214 



Habitat. It is usually found growing in brush land of the very richest 

 soil, usually near the .banks of rivers in the Clarence, Richmond, and 

 Tweed River districts, but frequently in the scrub, a considerable distance 

 from creeks and rivers. It comes as far south as the well-known Don 

 Dorrigo Forest Reserve, in the Bellinger River district. It is also found 

 in Queensland, extending a considerable distance along the coast districts, 

 right into the tropics. 



Propagation. The tree is propagated from seed, the large " beans," and 

 can be supplied by every nurseryman. The leaves are pinnate, as shown in 

 the drawing, and in a mass are of more than ordinarily handsome appear- 

 ance. The foliage is dark, and the whole tree shapely, quite justifying 

 Cunningham's laudatory remarks in regard to it. Those who are not 

 familiar with the tree in its native habitat may see some magnificent 

 specimens in the Sydney Botanic Gardens. It is one of our most beautiful 

 native trees, always admired, and it should be more freely planted. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 2," (FLOWER). 



Flowers on last year's wood, leaflets. 



PLATE 2G (FRUIT). 

 A. Legumen (pod), 

 is. The .same, after dehiscence by both dorsal and ventral sutures. 



Alpliitonm excelsa, lleissek. 



THE RED Asn. 



Botanical Name. Alpliitonia, from the Greek alphiton signifying "baked 

 barley-meal," in allusion to the mealy nature of the cpicarp which is around 

 the seed; excelsa, Latin, signifying "high," in. allusion to the size of the 

 tree. 



Vernacular Names. " Red Ash,'' " Leather Jacket," and " Coopers' 

 Wood." In the Illawarra district of New South Wales it is called 

 "Humbug." 



Its general name is " Red Ash/' owing to the frequently bright red 

 appearance of the heart-wood. Occasionally also it is called " Mountain 

 Ash/' For obvious reasons it is sometimes known as " Coopers' Wood," 

 while its smooth compact bark is alluded to in the name of "Leather 

 Jacket." Known as " White Leaf " on the Richmond River. 



Fruit. The colour of the fruit is a dull bluish-black, which contains 

 shiny reddish-brown seeds embedded in a brown powdery substance. 



Leaves, &c. The following letter shows the tree to be a fodder plant: 



During the late drought It was found that horses and cattle ate every leaf 

 v.-ithin reach, and. at Bungawalbin. where there is a regular scrub of it, during 

 the drought the country was quite clear just as high as animals could reach. 

 Its qualities in this respect was not suspected locally, before this. It grows on 

 the very poorest sandy country, and seems to have some value as a fodder 

 plant. '(A. W. Deane, L.S.. Lismore, 30th August, 11)04.) 



Bark. 



Tin Tci-iinolof/icdl Museum. 

 Dear Mr. Maiden. 2.'5rd May. llKi.'. 



Some time ago a letter from Mr. J. Byrnes, of Macksville, Nambucca 

 River, was received through you. asking for particulars as to the tanning 

 qualities of a certain bark. The sample received was that of Ali>liitoni 

 cxcclzu, and an analysis shows it to be a fair sample, containing about half 

 the amount of tannin usually occurring in the best wattle barks. The tannin 

 is y.MXl, quick in its action, and might be used for local tanning. 



