Coachwood. 



(Ceratopetalum apetalum, D. Don.) 



This timber, often known also as " Leather jacket," was one of the earliest used in 

 coachbuilding, but is not much employed now, although the reason for its being discarded 

 is not obvious. It is a timber that is readily differentiated from others, being characterised 

 by a sweet perfume, named by chemists as Courmarin. This feature should be known by 

 the trade, as other timbers are sometimes sold for Coachwood, but the odour test is an 

 infallible one. It is fairly light in weight, and has a colour inclining to pale pink. The figure 

 is marked, and sometimes ornamental. It takes a splendid polish, is easily worked, and 

 strong, and it is difficult to explain how its utilisation in the cabinet trade is neglected. It 

 has been used for gun stocks, broom heads, bodies of buggies, and can be bent to any shape 

 required. It should be very useful for chair-making, or for any purpose where a light, tough 

 timber is required. Some regard it as a good substitute for English Ash, and not very inferior 

 to American Hickory. The late Sir William Macarthur exhibited in the London Exhibition, 

 1851, a table of it, made in Paris from wood taken home by himself. This piece of furniture is 

 now at Camden Park, and demonstrates what a splendid timber it is for this purpose. 



Description of the Tree. A beautiful, fragrant tree, found in the Mountains and 

 East Coast district, having a smooth, whitish, hard bark, attaining a height of about 60 

 feet or more. Leaflets usually solitary, only occasionally found in threes in early growth, 

 up to 12 inches long, but commonly under 6 inches, ovate, lanceolate, obtusely serrate. 

 sometimes shining, reticulations well marked on under side, articulate on a petiole of to 

 i inch long. Flowers numerous in terminal dense corymbose cymes or panicles, usually 

 shorter than the last leaves. Petals, none. Calyx-lobes acute, about J inch in flower and 

 J inch long in fruit. 



Geographical Range. Common in all the brushes of the East Coast. 







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