IS 



trees resembling each other a good deal in this particular district. I draw 

 attention to the matter in this connection, because, in this district at least, 

 our blue gum is inferior in durability to the true woollybutt, so much so 

 that it is there rarely used for posts and other underground work. 



Characteristics. — Of a pale red colour,- straight in the grain, comparatively 

 easy to work, and, therefore, for a hardwood, a favourite with" carpenters. 



Principal uses. — It is largely used by shipwrights and wheelwrights, and 

 IS a very useful hardwood. It is extensively used for building purposes, 

 ships' planks, &c., and is the most widely used of our timbers for felloes of 

 wheels. Although this timber varies a good deal in quality, much of it, and 

 particularly that found in the northern parts of the Colony, is very durable, 

 and has been used with wood-blocks with much success. I confidently 

 recommend sound, mature, Sydney blue gam for this important purpose. 



Distribution. — Coast and coast ranges, north and south. - 



Quantity available. — Plentiful. 



(f) WooUybutt (JEucalyptus longifolia, Link et Otto.) 



Nam?. — The bark is of a dirty grey, brittle, fibrous character, and was 

 thought to be of a woolly texture. It often resembles box bark a good deal. 



Other local names. — This tree often goes by the names of peppermint and 

 redwood in the south coast district, the latter name being used for obvious 

 reasons, and the former because the bark resembles that of another Euca- 

 lyptus tree, known as peppermint, both in texture and in being persistent to 

 the ultimate branchlets. 



Oharacteristics. — Dark red, of a wavy grain, rather heavy, and not unlike 

 red ironbark in general appearance, for which more valuable timber it is 

 Bometimes substituted. It is a very durable timber, but deficient in strength 

 and elasticity, particularly near the heart. Many of the trees also are faulty, 

 and hence it is not a favourite with saw-millers. 



Principal uses. — For posts, for which it is a favourite in the south coast 

 district, because of its durability. I draw attention to it at the present time 

 because I look upon it as a really valuable timber for wood-paving. It is 

 not our best timber for the purpose, but is of proved value under very trying 

 circumstances as regards exposure. Like red mahogany and others of our 

 timbers it belongs to the jarrah class. Although it has been passed ofi as 

 ironbark sleepers and even girders, it is an inferior timber on account of its 

 comparative brittleness, a defect which would not in any way affect its use- 

 fulness for wood-blocking. 



Distribution. — Coast districts, from Sydney southward. 



Quantity available. — Plentiful. 



(g) Bloodwood {Eucalyptus corymbosa, Sm.) 



Name. — So called because of the large quantity of a blood-like fluid (gum 

 or kino) which exudes from the tree, and which, when indurated, forms the 

 gum-veins so common in this timber. 



Characteristics. — Liability to shell concentrically, the spaces thus formed 

 being often filled with the red astringent substance known as " gum." One 

 of the most durable of all Australian timbers. It does not split at the ends 

 when exposed to the sun, as many of our timbers do. 



