206 J. V. DE COQUE. 



takes an experienced eye to detect any difference in the two 

 timbers. It is often substituted for tallow wood, and unfortunately 

 is not equal to it in durability or value. Unlike tallow wood it 

 shrinks a good deal in seasoning, and is much more open in grain. 

 For general purposes it should only rank as a third-class hardwood 

 and when called upon to stand exposure should be avoided. 



Swamp Mahogany — (Eucalyptus robusta, Sm.) 

 Dark red in colour, very like the red mahogany in general 

 appearance, this timber may be classed as inferior for general 

 building purposes and public works. In the ground and used in 

 ship's framing it is very durable and much appreciated. Architects 

 would however do well to avoid it. 



White and Grey Box — (Eucalyptus tiemipliloia^ F.v.M.J. 



The study of this species of Eucalyptus is confusing, owing to 

 the number of so called varieties met with in so many districts, 

 all more or less inferior to the true box. 



Its use is of more importance to the engineer than the architect 

 inasmuch as it is a hard interlocked timber non-fissile in nature, 

 and of great durability when exposed to the weather. 



In Victoria a light grey coloured variety is much valued for 

 railway sleepers and public works, bearing an excellent record for 

 durability and tensile strength. The white box of this Colony is 

 extremely tough and interlocked and suitable for piles, girders, etc. 

 On the southern coast we have a pink or light red coloured timber 

 of the same species as the white box above (E. hemiphloia). It 

 is commonly called " red box," and it should take a prominent 

 place of merit for sleepers, also railway and road bridges as soon 

 as our ironbarks become less plentiful. 



Red Box or Bastard Box — (Tristania conferta, R. Br.) 



The darker coloured box from the northern rivers is much in 

 use in Sydney for building purposes, being free in grain and more 

 easily worked. 



