XXVI. ] 



BLUE GUM. 



203 



cut clear of the centre, and very probably had formed 

 part of one of the hollow trees before alluded to, con- 

 sequently the tree to which it belonged must have been 

 at the least 6 to 7 feet in diameter. 



A plank 6 inches thick was cut from it, which quickly 

 warped or twisted 2 inches, and ultimately went to 3^ 

 inches, and stood at that in 1870. Upon examination 

 then, it was found to be full of deep, fine shakes, but 

 otherwise it was not much changed, and there were no 

 signs whatever of decay, although it had been for a long 

 time exposed to the weather. It seems, therefore, likely 

 to be a durable wood. 



In the Australian colonies the Blue Gum is largely 

 employed in ship-building for keels, keelsons, beams, and 

 planking ; and in civil architecture for any service where 

 long, straight, and heavy timber is required. It is also 

 largely used upon the farms for fences, &c. 



TABLE CIV. BLUE GUM (AUSTRALIA). 

 Transverse Experiments. 



REMARKS. Each piece broke with a short fiacture. 



