of the Blue Gum of Tasmania, dc. 137 
“ Myrtle* very much resembles English Beech,and can be procured 
about 30 feet long; 3 feet diameter. It is well adapted for blocks 
and dead-eyes ; but it is not fit to use about a ship for any other pur- 
pose than what Beech or Elm would be applied to in ships built in 
England. 
“ Stringy-bark grows to about the size of Blue Gum, and is as 
plentiful: it is not used for ship-building here, nor do I consider it 
fit, for it shrinks very much, and when exposed to the damp swells 
greatly. Spars of largest size could be procured of it; but it is very 
liable to rents. 
“1 am, Sir,.&ce:; 
“J. Watson.” 
* [Mr. Watson says that he has not seen the Huon Pine in its native forests. 
It is quite clear that he has never witnessed the Myrtle tree in the dense forests 
on the western and north-western partsof Van Diemen’s Land. There, Myrtle 
trees often measure 30 feet round at 4 feet from the ground, and rise to 150 
feet in height ;—at the same.time it must be observed, that full-grown trees are 
not unfrequently hollow at the butt. ‘The remark that the timber of the Tas- 
manian Myrtle resembles that of the English Beech is creditable to Mr. Watson’s 
observation, and lends weight to his opinions,—for this tree is really a Beech 
—the Fagus Cunninghamii of betanists.—J. M. ] 
