79 



Leaves. — In its typical form the leaf is very readily recognised, since it' 

 is shiny, and in shape like that of the common Poplar. But there are many, 

 gradations in length and width of leaf — indeed it is sometimes quite narrow. 



The leaves of this tree are sometimes reported as edible by stock, and 

 sometimes not, and at the present time we cannot reconcile the two state- 

 ments. All that we can certainly say is that the leaves are not edible as a 

 rule. See page 27. 



Timber. — The appearance of the timber has already been described, and 

 it is one of the least valuable of those of the Eucalypts. 



In the Bogan district it is reputed as the very best fencing timber; 

 (Eucalyptus) in the district, but useful for nothing else, as it is always 

 hollow. 



A white timber, and a useless, dwarfish tree; not one tree in a hundred fit 

 for anything. 



There is scarcely a Bimbil box in my district that has not been ringbarkedl 

 The timber is only used for rough fencing in the back country, where it is 

 impossible to get anything else. — (Forest-Ranger Taylor, Wagga Wagga.) 



Mr. Taylor's specimens were collected at Warrii. 



Speaking of the Lower Lachlan : " The timber is very hard and durable, 

 and, like the gum, is difficult to split. Water is obtained from its roots. 

 Although not very plentiful, it is widely distributed." (K. H. Bennett 

 in litt.) 



Tendency to 8ucl:er. — Mr. R. H. Cambage wrjtes: "It usually produces 

 a large number of seedlings after the land has been ringbarked, and in this 

 respect is a considerable source of annoyance to the landowner." 



Mr. O. J. McMaster, Chairman of the Western Land Board, says : " This 

 is a most difficult tfee to get rid of. When ringbarked, seedlings grow so 

 thickly as to render the ground worthless for grazing purposes. It is con- 

 sidered one of the greatest pests in the west country." 



' Size. — It is not one of our largest trees, but trees 60-80 feet in height, with? 

 a diameter of 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet, are not rare. 



Habitat. — It seems to be confined to New South Wales and Queensland. 

 It does not appear to have been recorded from South Australia, but in view, 

 of certain New South Wales localities which approach the South Australian 

 border, I should not be surprised to hear of its occurrence in the latter, 

 State. 



It is a dry-country or interior species, occurring in great abundance m' 

 western New South Wales, western and northern Queensland, approaching 

 the Gulf of Carpentaria, but it has not been recorded from the Northern 

 Territory yet. ' J 



EXPLANATION OP PLATE 176. 



A. Juvenile leaf from' Bogan Gate, N.S.W. 



B. Flowering twig from Mt. Boppy, N.S.W. 



c. Narrow-leaved form from Coolabah, N.S.W. 

 D. Fruits from Coolabah, N.S.W. 



