17 



II. THE BARK OP THE EUCALYPTS. 



The bark of some of these trees is remarkable for its hardness,, 

 notably so that of the so-called iron-bark tree (Eucalyptus Leu- 

 coxylon, Fred. Mueller), which is particularly thick and rugged, 

 and studded with deposits of a dark thick gum-resin : others are 

 thick and bulky, of "a lax and what might be termed fibrous tex- 

 ture ; this especially holds good with regard to that of the so- 

 called stringybark tree (Eucalyptus obliqua, L'Heritier), which is 

 removed in large sheets and employed for roofing purposes in the 

 interior, affording a cool and effectual shelter from the sun and 

 rain. The aborigines are very dexterous in the art of separating 

 it from the tree and flattening it for the purpose alluded to. 

 Some species throw off their outer bark in longitudinal strips, 

 which hanging down from the stems and branches, present a very 

 singular appearance. Amongst a variety of material upon which 

 I experimented with the view of ascertaining their applicability 

 to paper making, were the barks of a number of species of 

 Eucalypts. From my samples of paper it was inferred thct the 

 barks of Eucalyptus obliqua, L'Her., Eucalyptus rostrata, Schl., 

 Eucalyptus amygdalina, Lab., Eucalyptus globulus, Lab., Eucal- 

 yptus goniocalyx, F. M., Eucalyptus corymbosa, Sm., Eucalyptus 

 Leucoxylon, F. M., Eucalyptus longifolia, Link., and Eucalyptus 

 Stuartiana, F. M., were all well adapted for the manufacture of 

 packing paper, mill and paste boards ; that of the E. globulus 

 possibly also for printing paper ; and that of E. obliqua also for 

 printing and even for writing paper. From this it may be in- 

 ferred that they are not unlikely to meet with applications in, 

 this branch of industry. 



The barks of many of the species are remarkable for their as- 

 tringent qualities, and upon examination were found to contain, 

 appreciable quantities of tannin. From my determinations the 

 following have been selected, which may serve to show the prob- 

 able value of the barks as tanning materials. 



