IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 123 



not split when rammed even into limestone or other hard founda- 

 tions, provided the timber is of the best hard kind (Walker and 

 Swan). The Imperial Clerk of Works at Perth observes, that he 

 took up piles in 1877, which were driven for a whaling jetty in 

 1834, and that the timber was perfectly sound, although the place 

 was swarming with teredo. At the jetty in Freemantle piles thirty 

 years old and others one year old could scarcely be distinguished. The 

 durability of the timber seems largely attributable to a substance 

 (Kino-red), allied to phlobaphen, of which it contains about 16 to 

 17 per cent. ; of kino-tannin it contains 4 to 5 per cent. It is of a 

 close grain and a slightly oily and resinous nature ; it works well, 

 makes a fine finish, and is by ship-builders here considered superior 

 to either sal, teak, or any other wood except perhaps English or 

 Live oak. In West Australia it is much used for flooring, rafters, 

 shingles ; also for furniture, as it is easily worked, takes a good 

 polish, and then looks very beautiful. It is not too hard, and is 

 thus more easily worked than E. redunca and E. loxophleba. The 

 wood from the hills is darker, tougher and heavier than that from 

 the plains. Well-seasoned timber weighs about 64 Ibs. per cubic 

 foot ; freshly cut, from 71 to 76 Ibs. It is one of the least inflam- 

 mable woods according to Captain Fawcett. In West Australia it 

 is regarded as one of the best woods for charcoal. Mr. H. E. 

 Victor, C.E., of Perth, estimates the area covered at present (more 

 or less) by marketable Jarrah in South- West Australia at nine 

 million acres, and to yield at an average about 500 cubic feet of good 

 timber per acre. The trees should be felled in autumn or towards 

 the end of summer, in which case the timber will not warp. The 

 tree grows chiefly on ironstone ranges. At Melbourne it is not 

 quick of growth, if compared to E. globulus, Lab., or to E. obliqua, 

 1'Her., but it is likely to grow with celerity in mountainous country. 

 In its native country it presents the features of the East Australian 

 stringy-bark forests. Stems of this tree have been measured 80 feet 

 to the first branch, and 32 feet in circumference at 5 feet from the 

 ground. Instances are on record of the stem having attained a girth of 

 60 feet at 6 feet from the ground through the formation of buttresses. 



Eucalyptus melanophloia, F. v. Mueller. 



The silver-leaved Iron-bark tree of New South Wales and 

 Queensland. A middle-sized tree with a deeply-furrowed bark and 

 meally-white foliage. The timber is strong and durable, and used 

 for telegraph-poles and railway- sleepers ; it is however very apt to 

 split, unless well seasoned, when exposed to the sun. 



Eucalyptus melliodora, A. Cunningham.* 



The Yellow Box-tree of Victoria and some parts of New South 

 Wales ; of a spreading habit of growth, attaining a height of about 

 120 feet with a comparatively stout stem. The wood resembles 



