Proceedings. 299 



containing ihiity-tliree plants, well selected ; and of a case from 

 W. M' Arthur, Esq., of Camden, containing about sixty Australian 

 and exotic plants, in .a good state. These cases are in exchange 

 for plants exported from the Society's Gardens. 



The following communication from Francis Cotton, Esq., of 

 Kelvedon, on the two species of pine inhabiting the East Coast, the 

 Callitris Australis and the 0. Gunnii, was read, 



" There are two species of Callitris in the district of Oyster Bay; one, the 

 C. Gunnii, grows to the height of from 4 to 10 feet, on the banks of some 

 of the rivers, and forms a very ornamental shrub for gardens; it bears 

 trimming well, and then grows more dense and bushy, rising up from the 

 ground as a beautiful pyramid. The leaves are of slightly glaucous hue, and 

 to the taste have an aromatic or resinous Savour. 



" The other, the Callitris Pyramidalis, or Oyster Bay Pine, when standing 

 alone, is also of a handsome pyramidal shape ; the leaves have but little of the 

 glaucous hue of the C. Gunnii, their flavour is somewhat like that of the rind 

 of an orange, and they have not the subacid of the shrub. 



" A few trees have been found 80 feet high, and 2^ feet in diameter ; 

 but it is much sought after for timber, and is not usually found now exceeding 

 60 feet in height, and 18 inches in diameter at the butt. 



" The shrub, if carefully taken up with a ball of earth, will bear trans- 

 planting well, when under a foot in height ; the tree is diflScult to transplant, 

 and must be removed when very young, — of the first or second year's growth : 

 the young plant requires protection alike from the frost and hot sun. 



" The Oyster Bay Pine is preserved in the district in manner following: — 

 The old trees are burnt down, or fall from some other cause ; bush fires partly 

 consume the branches, and cause the cones to open and shed their seeds on 

 the burnt ground, from which young plants spring up. The remains of the 

 old tree and the grasses form a protection to them for two or three years, 

 when they are capable of bearing the vicissitudes of the climate. 



" They appear to flourish equally well on the hill tops and sheltered valleys, 

 and are rarely found growing in rich soils, their choice being the hungry white 

 soil of the colony, incumbent on clay. 



" The Pine tree is adapted to many useful purposes; the smaller pines are 

 extensively used for rafters to buildings— also for oars, masts, and yards for 

 boats: the larger pines sometimes afford masts and spars for small vessels. 

 The larger trees are sawn into boards for building purposes; they make excel- 

 lent floors,— and indeed they do well for all the internal fittings of a house, 

 including staircases, sashes, and doors. 



" The boards shrink little in drying,— much less, I believe, than any other 

 colonial wood ; and they rarely warp while seasoning. 



" I have doors, floors, sashes, &c. that have had upwards of twenty years' 

 wear, and, judging from their appearance, the timber must be very durable. 

 Both species of pine furnish a resin which exudes in tears through rents or 



2 A 



