87 



Nuuiba has little or no sandy soil, but out " Warri Warri" (this won!, I 

 always think, is wrongly spelt, more likely a final "a" instead of "i"; 

 "Warm Warm " means rain), there arc miles of sand; I have often seen the 

 Broad-leaved Tea-tree growing as I passed along. Again, on " Cornarong 

 Island,'' between -Numba and the sea, 1 lind sand and the Tea-trees. 



It may be, of course, that the township was named Nnmba after the trees, 

 although Numba trees may not be on the exact site of the township. 



It is " Belbowrie," or " Belbourie," of the county of Gloucester, as far as 

 Kempsey at least, hence the place-name Belbowrie, near Krambach, New 

 South Wales. 



Leaves Oil. The young leaves are bruised in water and the liquid drunk 

 for headaches and colds, and general sickness; the bark is also used for 

 bedding, &c., on the Mitchell River, Queensland (E. Palmer). But by far 

 the most important use of this tree is for the oil the leaves contain; this is 

 the well-known " Cajeput oil " of commerce. 



Baric. Several species of Melaleuca have a thin papery bark which tears 

 off in several layers. It is used, amongst other purposes, by the aboriginal 

 women to wrap their children in. Mr. W. Soutter, of Brisbane, has used 

 1h<> ground paper bark of this tree for packing fruit for export. (Seo 

 Queensland Agricultural Journal, also Cape Agricultural Journal, llth and 

 25th January, 1894.) 



Timber. Exceedingly hard and cross-grained, almost imperishable in 

 moist places, but otherwise not of special merit, greatly used for ship 

 timbers, boat knees, and posts; wood much resembling that of the Melaleu-cas- 

 generally, very apt to crack and fly open on drying. 



It is hard, fairly heavy, close-grained, and not unlike Mararie in texture; it 

 makes a good club that drives well, and is of the right weight and toughness."' 

 (II. T. Baker, in Coif Illustrated, 2Sth July, 1905.) 



" Helbourie," or Broadleaf Tea-tree, makes excellent flooring and lining; 

 boards, wears well under (over and keeps white appearance; crooks made 

 out of the roots very much used in building wooden vessels ; grows to 7 or S 

 feet girth, bark also in layers similar to White Prickly Tea-tree. Both kinds 

 practically white-ant resistant." (Forest Guard McKinnon, GuJgong.) 



The timber splits fairly well, and is largely used for firewood at Balliua, 

 Richmond River. N.S.W. (J.II.M.) 



Tea-tree (Mclulcucu Iciicnilcndron. var. lancifoJiu). A fairly large tree 

 having a white spongy bark, in very thin paper-like layers. There are numerous 

 varieties, most of which may be used for the purposes mentioned below. The 

 leaves of this variety are stiff and sharply-pointed. Wood of a grey colour. 



T'sed for piles and underground work (without removal of bark) ; and, wh"ir 

 thus completely buried in the ground for drainage purposes, they have been. 

 known to last a number of years. When barked, the saplings are often used 

 in the round for rafters, &c., in outbuildings, and last a long time. (Cc.inl. 

 Queensland Forest rii Museum, 1!)04.) 



Size. Up to 40 or 50 feet, and a diameter of 1 or 2 feet in central and 

 coastal New South Wales, but attaining a large size as Queensland is- 

 approached. Mueller says it is the largest and straightest tree in the 

 Northern Territory. 



Habitat. From the Shoalhaven River, New South Wales (I do not know 

 its furthest southern locality), north right along the coast, in moist sandy 

 localities, to Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. Found also 

 in Western Australia (its precise range I do not know), in New Caledonia, 

 the whole Malayan Archipelago, and Burma. 



