67 



greatest luxuriance in mountain districts, and its timber is thought to 

 resemble ash. Sometimes called "Black Ash," but this name should be 

 reserved for E. stellulata. It' is sometimes called " White-topped Ironbark^' 

 in Tasmania, where there arc no true Ironbarks. It has been also called 

 ■' Blaekbutt," but that name should be reserved for E. pilularis. It has 

 been called '" j\lpsRmate" or " Stringybark" at the Dromedaiy, N.S.W., but 

 the use of such names for this species is to be deprecated. Dr. A. W. 

 Hewitt said it was also known in South-eastern ISfew South Wales as 

 '' Silver-top "' and " Bastard Ironbark.'' 



Bark. — In young trees the bark often somewhat resembles " Stringybark " 

 when viewed from a little distance. Hence the tree has been sometimes 

 called Stringybark, with a qualifying adjective. In older trees the bark 

 becomes denser, darker coloured, more furrowed and rugged in character. 

 The casual observer might be excused if he took the tree for an " Ironbark," 

 but a closer examination would show the bark to be neither dense nor tough 

 enough. The small branches are smooth. 



The smooth bark of saplings appears always to be glaucous. 

 Mr. W. Bacuerlen, many years ago, sent me the following note from 

 Braidwood in regard to this tree, referred to by him as "White Ironbark ":— 



Sawyers here tell me that, after gently burning this bark, they use the black 

 remainder as an ink or marking to strike their lines in squaring timber. Foi' 

 this purpose they simply mix the black substance, left after charring, with a 

 small quantity of water, so as to obtain a thick syrupy substance, througb 

 which they draw their marking line ; when striking the line, this substance, 

 gives a clean, well-defined line without burr or wings ; in striking, the sub- 

 stance does not " fly " off the line, as they say Is the case when they use the 

 bark of the Red Ironbark, or any of the other Gums. 



The bark of the Red Ironbark (MdcroxyJon) , they say, leaves a more gritty 

 or harsh substance after charring, which does not answer their purpose. 



Timher. — Pale-coloured and fissile; very suitable for inside work, but not 

 durable when not protected from the weather. It seems to be a favourite 

 food of white ants. It is also often pipy, and for these two reasons it is 

 disliked by timber-getters. 



Following are the earliest notes I can get of this timber: — 



"Mountain Ash" (Illawarra). "Willow or White Top' (Berrima). 

 Height. .50-120 feet. Diameter, 24-48 Inches. JIuch valued for rough purpose'^ 

 in districts where the better sorts of timber are not produced. This sp-jtii's- 

 u.^ually occupies rough, rocky site.'!, and seems to form a link between the 

 division of Ironbarks and that of the Gums. 



With very dark-coloured, rugged outer bark on the trunk, and smooth white; 

 bark on the" branches. Timber very hard, tough, and durable, nuich prized for 

 poles and shafts of drays. (Macarthur, Lcmdon Exhibition, 1S;02.) 



Used for waggon-rails, shafts, poles, and other work connected with carriag''- 

 buildlng. (F. R. Marriott, Mudgee.) 



Used by wheelwrights for spokes aud naves of wheels. ((■cn'?rftl Jicport^ 

 Sydney Exh., 1879. ) 



Mr. Allen Eansome tested samples of this timber sent from New South 

 Wales to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. From the specinien sub- 

 mitted spokes were turned, casks made, and boards planed. "In all 

 cases it proved an easy wood to work. 



The following is evidence as to the durability underground of this timbej-. 



The timber used in the Long Tunnel Mine (a damp mine), Walhalla, Glpps- 

 nnd consists chiefly of E. t^ichcriaiw, E. caplteUata. E. ohlUjiia-, E. amygda-' 

 Una 'and E. vimmaUn. The first of these, E. Siciiiiana, is by far the best; It 

 lasts many years. (Tisdall, Proc. R.S. Victoria, 1887, p. 43.) 



