2SO TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 



The following Eucalypts ought also to be noted : — 



E. amygdalina, the Giant Gum, also known as 

 Peppermint Tree, and by a variety of other names, is 

 especially remarkable as furnishing the tallest trees in 

 the world, one having measured 471 feet, and several 

 reaching 400 to 420 feet in height. It is very useful 

 for straight work in carpentry^ as it does not twist 

 on drying ; it is hence peculiarly valuable for splitting — 

 rails, &c. The wood is light and buff-coloured, and is 

 said to be durable. 



E. botryoides, one of the many " Blue Gums/' is 

 often termed Bastard Mahogany, and yields a hard, 

 tough, durable, and valuable ship-building and waggon 

 timber, which does not split easily. 



E. capitella, " White Stringy - bark," is a useful 

 splitting timber for fence and building work; E. 

 corymbosa, the " Blood Gum," has similar uses. 



E. corynocalyx, " Sugar Gum " of South Australia, 

 is said to be least likely to warp when exposed of all 

 the Australian timbers. It is yellowish, and particularly 

 strong, hard, and heavy, and one of the most durable 

 and resistant of woods. Of course it is correspondingly 

 difficult to extract and work, but its properties as 

 timber for sleepers, piles, &c., are spoken of so highly 

 that it seems to deserve more attention. 



E. crebra, an " Iron-bark " of Queensland and New 

 South Wales, is also described as an excellent, hard, 

 fibrous, and durable brown timber, but very hard to 

 work. Similar characters are ascribed to E. goniocalyx, 

 much esteemed by wheelwrights. 



E. Gunnii, the Cider Gum of Tasmania, yields a 

 sweet sap often converted into a drink, and the timber 

 is more valued for charcoal than for constructive 

 purposes. 



