THE TIMBERS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 205 



An enormous quantity of this timber is cut and used annually, 

 particularly by the Public Works Department, for bridge decking, 

 and unless the State takes some measures to protect it, before 

 many years this magnificent species of Eucalyptus will be a thing 

 of the past so far as this Colony is concerned. It might be advis- 

 able to warn the cabinet maker that in its unseasoned condition 

 this timber will not take glue, in fact when quite dry it is very 

 difficult to make a glue joint to one's perfect satisfaction. 



Red Mahogany — (Eucalyptus resinifera, Sm.) 



This beautiful timber is not appreciated to anything like the 

 extent it deserves. For general building work except in beams, 

 it should rank first in comparison with other hardwoods. It is 

 deep red in colour, close in grain, and works readily. It rarely 

 splits or cracks if cut from matured trees. It might be used to 

 advantage in ornamental work, and for carved pillars and other 

 similar works will be found to give satisfaction. It shrinks to 

 some extent in its green state, but the shrinking is evenly distri- 

 buted. It seasons quickly in sawn sizes, a commendable quality 

 and of much importance to the builder. 



It is found at its best on the northern rivers, where for house- 

 building it is universally used. When seasoned white ants do 

 not attack it if any other timber is within reach. I have been 

 informed that white ants will not touch it except when green, 

 but I have yet to see any hardwood these pests will pass by if they 

 are pushed for sustenance except perhaps true turpentine. I saw 

 a culvert on the northern rivers composed of blackbutt and red 

 mahogany ; the ants were plentiful in the former, and I watched 

 them pass over the mahogany planks to the blackbutt ones, but 

 I have little doubt however that in time when the blackbutt is 

 destroyed they will develop a liking for the mahogany. 



White Mahogany — (Eucalyptus triantha, Link.) 

 (Syn. E. acmenoides, Schau.) 

 This timber bears no resemblance in colour to the red mahogany 

 but is remarkably like the light coloured tallow wood ; in fact it 



