22 
mouth, blow vigorously for a few seconds, and the water runs out in a small stream. Shortly after rain, 
and when the earth is moist, the water will drip from the root when held up, and tin- supply is greater, 
showing that the yield is affected by rain. Roots which are < with the bark on) about the size of a man's 
wrist are the best, as when larger they become woody, and contain less water. It is astonishing how soon 
water can be got by this means. I have myself, and quite unassisted, obtained a quart pot full in less 
Than half an hour, and I feel sure, were the fact more generally known, that it would be the means ,,f 
Caving many valuable lives, an anyone provided only with a tomahawk need never perish from thirst in 
country where this or any of the other trees I have mentioned are to be found. The water is beautifully 
clear and cool, and free from any unpleasant taste. The wood of this tree is very hard "and almost 
impossible to split. 
See also a brief article on the subject in Part LI. 
Size. It is a spreading and medium-sized tree. Mueller (" Forest Resources 
of Western Australia") says it exceptionally attains a height of 150 feet. I have 
never seen nor have heard of properly authenticated trees of this height. It is 
usually about 50 or 60 feet, or even less, in height, with a diameter of 3 feet, and 
exceptionally up to 80 feet, with a diameter of 4 feet. 
Habitat. It is found in the drier parts of Australia in all the mainland 
States except Victoria. It usually occurs on the banks of rivers, or in depressions 
liable to flooding. 
NEW SOUTH WALES. 
This is the "Dwarf Box" of Forest Department (N.S.W.) Exhibition 
Catalogues of a few years back, where it is labelled : " E. brachypoda ; timber not 
much used or valued. Open plains, Lachlan, Darling, and towards the Barrier 
Range." 
'The late K. H. Bennett sent this species from Ivanhoe, via Hay, under the 
native name of " Tangoon," with the note that " this is our largest tree, often 
attaining a height of 70 to 80 feet, with a diameter of 4 feet." 
We have it from the banks of the Bogan, near Coolabah (J.H.M. and J. L. 
Boorman), and on flats near the Darling River, e.g., Bourke, &c. The leaves vary 
in width, i.e. (with same length), varying on the same tree from f inch to f- inch 
broad. 
Angledool, north of Walgett, near the Queensland border (Newcomen) ; 
Burren Junction (J. L. Boorman) ; Boggabilla (H. M. R. Rupp) ; Tibooburra, in the 
extreme north-west of the State (O. E. Couch). 
While usually a small gnarled tree on the flats near the Namoi, it sometimes 
occurs as a tree of considerable size. Bark rough and persistent, scaly ; a pretty 
tree, with rather dense and drooping foliage. Banks of Namoi at Narrabri (H. 
Deane and others). " Coolibah or Swamp Box," Narrabri. Leaves 7 inches long 
and up to 1 inch broad, and glaucous. (Forester McGee.) 
" Coolibah, about 80 feet, nearly always leaning and crqoked, resembling 
Box, but bark shaggier; grows in black-soil flooded country." (Forest Guard 
J. Hay, Boolcarrol, through E. H. F. Swain, District Forester.) 
