WATTLES AND WATTLE-BARKS. 33 



The bark is a superb one. As to the discrepancy between my analysis 

 and that of Mr. Thomas, I can state that I have proved that barks stored in 

 a dry place increase in percentage of tannic acid ; but what that percentage 

 is, or whether any generalisation can be made, my experiments hardly yet 

 warrant me in stating. Mr. Thomas' figures may have been based on a 

 very different sample of the parcel to that which has come into my hands, 

 but what the percentage of tannic acid was in my particular specimen in 

 1883, can only be guesswork. My analysis was made April, 1890. I draw 

 attention, in this context, to the footnote at page 31, in regard to my 

 analyses all being calculated on the bark freed from moisture. 



I received this particular bark from a firm of the highest reputation, and 

 I am confident that no transposition of labels has occurred in this Museum. 

 So far as I know, A. calamifolia does not attain a size sufficient to yield bark 

 similar to that under examination, and I trust that correspondents will 

 kindly enable me to state the proper position of A. calamifolia as a bark- 

 yielding wattle. 



A. calamifolia is recorded from South Australia, Victoria, and the extreme 

 west of New South Wales. 



6. Acacia armata, R.Br., E.EL, ii, 347. 



"KANGAROO THORN." 



The bark strips very easily, and the shrub never attains any size. The 

 bark is, of course, thin ; it is also smooth on the interior, and of a light- 

 browii colour. Externally the colour is of a dirty-grey, and has numerous 

 transverse markings of a lighter colour. The bark appears to be character- 

 istic of this species. As a tan bark it is useless, a specimen from Tomakin, 

 Bateman's Bay, N. S. "W., from trees 12 to 20 feet high, having a diameter 

 of from 2 to 4 inches, collected 18th June, 1890, and analysed January, 

 1891, was found to contain only 3 per cent, tannic acid, and 18*15 per cent, 

 extract. 



In New South Wales it occurs near Bateman's Bay, Mosquito Bay, and 

 Tomakin. It grows round swamps and near creeks along the sea-coast, and 

 it appears seldom to occur further than about a mile from the sea. It is 

 usually found in dense, almost impenetrable masses, which circumstance, 

 added to its prickly nature, has given it its common name, and has ako 

 caused it to come into use for hedge-planting. 



It is also found in all the colonies, except Tasmania. 



