7 
hills. In some places it is not the quality but the depth of the 
soil that determines between forest and scrub. Where the soil 
is very thin on the top of the rock, or where it is hard, in these 
instances forest grows. 
Reference will now be made to forest timber. I shall first 
take those that grow nearest to the sea. 
Tea Tree, or Paper Bark. — Mr. Hill refers to seven differ- 
ent varieties of this timber. It is used for knees of vessels, or 
for fencing purposes where more suitable timber is scarce. It 
grows in swamps or on wet clayey ground. Hear Mooloolah 
it is growing within a chain of high-water mark in swampy 
ground. It forms a complete breakwind to more valuable timber. 
Blackbutt (Eucalpytus pilularis). — Native name, Toi. This 
tree grows close to the coast on sandy ridges. Prom the 
Caboolture River northwards to the Mary River, and including 
Prazer’s Island, there is an immense quantity of it. Although 
growing best in these localities, it is by no means limited thereto. 
It grows on ridges in West Mo re ton, and on the main range at 
Highfields, and other places. Well-drained ground and plenty 
of moist winds seem to be the requisites for the full develop- 
ment of this tree. The timber is highly esteemed for house 
building and many other purposes. We have found that it 
stands very well for wooden rails for our railway at Tin Can 
Bay. It would do well for railway sleepers. It is also used as 
planking for vessels. 
Turpentine (Eucalyptus stnartina). — Native name: Tee. 
This tree grows with the black-butt in the Mooloolah country 
and to the southward, but I have not seen any about Wide Bay. 
It grows on sandy or gravelly ridges. The timber is said to be 
very durable under ground. It is difficult to burn and split, 
and consequently has not been used for fencing purposes. At 
Toowoomba it has been planed up for lining boards. It is not 
plentiful. I think this should do remarkably well for railway 
sleepers, bridge work, planking for vessels, &c. It grows rapidly. 
Syconcarpa lauriafolia. — Native name : Peebeen. This tree 
has been mistaken for the preceding one. It grows remarkably 
■well on Prazer’s Island, and on the top of the ridge close to the 
sea to about latitude 26° HP. Although found in favoured 
localities as far south as 27°, it rarely attains great size. This 
timber was said to be capable of resisting the cobra, and thereby 
a great value was set on it by the Government ; yet, when 
tested by the Harbour Master here, it has been found that such 
is not the case, as the specimens on the table will show, one of 
which is peeben, another turpentine, and the third swamp 
mahogany. The latter is not touched ; the other two are both 
eaten into. They were in the water ten months, nailed to piles. 
At Wide Bay the natives at one time made their canoes of the 
bark of this tree. What it is specially fit for as a timber I have 
yet to learn. It warps in drying. 
