b SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTMAL CULTURE 



only half as good as that of A. decurrens for tanning, and used 

 chiefly for sheep-skins. The tree is, however, also of quick 

 growth — 30 to 30 feet in 5 to 6 years (Hartmaun). 



Acacia macrantha, Bentham. 



Prom Mexico to Argentina ; also in the Galapagos group. This 

 tree, usually small, provides the " Cuji-pods " for tanning 

 (Simmonds) . 



Acacia melanoxylon, R. Brown.* 



The well-known Blackwood of our river flats and moist forest 

 valleys, passing also under the inappropriate name of Light 

 Wood. In irrigated glens of deep soil the tree will attain a 

 height, of 80 feet, with a stem several feet in diameter. The 

 wood is most valuable for furniture, railway carriages, boat- 

 building, casks, billiard tables, pianofortes (for sound-boards 

 and actions), and numerous other purposes. The fine-grained 

 wood is cut into veneers. It takes a fine polish, and is con- 

 sidered almost equal to "Walnut. Our best wood for bending 

 under steam. The air-dried bark contains from 15 to 28 per 

 cent, tannin. For further details refer to the volumes of the 

 Melbourne Exhibitions of 1862 and 1867. 



Acacia microbotrya, Bentham. 



In the waterless interior of South- West Australia. The 

 " Bad-jong." A comparatively tall species, which, according 

 to Mr. Geo. Whitfield, produces often 50 lbs. of giim from 

 one tree in a season. The aborigines store the gum in hollow 

 trees for winter use ; it is of a pleasant, sweetish taste. 



Acacia pendula. All. Cunningham. 



New South Wales and Queensland. Generally in marshy 

 tracts of the interior. One of the Myall trees. 



Acacia penninervis, Sieber. 



Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. A small tree, so 

 hardy as to occupy sub-alpine localities. The bark contains 

 about 18 per cent, of tannin. 



Acacia pycnantha, Bentham.* 



Victoria and South Australia. The Golden or Green Wattle 

 of the colonists. This tree, which attains a maximum height 

 of about 30 feet, is second perhaps only to A. decurrens in 

 importance for its yield of tanner's bark ; the quality of the 

 latter is even sometimes superior to that of the Black Wattle, 



