22 Indigenous Vegetable Productions. 



in India. Saw mills have been erected on several parts of 

 the coast, and tramroads been formed into the recesses of the 

 ranges, for the purpose of conveying the huge logs to the 

 shore, and rendering them extensively available not only for 

 our own building works but also for exportation. 



Many fine vessels, built in Tasmania, testify to the import- 

 ance of this tree, as yielding a lasting material for ship build- 

 ing. On account of its great specific gravity, it is often 

 employed for ships' keels, for which purpose it is equal to oak. 

 Tough and hard, as the bluegum is, it proves equally durable 

 submerged, or exposed to the air, or sunk into the ground. 

 Whilst it also thus far resembles oak, it far exceeds the latter 

 in size. Wherever elegance of woodwork has to yield to 

 durability, this valuable wood may be employed. " It is." to 

 quote the words of an experienced engineer of Victoria, " largely 

 used in engineering works, such as the construction of bridges, 

 jetties, viaducts, wharves, also in buildings, particularly ware- 

 houses, for girders, or breast-summers ; further, for standards, 

 sleepers, shaft poles, and frames of drays, and the felloes of 

 wheels." Except the white oak of Canada, timber better 

 suited for piles cannot be found. These may be obtained in 

 large quantities 70 feet long, perfectly straight, and free from 

 knots. It is not much used in private dwellings, owing to 

 the expense of working it in small scantlings. The price per 

 cubic foot in Melbourne varies from 2s. to 3s., according to size. 



The unusual rapidity of growth of the bluegum tree, and 

 the readiness with which it accommodates itself to less favor- 

 able localities than its moist native forests, recommend it for 

 lining our roads, and for timber plantations here as well as in 

 other countries of the warm temperate zone. The height of the 

 tree varies according to its situation : in sandstone formations 

 the trunk is known to measure 120 feet from the ground to 

 the spring of the branches ; in basalt it is known to attain 

 the altitude of 180 feet. A bluegum tree in a valley near 

 Mount Wellington, in Tasmania, showed the following di- 

 mensions : — 



Circumference near the base ... 90 feet 

 5 feet from the ground ... 65 ft. 6 in. 



7 feet from the ground ... 60 ft. 6 in. 



21 feet from the ground ... 25 ft. 



Approximate height of the whole tree, 300 feet. 



Judging by analogy this stem contained 800 concentric rings. 

 The redgum tree, or flooded gum tree (Eucalyptus rostrata), 



