CHAPTER XXXVII. 



THE CONIFERS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. 



There are several excellent Coniferous timbers in 

 Australia, of which the following are the most important. 

 Several go locally by the name of " Pines," but there 

 are no true Pines in Australia, 



The Moreton Bay Pine [Araucaria Cunninghami) is 

 not a true Pine, but a tree allied to the so-called 

 " Monkey Puzzle " often planted in our gardens. It 

 occurs in large quantities in the north of New South 

 Wales and in Queensland, and is especially abundant 

 on the Richmond river. The timber is light, 

 straight-grained, and works very smoothly ; it is very 

 strong and durable if kept wet, but soon decays 

 if exposed to alternations of damp and dryness. 

 It is of considerable importance as an export timber, 

 especially that from the hills away from the coasts. In 

 addition to its uses in carpentry, for flooring, lining 

 boards, &c., it is employed for cabinet work, and to 

 some extent for spars. 



The allied Bunya-Bunya (A. Bidwilli) of Queens- 

 land is less used as timber, on account of its seeds being 

 eaten by the natives, but the wood is strong and good 

 for framing, &c, 



Dacrydium Franklinii, known in Tasmania as the 



2 c 2 



