362 R. T. BAKER. 
ON THE TECHNOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF SOME 
SILKY OAK TIMBERS. | 
By R. T. BAKER, F.L.S. 
With Plates XVII - XXIX. 
[Read before the Royal Society of N. S. Wales, August 7, 1918. ] 
Introduction. 
This common name is applied in the Australian timber 
trade to quite a variety of timbers, each having a distinct 
specific origin, and yet all possessing one common character 
viz., very pronounced rays, or in trade terms a “‘large silver 
grain,’’ whilst they all differ in colour, weight, hardness and 
anatomical structure. It was this confusion which pro- 
duced the incentive to see if something could be done 
to scientifically classify these timbers, and at the same 
time find out some character which would help the trade to. 
differentiate them, and also to introduce a common name 
at least to each for the benefit of timber dealers and users.. 
The use of scientific names would at once rectify the 
trouble, and the author makes a special plea to the tech- 
nologist to give his aid to the introduction of such, and to. 
help scientific industry by placing it on a correct natural 
basis. 
As things are at the'present time, if an order be placed 
for “‘ Silky Oak,”’ several different kinds in colour at least,. 
would probably be supplied, various species being included 
under the name. The result of using such a variety of 
timbers in a single house decoration or suite of furniture 
is not by any means a colour triumph, and such cases have 
occurred. However great their specific and generic differ- 
ences, they have at least one thing in common, and that. 
is they all belong to the same Family,—Proteacee. New 
