THE TIMBERS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 201 



general excellence of ironbarks are universally known and appre- 

 ciated. Among builders, architects, and the trade generally, 

 ironbark is commonly divided into three classes — the white, grey, 

 and red. 



White Ironbark is so called owing to its pale colour when green ; 

 it however darkens during the process of drying. In comparison 

 with the grey and red varieties it is closer in grain and much 

 more difficult to work. 



Grey Ironbark comes to us in considerable quantities from the 

 northern rivers, and is best known in connection with public 

 works, particularly in the construction of large bridges. The 

 magnificent piles, girders, etc., in lengths up to sixty and seventy 

 feet, are mostly produced from this timber, which is more plentiful 

 and grows to greater proportions than the other two varieties. 

 The true white ironbark with its beautiful wavy appearance is 

 comparatively a rare timber in the open market, but I look upon 

 it as the most valuable of all. 



Red Ironbark is likewise in great demand, but most in general 

 building purposes. The ironbarks from the Richmond and 

 Clarence River districts are unfortunately very free in the grain 

 and subject to shelling in concentric rings; they are therefore not 

 accepted to anything like the same extent as similar varieties 

 grown elsewhere. The timber grows to large dimensions, but the 

 ring shakes which seem peculiar to these two districts are a 

 serious fault, and timber in both large and small sizes showing 

 them at the ends should be avoided. 



I could were it necessary, produce abundant proof of the 

 wonderful strength and durability of this great timber, rightly 

 called the "King of Hardwoods," but so much has already been 

 written on the subject that further testimony is needless. I should 

 however, like to point out one or two defects unfortunately only 

 too common in all our ironbarks. 



First the large round holes made by the larva of the wood-moth 

 called I believe " Eudoxyla" The erratic movements of this 



