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13.— NATIVE PEAR (Xijlomelum occidental) . 



A small tree attaining a height of 20 to 25 feet, with a short bole, and a 

 diameter of about 12 inches. The bark is persistent, grey or almost black, and 

 lightly fissured. 



The leaves of this tree are characteristic. They are about three inches long and 

 two inches wide, with rounded ends. All around the margins are a series of 

 prickly teeth, which gives the leaf a holly-like appearance. The flowers are large 

 and beautiful, and are arranged in spikes, which are clustered at the ends of the 

 branches. They are a light sulphur-yellow in colour and covered with a short, 

 silky wool. The fruits are distinctly pear-shaped, over three inches long, 1% inches 

 wide, and when ripe split open down one side. Each fruit contains two seeds, 

 which lie closely together, and are provided each with a long wing. There is also 

 a native pear of the sand-plains of the Avon district, which can easily be dis- 

 tinguished from this species by its long narrow leaves. The fruits are similar but 

 somewhat smaller. Its botanical name is Xylomelum angustifolium. 



Weight per cubic foot (green) — 561bs. 



At 12 per cent, moisture — 461bs. 



Transverse strength — 7,6691bs. per square inch. 



Tensile strength — 7,0001bs. per square inch. 



A tree yielding a most ornamental and dark brown wood, with a beautiful 

 figure. It is light, and makes up into very fine furniture wood; finished with a 

 wax surface it resembles moire silk. 



It is to be found growing all along the sand-plain country, between the Darling 

 Range and the sea coast. Like sheoak, it suffers very badly from fire, and it is 

 therefore very hard to get in sizes greater than 12 inches in diameter. It is im- 

 portant that thorough fire-protection measures be taken in order to prevent the 

 extinction of this beautiful furniture wood. 



