134 
Rod way, speaking of Tasmania, where the type came from, says (" Tlie Tasmanian 
Flora," p. 57) : " Bark usually smooth and white from the base, but sometimes the trunk 
coarsely scaly or scaly fibrous, even to the upper branches." 
The aboriginal (Yarra) Geeam, or spear-shield, at one time used in battle, was 
made of the bark of his tree. The method of making it is explained and figured in 
Brough Smith's " Aboriginals of Victoria," i, 332. 
Timber. The usual printed statement in regard to E. viminalis timber is 
that it is inferior. Mueller (" Eucalyptographia ") speaks of it in quite a minor key. 
L. Rodway, in his " Tasmanian Flora," says, " Wood yellow, brittle, 
worthless." 
A Tasmanian official statement says " Eucalyptus viminalis (White or Manna 
Gum) is not a durable wood when exposed to the weather, but is excellent for floors, 
furniture, and inside work generally." 
Corning to Victoria we have : 
" The timber varies from a light colour to a dull brick colour. That from straight 
stems is employed for shingles, rails, and also as rough building material. It is not so 
durable as the wood of many other species of Eucalyptus, but is stronger than that of 
E. amygdalina and E. obliqua " (Mueller). (I think that most people would not place 
it below E. obliqua. J.H.M:) 
" Fourth Class. I have placed the River White Gum (E. viminalis) first in this 
list, simply because in regard to all the other Eucalypts, these which are herein included, 
there is very little choice so far as durability is concerned. Of this species there are 
two marked varieties, one of which is specially found in the alluvial flats and gullies of 
rivers, following their course up to the very sources in the mountains." This is from an 
official, unpublished report of A. W. Howitt, dated 1895. The second "variety" 
referred to is what is now known as E. rubida Deane and Maiden. 
We now come to New South Wales : 
' White or Ribbon Gum (E. viminalis). A timber condemned wherever it occurs 
in New South Wales. Very subject to the attacks of insects and the dry-rot." (Henry 
Deane, reporting on timbers used in the Glen Innes to Tenterfield Railway, 1885.) 
' Ribbony Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis Labill.) is an inferior timber, possessing 
no durability, and of no interest to architects, except to be avoided. It is sometimes 
called Manna Gum. It is used extensively throughout the Colony where it grows for 
cheap rough fencing." (J. V. de Coque.) 
My view is that country people would do well to reconsider their estimates of 
the value of the 'timber of this and of allied White Gums. 
I could quote other opinions, some of them of a more favourable character, in 
regard to the timber of E. viminalis, but we had better wait until the qualities of the 
timbers of E. viminalis, E. Dalrympleana, E. rubida, and perhaps some others, have 
been more accurately ascertained. 
