863 
resembles the American timber. The term " Mahogany " was applied to Port Jackson 
timbers within the very first year of Australian settlement. With an excellent figure 
of E. robusta in Sir James Smith's " A specimen of the Botany of New Holland," 
published in London in 1793, we have the name "New Holland Mahogany," or 
''' Brown Gum-tree" applied to this tree. The latter name was, doubtless, given 
because " its resin (kino) is an inferior sort of red gum, of a brown hue." This name 
' Brown Gum " is occasionally still quoted (as repetition) in English books in connection 
with this species, and it is simply referred to at this place in order to point out that 
the term is never employed in Australia, and was simply Smith's appellation. 
Aboriginal NaillCS." Burrum Murra," of the aborigines of the Illawarra 
(Sir William Macarthur). " Gunnung," Richmond River, New South Wales. 
" Gnorpin," and " Kimbarra,'' various Queensland tribes; " Dadangba " was also 
an aboriginal Queensland name, according to Leichhardt. 
Leaves. There appears to be no record of the leaves of this tree having been 
tested for Eucalyptus oil. They are so coriaceous that they promise but little in this 
direction. Smith, in 1793, remarked, " This is not so highly aromatic as some other 
species." 
Flowers. They are very rich in an inferior nectar. 
Bark. It has a thick, softish, furrowed and somewhat flaky bark. 
Timber. " Burram Murra " (aborigines at Illawarra), or " Swamp Mahogany " 
(Sir William Macarthur, London Exhibition of 1862). " A useful timber for inside 
work, but not equal to the better sorts of Eucalypti in strength or durability," is 
E. robusta, according to specimens in Herb. Kew and Herb. Cant, ex Herb. Lindley. 
It affords a reddish timber, difficult to split, and rather brittle (for a hardwood) ; 
resembles Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) in colour. Much valued for wheelwrights' 
work, for ship-building, and for general building purposes; used for shingles; fairly 
durable for posts, especially in damp situations, such as the tree itself frequents, yet 
only a timber of the second class, being much inferior in quality to red Mahogany 
(Eucalyptus resinifera). It is worthy of very careful tests as regards its suitability for 
wood paving. 
This timber is much valued for shingles, wheelwrights' work, and building 
purposes generally. As a timber for fuel, and where no great strength is required, 
this species is excellent, especially when we consider its adaptability to stagnant, 
swampy, or marshy places. It is reddish, difficult to split, and rather brittle; it is 
much used for round and square posts, joists, and sleepers, and is remarkable for its 
freedom from destructive insects, ascribable to the presence of kino-red. The specific 
gravity of air-dried wood is 1-098; absolutely dry, -889. Dr. Woolls speaks of the 
usefulness of this wood for mallets, rough furniture, and inside work, but states that 
it is not considered durable. A slab in the Technological Museum, which has been 
seasoned over twenty-five years (tested by me in 1887, having been exhibited at the 
London International Exhibition of 1862). has a weight which corresponds to 58 lb< 
9 w.. per cubic foot. 
