214 



Habitat. — It is usually found growing in brush land of the very richest 

 soil, usually near the banks of rivers in the Clarence, Eichmond, and 

 Tweed Eiver districts, but frequently in the scrub, a considerable distance 

 from creeks and rivers. It comes as far south as the well-known Don 

 Dorrigo Forest Eeserve, in the Bellinger River district. It is also found 

 in Queensland, extending a considerable distance along the coast districts, 

 right into the tropics. 



Propagation. — The tree is propagated' from seed, the large '' beans," and 

 can be supplied by every nurseryman. The leaves are pinnate, as shown in 

 the drawing, and in a mass are of more than ordinarily handsome appear- 

 ance. The foliage is dark, and the whole tree shapely, quite justifying 

 Cunningham's laudatory remarks in regard to it. Those who are not 

 familiar with the tree in its native habitat may see some magnificent 

 specimens in the Sydney Botanic Gardens. It is one of our most beautiful 

 native trees, always admired, and it should be more freely planted. 



EXrLAXATIOX OF PLATE 2.j (FLOWER). 

 ' Flowers on last yiar's wood, leaflets. 



TLATE 2G (FRUIT) . 

 A. Legumen (pod). 

 I!. The same, after dehiscence by both dorsal and ventral sutures. 



Alphitonia excelsa, Reissek. 



The Eed Ash. 



Botanical Name. — Alphitonia, from the Greek alpliiton signifying "'baked 

 barley-meal," in allusion to the mealy nature of the epicarp which is around 

 the seed; excelsa, Latin, signifying ''high," in allusion to the size of the 

 tree. 



Vernacular Names. — " Eed Ash," " Leather Jacket," and " Coopers' 

 Woodi." In the Illawarra district of ISTew South Wales it is called 

 '■ Humbug." 



Its general name is " Eed Ash,'' owing to the frequently bright red 

 appearance of the heart-wood. Occasionally also it is called " Mountain 

 Ash." For obvious reasons it is sometimes known as " Coopers' "Wood," 

 while its smooth compact bark is alluded to in the name of " Leather 

 Jacket." Known as " "White Leaf " on the Eichmond Eiver. 



Fruit. — The colour of the fruit is a dull bluish-black, which contains 

 shiny reddish-brown seeds embedded in a brown powc^ery substance. 



Leaves, &c. — The following letter shows the tree to be a fodder plant: — 



Durhig the late drought it was found that horses and cattle ate' every leaf 

 within reach, and, at Bungawalhin, where there Is a regular scrub of it, during 

 the drought the country was quite clear just as high as animals could reach. 

 Its qualitii's in this respect was not suspected hn-iUy, before this. It grows on 

 the very poorest saud.y country, and seems to have some value as a fodder 

 plant. (.\. W. Deauc, L.S., IJsraore, .'iHth August, l:t04.) 



Barl:.— 



The 't'cchiioJoiiiviil Muscnm. 

 Dear Mr. :\Iaideu. -J.-.n! Jlay. 100.". 



S(inio time ngd a Icllor from Mr. .T. liynies, of >[;ielcsville. Nauibncca 

 River, was rec<'ived through you, askhig for particulars as to the tanning 

 qualities of a cerlain barlv. Tlie sample received was tliat of .AljiJiifoiiia 

 r.rcclKU, and an analysis sliows it to he a fair sample, coniaining about half 

 the amount nf tannin usually (iccurring hi the liesl wattle harks. The tannin 

 is good, <iuick in lis action, and might he used for local tanning. 



