56 
president’s ADDRESS — SECTION B. 
be able to bring into use some of our low-grade barks which would 
not pay to convey to markets in their crude form. Let experiments 
also be made with alcohol on the bark itself. The gum, ligneous 
matter, &c., would be left behind, while the tannin and its derivatives 
would be taken into solution from which an extract can be readily 
prepared. The thing seems feasible. 
I think I have said sufficient to show that the wattle-bark industry 
presents to the chemist opportunities of scientific research of an 
important character, and it is no drawback that the achievement of 
practical results may be attended with substantial pecuniary advantage 
to the experimenter. 
But while Acacia barks furnish our main supply of tanning 
material, we must not lose sight of other kinds of trees, "some of which 
will be found to yield barks rich in tannin. Research in this direction 
can be conducted at odd times, but when an analysis is made par- 
ticulars should be recorded of the date of collection, size of tree, 
locality, and any other particulars conveniently available for future 
reference. Patient research of this kind, even if it may appear to 
bring no immediate pecuniary advantage to the chemist, is in itself a 
discipline of the highest value to the inquirer into the value (or 
worthlessness — for negative evidence is useful) of the raw vegetable 
products of Australia. 
TIMBERS. 
Scientific investigations of timbers are usually left to the engineer, 
who subjects them to various stresses, but if the matter be inquired 
into it will be seen that there is important work for the chemist in 
connection with these substances. I will briefly make a few' sug- 
gestions. 
Our knowledge of the ashes of our native timbers is quite frag- 
mentary, yet the matter is of much importance to the agriculturist. 
It would be convenient to many to examine the ashes of particular 
trees burnt in clearing, and in many cases the kind of tree could be 
readily noted beforehand. This is precisely the kind of work that 
many chemists should engage in, otherwise the acquisition of sufficient 
data will be indefinitely postponed. 
The question of tile utilisation of our timbers for wood pulp may 
ultimately be one of great magnitude ; but before the subject can 
have any economic importance, we require to know the percentage 
of cellulose our timbers contain. This ground is practically 
untouched. 
The substance which is contained in Tallow-wood ( Eucalyptus 
microcorys , P. v. M.), and to which the timber owes its greasy or 
slippery nature, has never been isolated. Black Bean ( Castanospermuvi 
australe , A. Cunn.), is of a greasy nature, so that it will not readily 
take glue. Other timbers are of this character ; what is the reason ? 
We require special timbers for wine-casks and butter-kegs, and 
for butter-boxes for the export trade. For both articles the timber 
must neither absorb nor affect the aroma in any way. The conduct 
of the necessary preliminary experiments in regard to our native 
timbers is the work of the chemist. 
