i 9 4 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



a state of decay even while the outer portions are in full 

 vigour. A tree under these conditions, the inner portions 

 comparatively dry, and the outer full of sap, shipped at 

 once to a hot climate like that of India, or to such a variable 

 one as that of England, very naturally bursts from unequal 

 shrinkage, being also exposed to very great changes of 

 temperature. To obviate this peculiarity and apparent 

 defect, let the Jarrah be fallen when the sap is at the 

 lowest ebb, and flitched as previously suggested."* 



I have seen it stated in some correspondence from 

 Western Australia that a specimen of Jarrah timber has 

 been chemically examined by Professor Frankland, with 

 the view to ascertain whether there is any peculiar acid 

 or other substance present in it calculated to resist the 

 attacks of the Teredo navalis. It does not appear, how- 

 ever, that anything of the kind has been found which 

 could be credited with the effect referred to. It is 

 believed by the Professor that the singular immunity 

 from attack which this wood enjoys is due. either to the 

 odour or taste it possesses. These, though by no means 

 remarkable or repugnant to the human senses, are pro- 

 bably strongly so to the Teredo navalis.f 



* The Committee of Lloyds have recently had the subject of Jarrah 

 under their consideration, and determined to class this timber with those in 

 line 3, Table A, of the Society's rules ; thus ranking it with Cuba Sabicu, 

 Pencil Cedar, &c., for the construction and classification of ships. 



f A late Western Australian almanack says: " None of the neighbouring 

 colonies possess timber of a similar character to the Jarrah, or endowed 

 with equally valuable properties. If cut at the proper season, when the 

 sap has expended itself and the tree is at rest, it will be found the most 

 enduring of all woods. On this condition it defies decay ; time, weather, 

 water, the white ant, and the sea- worm have no effect upon it. Specimens 

 have been exhibited of portions of wood which had been nearly thirty years 

 partly under water and partly out. Others had been used as posts, and for 

 the same period buried in sand, where the white ant destroys in a few 

 weeks every other kind of wood. For this peculiar property the Jarrah is 



