185 



\ 



Casiiarina ylauca, Sieb. 



' THE SWAMP OAK. 



Botanical Name. Glauca (see the original description), in reference to 

 the .glaucousness of the brauchlets. 



Vernacular Xamcs. The commonest and must expressive name is " Salt- 

 water Swamp Oak," to distinguish it from the " Fresh-water Swamp Oak" 

 (C. C/ninhitj/iamiana). Sometimes it is simply called "Swamp Oak," or 

 merely " River Oak," but " River Oak " is a far better name for C. Cun- 

 ninghamiana, as the rivers on the banks of which C. glauca is found are- 

 only tidal. 1 reeonimend the name " Swamp Oak" for this tree, and shall 

 recommend the name '' River Oak " to be reserved for C. Cunninghamiana. 



A Inn ii/inal Xnnti's. The late Sir William Macarthur gives, in the Exhibi- 

 tion Catalogue, Paris, 1855, the name " Oomlmrra," and in the Exhibition 

 Catalogue, London, ISl'd, the name u Comburra," for the " Salt-water 

 Swamp Oak," a " tall-growing species, found only near the margin of salt 

 water; its wood not much valued." He gives the name " Coomban " for tho 

 ''Forest Swamp Oak " " usually found in groups or small detached dense 

 thickets in moist places, or ' open forest ground.' Wood much used for 

 purposes in which lightness and toughness are required." 



I am inclined to think that the names are really identical, his own, or 

 printer's errors having contributed; to the confusion. Perhaps even now 

 the correct name or names may be obtained and recorded. Mr. F. M. 

 Bailey ("Queensland Flora," p. 1490) quotes Mr. Watkins. who gives 

 " Billa " as the aboriginal name of this tree at Stradbroke Island. 



es ( Branchlets). I have seen entile leaving fair grass for branchlets 

 of this plant, and probably they will feed more or less on the "leaves" of all 

 Casuarinas. 



r. It is of a pale brown colour, redder when fresh, drying to an 

 oak-brown. A specimen of " Salt-water Swamp Oak," collected by the late 

 Sir Williaiiv Macarthur,- is so light, and has so little figure, that a second 

 glance is necessary to be quite sure that it is Casuarina wood at all. Sir 

 William says of it: ''Tall-growing; found only near the margin of salt 

 water. Wood not much valued,." 



The timber is strong and tough, and is used for staves, shingles, &c., also- 

 for rails, but not for posts. It is beautifully marked, close in the grain, 

 and rather tough; brittle. It might be useful for cabinet-work. 



A specimen from Gosford (Swamp Oak) is tough and difficult to dress. 

 The heart-wood is of a purple colour. 



It is used at Cooranbong for bullock-yokes, and at Taree for chisel- 

 handles and walking-sticks. 



Mr. District Forester Rotton, of Nowra, reports: 



The heart (red wood) of this tree makes the very best caulking mallets- 

 for shipbuilding purposes. It is also used for bullock-yokes, and handles of 

 every description. The saplings are suitable, and have been proved to be 

 excellent and very durable for rafters to buildings. 



On part of the Berry Estate they have been used, and after over fifty years* 

 use are as sound as the day when they were cut. This timber must be kept 

 dry, and not exposed to the influence of the weather. 



