210 J. V. DE COQUE. 



my enquiries and tests lead me to the following conclusions : — 

 It is not the bark of the timber that is cobra resisting. It is a 

 thin vein of resin between bark and sapwood ; if you remove the 

 bark the resin is also removed, as it adheres to the latter. When 

 bark and resin are removed cobra will attack the wood if pressed 

 for sustenance, but only in extreme cases as the timber to a small 

 degree is charged with resin, and is therefore objectionable to 

 them. There are in reality two classes of turpentine : the trees 

 growing on stony ridges and on the sides of the mountains are 

 vastly superior in every respect to the timber found on the flats 

 and low-lying ground. The turpentine from the northern rivers 

 is largely composed of the inferior class and warps and twists 

 sadly, particularly from unmatured trees. 



This timber which grows in abundance between Gosford and 

 Teralba, bears a splendid record for durability, and does not warp 

 or twist. To architects I would strongly recommend this timber, 

 particularly from the district mentioned above. It should never 

 be used in sawn sizes unless cut from fully grown trees. It is 

 easily worked, but is extremely short in grain, consequently it 

 will not bear much breaking strain, but in all other parts of a 

 building I can speak of it in terms of praise. Another redeeming 

 feature of turpentine is that white ants rarely or ever touch it, 

 green or dry. Another strong recommendation is that it will not 

 burn, it chars but it will not ignite. If you put a turpentine log 

 on a fire the chances are that it will go out. 



River Murray Red Gum — (Eucalyptus rostrata, Schl.) 



This timber tree grows in large quantities and to a considerable 

 size on the banks of the Murray River ; it also extends inland for 

 some distance on the flats. It is generally to be found growing 

 at its best on the river banks and skirting the lagoons and water 

 courses. The late Director General of Forests took considerable 

 interest in this timber, I cannot help thinking however, that he 

 confounded it in quality and durability with the red gum of the 

 adjacent colonies. 



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