of the Blue Gum of Tasmania, ce. 1385 
be turned to account, but which books do not define with 
sufficient precision to enable me to designate specifically 
The Peppermint, Iron Wood, Mountain Gum, Weep- 
ing Gum, Black-butted Gum, White Gum, Myrtle-leaved 
Gum, are a few of the names by which they are peculiarly 
known to wood-cutters, charcoal-burners, &c. &c. The 
family is an extensive and interesting one, presenting in 
its various filiations ample material for observation and 
remark from other Members of the Society, and of a cha- 
racter more scientific than I have been enabled to bestow 
on that part of the subject considered in this paper. 
Sir,—In reply to yours, wherein you require my opinion in refer- 
ence to the Timber of Van Diemen’s Land for the purpose of ship- 
building, I beg to state the following particulars as the result of an 
experience of twelve years :— 
“J have found the Blue Gum, of which almost any quantity can be 
procured, equal to English Oak in durability, and superior to it on 
account of the great lengths that can be obtained: there is no diffi- 
culty in procuring lengths of 70 and 80 feet, and if required it could 
be procured upwards of 100. The trees selected for ship-building 
should be of the largest size, about four or five feet in diameter : 
when required for large pieces, a cut should be put down the middle, 
when it could be converted into logs of 18 X 24 inches; the heart 
of the tree requiring to be taken out entirely, as in a tree of that 
size there is generally 12 inches of heart. For kelson pieces, lower 
or upper deck beams, wale-planks, and stringers, I consider it to be 
unrivalled ;—it takes the steam well, and there is no fear of its 
spauling in working round a full bow. It requires at least two 
years to season before it is fit to put in a ship, according to the pre- 
sent system of felling and cutting up directly. Timber that I have had 
placed in the water three or four months, then taken out and ex- 
