54 WATTLES AND WATTLE-BARKS. 



furrowed, and consists of large flakes useless for tanning purposes. It, 

 however, cuts solid, and its general appearance would lead one to suppose 

 that it is richer than it is. 



Central and Northern Queensland. 



42. Acacia elata, A. Cunn., B.PL, ii, 413. 



A "MOUNTAIN HICKOEY." 



I am informed that this species is known as " black wattle," in the Kurra- 

 jong district. 



It looks strikingly like the frequently cultivated pepper-tree (Scliinus 

 molle), as regards its foliage and habit. It is one of the most beautiful of 

 the arboreous Acacias, and it frequently attains a large size, e.g., a corres- 

 pondent of mine obtained fifteen 4-bushel sacks of bark from one tree. 



A specimen of bark of this tree was analysed (Proc. R.S., N.S.W., 1888, 

 p. 271), and yielded 20'11 per cent, of tannic acid, and 36*2 per cent, of 

 extract. Height, 50 feet ; diameter, 8 inches. Flaky and somewhat rugged 

 on the outside, but often blackish, and stained with lichens, on account of its 

 habitat (gullies). This sample reminds one of that of A. decurrens when 

 young. This is a tree of local distribution, and were it more abundant it 

 would come into notice as a tanner's bark, since the sample examined 

 (obtained from Springwood, Blue Mountains), was hardly up to the average 

 quality obtainable. 



Two samples of this bark were received at ^the Technological Museum 

 May, 1890, from Kanimbla Valley, Blue Mountains ; one from a large tree 

 30 to 50 feet high, diameter, 15 inches ; the other from a small tree. 



The bark of the larger tree contained much scaly material on the outside 

 of a dark-brown colour, which, being deficient in tannic acid, detracts from 

 the value of the bark. The thickness of this bark is 1 inch, half of which 

 represents the inner bark, which is fibrous, very astringent, and of a light 

 colour. Analysis of this bark (a fair section of outer and inner, being 

 taken), was made in June, 1890, and it was found to contain 28'5 per cent, 

 of tannic acid, and 51*15 per cent, of extract. The liquor is of too dark a 

 colour to be first-class, but would be improved by removing the outer scaly 

 bark before grinding, if that were possible. 



The bark from the younger tree was solid, slightly scaly on the outside, 

 and i inch in thickness. When powdered, it was hardly to be distinguished 

 from some specimens of dectirrens bark, being light coloured, and altogether 

 a promising bark. Analysis shows this to contain 31 f l per cent, of tannic 

 acid, and 55*35 per cent, of extract. 



