as well as possessing handsome foliage. It is one of the best 

 trees for street planting in the Sydney climate, and has been largely adopts] 

 by the Municipality of Strathfield in boulevarding the streets of StrathtieM 

 and Homebush, but more extensively by Ashfield. Other municipalities 

 have used it less. It is well worthy of being planted in the play-grounds of 

 s-vhools where there is a fair depth of soil, and the climate is warm and 

 not too dry. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 17. 



A. Expanding hud. 



ij. Front view of fully expanded flower, showing staminal bundles. 



c. Vertical section of ovary, with style and stigma (petals 



removed ) . 



I). Transverse section of ovary. 

 ]:. Top view of fruit. 



Melaleuca leucadendron, L. 



THE BROAD-I.KAN KU TKA-TRKI:. 



Botanical Name. Melaleuca. from two Greek words melus (black), and 

 Icukos (white), because the trunk of the first tree described was black and the 

 branches white. The explanation probably is that trunk and brandies \\-en- 

 alike papery and white, but that the trunk (as is often the case) was charred 

 J'.v a fire, giving it a blackish appearance. Leucadendron, also from t\v<> 

 Greek words, 'Ipuko*. white, and dcndron, a tree, hence "White tree" from 

 its general appearance. Jn fact, we in Australia sometimes call it " Whi to 

 Tea-tree." 



Vernacular Name*. Like so many Australian Myrtaceous trees and 

 shrubs it is known as "' Tea-tree." Because of the broadness of its leaves it 

 i.s usually known by the name " Broad-leaved Tea-tree." It is known also 

 as " Swamp Tea-tree " because (with other species of the genus) it grows in 

 swamps. Because of the foliaceous character of its bark, which gives the 

 trunk a whitish appearance, it is known as " Paper-bark tree '' and " White 

 Tea-tree." Baron Mueller calls it the " Tropical Paper-bark tree." I have 

 heard that it is called " Milkwood " in the Northern Territory. 



Aboriginal Names. " Numbah " of the aborigines of the southern part 

 of NCAV South Wales, according to the late Sir William Macarthur. I 

 would suggest that this is the origin of the name of the township of Numba, 

 near the mouth of the Shoalhaven River. 



Following is a note by Mr. J. D. Lord, Public School, Numba, in regard 

 to my suggestion that the township may be named after the tree. 



The name Numba is generally spelt with a final double "a'' " Numban," 

 and is most certainly an aboriginal word; I have often discussed this very 

 name with old settlers, who are more or less acquainted with the early naming 

 of this district, but no two agree. 



