185 



Ca'iltarlna glaiica, Sieb. 



i The Swamp Oak. 



Botanical Name. — Glauca (see \he original description), in reference to 

 the glaucousness of the branchlets. 



Vernacular Names. — The commonest and most' expressive name is " Salt- 

 water Swamp Oak," to distinguish it from the " Fresh-water Swamp Oak " 

 (C. Ciiniiinghamiana). Sometimes it is simply called "Swamp Oak," or 

 merely " Kiver Oak," but " Eiver Oak" is a far better name for 0. Cun- 

 ninghamiana, as the rivers on the banks of which C. glauca is found ar& 

 only tidal. I recommend, the name " Swamp Oak " for this tree, and shall 

 recommend the name " Eiver Oak " to be reserved for C. Gunninghamiana. 



Aboriginal Nantes. — The late Sir William Maearthur gives, in the Exhibi- 

 tion Catalogue, Paris, 1855, the name " Oomburra," and in the Exhibitioa 

 Catalogue, London, 1862, the name " Comburra," for the " Salt-water 

 Swamp Oak," a "tall-growing species, found only near the margin of salt 

 water ; its wood not much valued." He gives the name " Coomban " for the 

 " Forest Swamp Oak " — " usually found ii; groups or small detached dense 

 thickets in moist places, or ' open forest ground.' Wood much used for 

 purposes in which lightness and toughness are required." 



I am inclined to think that the names are really identical, bis own, or 

 printer's errors having contributed to the confusion. Perhaps even now 

 the correct name or names may be obtained and recorded. Mr. F. M. 

 Bailey (," Queensland Flora," p. 1490) quotes Mr. Watkins, who gives 

 " Billa " as the aboriginal name of this tree at Stradbroke Island. 



Leat-fs (Branchlets). — I have seen cattle leaving fair grass for branchlets 

 of this plant, and probably they will feed more or less on the " leaves " of all 

 Casuarinas. 



Timher. — It is of a pale brown colour, redder when fresh, drying to an 

 oak-brown. A specimen of " Salt-water Swamp Oak," collected by the late 

 Sir William) Maearthur, is so light, and has so little figure, that a second 

 glance is necessary to be quite sure that it is Casuarina wood at all. Sir 

 WiUiam says of it: " Tall-growing; .found only near the margin of salt 

 water. Wood not much valued-" 



The timber is strong and tough, and is used for staves, shingles, &c., also 

 for rails, but not for posts. It is beautifully marked, close in the grain, 

 and rather tough ; brittle. It might be useful for cabinet-work. 



A specimen from Gosford (Swamp Oak) is tough and difficult to dress. 

 The -heart- wood is of a purple colour. 



It is used at Cooranbong for bullock-yokes, and at Ts^ree for chisel- 

 handles and walking-sticks. 



Mr. Distript Forester Eotton, of ISTowra, reports:— 



The heart (red wood) of this tree makes the very best caulking mallets 

 for shipbuilding purposes. It is also used for bullock-yokes, and handles of 

 erery description. 'The sajjlings are suitable, and have been proved to be 

 excellent and very durable for rafters to buildings. 



On part of the Berry Estate they have been used, and after over fifty years* 

 use are as sound as the day when they were cut. This timber must be kept 

 dry, and not exposed to the influence of the weather. 



