477 



to E. vimindlis. E. Gunnii, and sometimes to E. rubida when growing in low-lying swampy localities. I 

 have not known it to be applied to ' Red Gum ' in the district (either E. roslrata or E. tereticomis, both of 

 these often grow in the low-lying river flats, which are subject to flooding)" (Harry Hopkins, Bairnsdale, 

 'Victoria). 



The above letter is useful as a specimen of the way in which general statements 

 of the vernaculars in use in limited areas can be submitted. They should be very much 

 multiplied, but of course, only by experienced observers. 



2. VERNACULAR If AMES FOR TIMBERS. 



I have dealt with the literature of the subject at Part LIII, pp. 128-136, and 

 attention may be drawn to it at the present place, as it may be desired to make a difference 

 between the vernaculars of timbers and the trees producing them. That the matter 

 is of some importance to the consumer is well known. In 1918 the Interstate Commis- 

 sioner held an inquiry as to House Rents, which brought the price of timber under 

 review. The following evidence was given, referring to Tasmanian Stringybark 

 (Eucalyptus obliqua) : — 



It sells at 4s. 6d. and 5s. 6d. per 100 feet at the mills, and from 6s. 6d. to 10s. in Sydney, but is sold 

 at 33s. as Tasmanian Oak. ... To become Tasmanian Oak it requires careful treatment and seasoning 

 for a couple of years. ... It simply becomes seasoned Stringybark. One of our well-known merchants 

 used to sell Tasmanian Hardwood as Tasmanian Tallow-wood. Tallow-wood is a well known timber in New 

 South Wales (E. microcaryu). One other well-known timber was quoted (Sydney Morning Herald, report 

 of inquiry, 19th December, 1918; letter 20th December). 



In other words, juggle with the vernacular or " common " names (which are often 

 not " common '"), and you can rob the public with impunity. 



I have for many years drawn the attention of the public to the confusion of the 

 vernacular names in the case of Eucalyptus timbers, and will confine myself to a few 

 references : — 



1. In my " Useful Native Plants of Australia," p. 427 (1889), as follows : — 



Scarcely a branch of Australian economic botany is in a more confused state than that which pertains 

 to the timber of the Eucalypts. The genus is perhaps the most difficult one in the world, intrinsically, and 

 also because of accidental circumstances, i.e., difficulty of obtaining flowers and fruit, and irregular flowering 

 seasons ; moreover, the trees vary according to climate and soil to such an extent as to render the definition 

 of a species rather expensive, and as this difference often extends to the wood, timbers of totally different 

 character are sometimes reckoned under the same species. In consequence, the botanical synonyms are very 

 numerous, and this being so, the non-botanist must not be upbraided for his formidale list of vernacular 

 names. These names have been given at some length in the following pages, as a practical knowledge of 

 Eucalyptus timbers cannot be dissociated from them, and surely no other genus has ever been honoured by 

 such a number. The author believes that it will be found that some of the vernacular names given have been 

 assigned to wrong species by some observers, but he offers the noteB as a contribution towards the compilation 

 of a glossary of Eucalypt names. 



