oQ 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 
subalpine siuations in Victoria. Yields a pulp suitable for manufacture of writing, 
printing, and packing paper. Sample prepared at Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 45. Paper prepared from the stems and leaves of Lepidosperma elatius : 
Lab illar diere. Ord. Cyperaceje. — The tall “ Sword Grass.” The leaves and stems of 
this plant grow to a length of nine feet in favourable situations, it is gregarious 
in its habit and can be bad in large quantities. Furnishes a valuable pulp for the 
making of strong paper and is also adapted for ordinary brooms. Found growing 
far inland in Victoria principally adjacent to water, in subalpine situations where 
it attains its greatest perfection. Sample prepared at Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 46. Paper prepared from the stems of Juncus pauciflorus : Robert Brown. 
— A species of small rush found growing on the margins of water courses and 
lagoons. Furnishes a pulp suitable for fine paper. Sample prepared at Melbourne 
Botanic Gardens. 
No. 47. Paper prepared from Poa australis. Ord. Graminese. — This rigid 
erect growing grass is to be met with* in various forms, throughout Victoria and 
other parts of Australia; chiefly on banks of streams and in marshy places, where 
it attains a considerable length and could be collected in payable quantities. It 
furnishes material for a good strong paper. Sample prepared at Melbourne 
Botanic Gardens. 
No. 48. Paper prepared from the bark of Eucalyptus obliqua : VHeritier . 
Ord. Myrtaceas . — “ The Stringy Bark tree ” of the colonists. The fibre producing 
properties of the bark of this tree are extraordinary it is to be had in almost 
unlimited quantities in many parts of Victoria and Tasmania and also in the 
colony of South Australia. The tree grows to an immense height with a diameter 
of stem of ten feet or more, and clear of branches for a considerable distance. 
The bark peels readily and is extensively employed by the settlers for roofing 
their habitations, &c. Although too harsh in itself to make good paper, mixed 
with other material it can be utilised with advantage in the manufacture of 
several kinds of paper. The pulp bleaches well and becomes from a rich tan 
color to yellowish white. The fibre might also be used for some kinds of rope, and 
for stuffing. The tree also yields a gum possessed of considerable astringent 
properties. Sample prepared at Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 
No. 49. Paper from the bark of Eucalyptus fissilis : F , von Mueller. Ord. 
Myrtacese. — “ Messmate ” of the settlers. A large growing timber tree allied to 
E. obliqua and closely resembling it in appearance. The remarks upon the uses 
of the bark of the preceding apply equally to this. Sample prepared at Melbourne 
Botanic Gardens. 
No. 50. Fibre, also paper, prepared from the bark of Hibiscus splendens : 
Fraser. Ord. Malvaceae — The “ Hollyhock-tree ” of Queensland and New South 
Wales. A beautiful shrub or small tree attaining a height of twenty feet or 
more, very pubescent, and bearing large rose-colored or deep pink flowers, 
resembling a hollyhock in size and appearance. Bark very rich in fibre, suitable 
for fishing lines, cordage, paper, & c. Sample prepared from plant in Melbourne 
Botanic Gardens, •where it grows quickly. 
No. 51. Paper also fibre prepared from the bark of Hibiscus heterophyllus : 
Ventenat. Ord. Malvacea3. — A tall-growing shrub indigenous to the colonies of 
Queensland and New South Wales but of quick growth in Victoria. Bark rich 
in fibre suitable for a variety of purposes. Samples from plant grown in Mel- 
bourne Botanic Gardens. 
