- 



Beech. 



(Gmelina Leichhardtii, F.v.M.) 



The common name selected for this timber is unfortunate, as it is not a true Beech, like 

 Negro-head Beech of New South Wales or the Red Myrtle of Tasmania. It is, however, too 

 late to alter it now, but the warning is placed here that timber merchants abroad may not be 

 misled. The timber, a light grey in colour, is highly prized by the trade in general, being light 

 in weight, durable, easily worked, and strong. It is a great favourite with wood carvers, and 

 is in general use for flooring (where exposed to weather), deck planking, and all kinds of turnery. 

 It seasons slowly and does not crack on the end grain. 



Description of the Tree. One of the tallest trees in the brush lands of the Eastern 

 Coast, with a comparatively smooth, light-coloured bark. Leaves on long petioles (2 

 inches), ovate, large, up to and over 6 inches, glabrous above, tomentose and with raised 

 veins underneath, subcoriaceous. Flowers white, with purple markings in opposite cymes 

 or pyramidal terminal panicles. Calyx small, broadly-turbinate, campanulate, truncate, 

 enlarged under the fruit. Corolla villous outside, the tube broad and dilated upwards. 

 Fruit a succulent drupe, depressed, globular, under i inch diameter. 



Geographical Range. Southern brush forests, Queensland, and northern brush 

 forest, New South Wales. 



130 



