1SS NEW SOUTH WALES. 



totally distinct from those of the other portions of the globe. The 

 gum trees, Norfolk pines, and those of Moreton Bay, attract atten- 

 tion from their scattered appearance, and peculiar foliage. All 

 these have a dark and sombre hue. A remark made by one of our 

 gentlemen is characteristic of the former, " that they were ghosts of 

 trees." The leaves being set edgewise causes this appearance, and 

 in consequence give little or no shade. This peculiar position of the 

 leaf is more conspicuous in the Eucalypti than in other genera, for 

 in them the leaves are all pendant, while the leaves in the other 

 genera are usually upright, rigid, and somewhat as may be seen in 

 the Acacias and other tribes. It was observed that both surfaces of 

 the leaves were much alike, having as it were, two upper surfaces. 

 Whether any physiological purpose has been assigned for such an 

 arrangement I have not been informed. 



According to observations made by the gentlemen of the Expedi- 

 tion, the great mass of the vegetation of Australia belongs to the 

 natural orders of Myrtacese, Leguminosse, Proteacese, Epacridere, and 

 Composite. 



The most common genera are Eucalyptus and Acacia. Many 

 trees of one of the species of the former genus were seen one hundred 

 and twenty feet in height, and with a girth, about six feet from the 

 ground, of eighteen feet. This species is called by the settlers black 

 gum. and is much used for domestic purposes, particularly its bark, 

 with which they cover their huts and houses. The dilated foliaceous 

 acacias are very numerous, and are objects of attraction from their 

 gay and fragrant blossoms. The trees which present the greatest 

 variety of species, are those known as gum trees, viz. : blue gum, 

 gray gum, flooded gum, iron bark, and stringy bark. The leaves 

 of these gum trees have a powerful aromatic flavour, and a taste 

 approaching to camphor. They are used in the colony for a variety 

 of purposes, according to their quality. Thus, the blue gum, (Euca- 

 lyptus piperita,) is employed for ship-building; the iron gum, 

 (Eucalyptus resinifera,) for fencing; and the gray gum, black-butted 

 gum, for boards and plank. 



The Norfolk Island pine, (Araucaria excelsa,) is used for cabinet- 

 work; the swamp oak, (Casuarina torulosa.) for shingles and cabinet- 

 work, as is the cedar (Cedrela australis,) which grows to a very 

 large size ; the turpentine wood, (Tristania arbicans,) for boat-build- 

 ing; the pear tree, (Xylomelum pyriforme,) the apple, (Angophora 

 lanceolata,) the mountain-ash, sallow, sassafras, and several kinds of 



