90 A CONTRIBTTTtON TO, ETC. 



Eucalyptus exists in that colony ; but the fact is, that our Iron 

 Bark exhibits a much smaller number of cells dispersed through 

 the substance of the woody fibre, and consequently is more im- 

 perishable than the Victorian tree. The cause of the variation 

 has not yet been ascertained, but it is supposed to arise from the 

 difference of soil and climate. Grum Kino is procured from the 

 same tree, and by experiments in Melbourne, the destructive dis- 

 tillation was found to yield a particularly thick and rugged sub- 

 stance, studded with deposits of dark gum-resin and containing a 

 large product of pyroxylic spirit. Our "Box," again (E Jiemi- 

 pbloia}, which is the prevailing tree in some parts of the district, 

 affords a valuable timber, and is largely used by coachmakers and 

 wheelwrights for the naves of wheels and heavy framing ; and by 

 millwrights for the cogs of their wheels. In addition to the pur- 

 poses to which we see it applied in this neighbourhood, it is re- 

 ported to be employed in ship-building, and forms one of the best 

 materials for treenails, and for working into large screws in the 

 mechanical arts. The " Blackbut," (E. pilularis), which does 

 not appear to be so well known in the adjacent colony as the pre- 

 ceding species, has long been used here for flooring boards and 

 house purposes, and is justly regarded as one of our noblest trees. 

 It is found principally upon the banks of our creeks to the north 

 of the town, but owing to the progress of cultivation and the 

 necessary clearing of the ground, the larger Blackbuts in the im- 

 mediate neighbourhood have long since perished. Three species 

 of " Mahogany," occur near us, commonly called Eed, White, and 

 Swamp Mahoganies, all of which are known to practical men as 

 affording abundant material for fencing, slabs, &c., &c. The 

 "White species (E. acmenioides) , which closely resembles " Stringy 

 Bark" in its appearance, is probably the least known of the three ? 

 and when worked up for palings or flooring boards, has a beautiful 

 satin-like surface. The specific gravity of this wood far ex- 

 ceeds that of Stringy Bark, being closer and more compact, 

 whilst the .grain is sometimes prettily waved. Our remaining 

 Grums are not so highly esteemed for the strength and durability 

 of their wood, but many of them possess valuable resins, whilst 

 from the leaves of all of them volatile oils may be distilled, vary- 

 ing in character and specific gravity. When specimens were 

 being prepared for the Exhibition of 1861, our Melbourne friends 



