179 



Vernacular Xamc. The name Queensland Nut is in universal use, owing; 

 to the tree having been first discovered in the Northern State. It was 

 subsequently found in New South Wales also, but the first name is firmly 

 fixed, and is likely to remain so. 



Leaves. The variation in the number of leaves in the whorl arid of the 

 margin is very considerable. 



Fruit. This tree bears an edible nut of excellent flavour, relished both 

 by aborigines and Europeans. As it forms a nutritious article of food to 

 the former, timber-getters am not allowed to fell these trees. It is well 

 worth extensive cultivation, for the niits are always eagerly bought. Is 

 said to take seven years from the time the nuts are planted before the tree 

 reaches maturity and bears fruit. 



Sec an illustrated article by W. J. Allen, in Agricultural Gazette. New 

 South ir7r.s', October, 1905, p. 1020. 



Timber. Wood firm, fine-grained, and ornamental, as all Proteaceous 

 timbers are, and takes a good polish. It is of a reddish colour, and is 

 stated, to be occasionally used for staves, cabinet-work, veneers, shingles, and 

 bullock-yokes. It seems a pity to use our best nut trees for any such 

 purpose. It ought to be strictly protected by law, as a food-tree. 



Size. Rarely more than 30 feet high, with a stem diameter of 8 inches. 

 Forms a fine bushy tree under cultivation. 



Habitat. Found in most of the brush country on the Tweed and Rich- 

 mond Rivers, N.S.W. It comes as far south as near Camden Haven, which 

 I believe is the most southern limit. The Queensland localities given in 

 the Flora Australicnsis are Pine River and Moretoii Bay (W. Hill) ; 

 Pawson and Burnett Rivers (Leichhardt) ; with the leaves less toothed, and 

 the flower rather larger. , 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 40. 



A. Perianth, opened out. 



B. Sessile ovary, with long straight stylo, clavate at the end. 



(a) Hypogynous glands united in a ring round the ovary. 

 c. Anther. 



D. Fruit, showing exocarp and pntnnien. 



E. Vertical section showing two fleshy cotyledons. 



