29 



(Plate 4). The variety 3Inellerlana is a broad-rimmcd form, l)ut fruits are figured 

 that liaA'e broader rims than any hitherto attributed to variety Muelleriana. Not 

 only is the rim broad, but it may be domed, impercejitibly shading off into both 

 E. ccqniellata and E. macrorrhyncha in this respect. 



The fruits vary in size from f to \ inch in diameter, and also in the size of 

 the opening. In some trees the fruits are large, -^^ inch in diameter, and nearly 

 spherical, but with a small opening. In others, the opening is very wide. 



Many of our eucalypts have large fruited forms. E. resinifera, E. punclata, 

 E. rirgata will occur to many in this connection. E. pilnlaris has one also 

 belonging to the broad-rimmed section. I figure such a form collected by Mr. 1\ 

 Williams at Dapto. (Fig. 18, PI. 4.) 



The valves are quite sunk in the typical form. Variety Muelleriana shows 

 exserted valves, and they are even evident in the form (Fig. 3, PL 4), which other- 

 wise would 1)0 typical. The specimens of " Mountain Gum" (Fig. 16, PI. 4) show 

 an extreme broad-rimmed form, with the valves exceptionally exserted, so that the 

 size and shape of the fruits, the shape of the rim, and the valves all display 

 considerable variation in this species, as will be at once observed if Plate 4 be 

 studied. 



Bark. — Has fibrous bark on the butt, while the branches are smooth, like 

 those of a gum. The variety Muelleriana, however, frequently shows more rough 

 bark on the branches than does the normal species. 



Timber. — Characteristics. — Pale-colovu'ed, more or less fissile, though 

 sometimes quite interlocked in grain. It is a strong, durable, thoroughly safe, and 

 w^ell-tried timber. It is usually readily diagnosed by the presence of narrow, 

 concentric gum-veins, but sometimes these gum-veins are nearly or wholly absent. 

 As a rule, they are too narrow to cause deterioration. Sometimes, particularly on 

 the Northern Rivers, it is free from gum-veins, and then presents considerable 

 similarity to tallow-wood [E. microcorijs), for which it is occasionally substituted. 

 It occasionally, though rarely, shows pin-holes. 



In the Bateman's Bay and Moruya districts, where it occurs plentifully, it is 

 said that although white ants are found in the heart of the living tree, they never 

 attack the timber when it is dry. 



Principal Uses. — It is one of the best hardwoods we have for house and 

 ship building. It is useful for bridge-planking, though inferior to tallow-Avood for 

 that purpose. It has been tested for many years for blocks for wood-paving, with 

 most satisfactory results ; in fact, it is one of the best timbers we have for the 

 jiurpose, both as regards wear and durability. It takes tar well. After ironbark, I 

 woidd place this timber second only to tallow-wood, amongst our hardwoods, for 



