100 



Leaves. Its evil-smelling foliage renders it of little or no value to the 

 stock-owner, except perhaps for camel-feed. 



There is ano'ther Queensland Gidgee (Acacia Georginrp, Bail.), also with 

 .a disagreeable odour. So far as I know, these are the only two Gidgees. 



The chief distinction between the two species is in the pods and seeds. 

 Timber. 



Hard, close-grained, often interlocked, of a dark reddish or almost black 

 colour. It is very durable, and Mr. R. H. Cambage records an instance of its 

 having been used as fence-posts for over thirty years. (R. T. Baker.) 



It is much used for fencing posts, and lasts well : also a first-class firewood, 

 being a good, if not better, than Mallee roots. The white ash is sometimes 

 used for whitewash. It also makes good picture-frames and walking-sticks, 

 especially if ringed. (R. J. Dalton, Wanaaring.) 



In western New South Wales the wood is considered very durable, and is, 

 'therefore, used for the lining of wells, but then it is said to give 'the "water 



a bad taste for several years. Perhaps this is owing to the presence of a 

 -saponin. It has been stated that the wood has a bad smell like the foliage, 



particularly when burned, but this is a mistake. 



The beautiful parallel markings often seen in this wood, which then takes 

 the name of " Ringed Gidgee," are caused by a uniform wavy grain. This 

 form is very well known, and leads to its extensive use for small ornamental 

 articles, particularly stockwhip handles and walking sticks. Mr. R. H. 

 Cambage has some notes on Ringed Gidgee in the Proceedings of the 

 Linnean Society of New South Wales for 1902, p. 563. 



Size. A small or medium sized tree. 



Habitat. The interior of Australia generally. For example: In New 

 South Wales, Bourke, and Brewarrina. and beyond the Darling River; 

 Western Queensland; also the northern areas of South Australia. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 121. 



A. Flowering branch. 



B. Flower-head. 



c. Individual bud. 



D. Flower. 



E. Flower, opened out, showing () Calyx, (I) Corolla, (c) 



Stamens, (d) Pistil. 



F. Pod. 



o. One valve of a pod showing seeds. 



Acacia TiarpoahyHa, P.v.M. 

 THE BRIGALOW. 



Botanical Name. Harpophylla, from two Greek words (li)a'rpe, a 

 , scimitar, and pliu(y}llon, leaf, in allusion to the curved, scimitar-shaped 

 leaves. 



Vernacular Name. The common " Brigalow," so called because it forms 

 :the scrubs of that name; the meaning of the word is unknown. 



It is a thoroughly well recognised vernacular name, but because I imagine 

 it is of aboriginal origin, a note will be found imder " Aboriginal Names." 



