42 
The following records the attempts made by me twenty years ago to ascertain 
if there was any difference between the Grey and Red Ironbark at Dubbo. 
The Grey and Red Ironbark of Dubbo are both E. crebra. The former 
has a paler bark and timber than the latter, but there is no botanical difference 
between the trees, and users report that there is no difference in the quality of the 
two timbers. Bark rough on the ultimate branchlets. 
Mr. de Coque wrote : " The Red and Grey Ironbark I believe to be E. crebra 
(I could find no difference in the leaves, branchlets or fruits) ; the kinds are 
distinguished as they grow by the difference in the colour of the bark, which appears 
to correspond in shade to the colour of the timber. I found several shades in colour 
of timber to the deep red." 
Aboriginal Names. George Caley, who was in New South Wales from 
1800-1810 (see Agric. Gazette for October, 1903, p. 990), called this Ironbark 
"Mogargro," which seems the same word as that quoted by Sir William Macarthur 
later as " Mokaarago " by the aborigines of the county of Camden. 
" Boobvinba " of those of the Namoi, N.S.W. 
Fruits. As a rule the fruits of E. crebra are not only small, but the valves 
are non-exsert, as shown in the Plate. Sometimes, as northern Queensland is 
approached, they are neither the one nor the other. 
For example, in the Rockhampton district, Queensland, and also Roper 
River, Northern Territory, they may have small fruits with exserted valves. 
At Stannary Hills, North Queensland (Dr. T. L. Bancroft) we have larger 
fruits and exsert valves. 
At Chillagoe (E. Doran) and Almaden (R. H. Cambage) we have fruits large, 
almost hemispherical, with a pronounced rim. 
In the Townsville district, viz., Reid River (Nicholas Daley) we have in the 
young buds the operculum of slightly less diameter than the calyx-tube, and the 
fruits, while a little less smaller than those from Chillagoe and Almaden, and 
possibly a little less hemispherical, still larger than the normal, and with a distinct 
rim, never seen in New South Wales forms. 
Timber. This and the timber of E. siderophloia (Broad-leaved Ironbark) 
may very well go together, as the timbers have much in common. They are of a 
deep red colour, of about equal hardness, and are really valuable timbers, although 
inferior to the best White or Grey Ironbark (paniculata). 
That of E. crebra is an excellent timber, hard, tough, of inlocked fibre, 
durable and useful for many building purposes. It is much in use for fence-posts, 
railway cross-ties, bridge material, piles, waggon-building, &c., including spokes of 
wheels. 
