We cannot expect the name of Beech or Colonial Beech to be exclusively 
appropriated to it, for thousands of people in New South Wales and Queensland regularly 
employ those terms when speaking of the wood of Gmelina Leichhardtii. Beech will, 
therefore, remain a name for Gmelina till the last stick of it is cut out, so we had better 
make the best of things, and by way of distinction, call our tree " True or Negro-head 
Beech." 
It has been called " Red-wood," but it seems a pity to give this name to so 
many timbers. 
Aboriginal NaillC. I know of none, although it is probable they had a name 
for so conspicuous a tree. 
Synonym. Fagus Moorci F.v.M. in Fraymenta v, 109, 186. 
Timber. 
It is the hardest timber of the brush, and it is also very heavy. These two characteristics are against 
its extensive use in the sparsely-settled localities in which its grows. It often grows in practically 
inaccessible localities. There is no doubt that it is a most durable timber. I cut into logs which had 
evidently lain by the side of creek.s for very many years, and they were damp and moss-grown, but they 
were perfectly sound. I would look upon it as a valuable timber for culverts and such situations, where 
it is liable to wet. and I trust that the proper authorities will give it a fair trial. It is rnd when freshly cut, 
and dries to a pinkish colour .... Large trees throw out burrs, from which depend aerial roots. 
The timbers of these burrs often yield a beautiful figure. I would point out that the " Myrtle of Tasmania " 
(Fagm Ciiiuiiiighamii) is a highly esteemed timber. The bark of our tree is rough and porotn, and because 
of the moisture-laden situations in which it grows, the bark is often loaded with ferns, orchids, mosses, and 
lichens. No tree in the brush surpasses it in the quantity of epiphytal vegetation it supports. Many of 
the trees are bent and gnarled. The very dark-green foliage, is striking, and the shape and habit of the 
leaves is handsome. Altogether, it i.s one of the most interesting of our forest trees. 
(J.H.M., in Agric. Gaz. A'.-S.ll'., p. 627, 1894, speaking of the Dorrigo.) 
I am calling your special attention to this tree, because I think it will prove of exceptional value. 
Some years ago 1 took a piece of its timber to a Mr. Winter, now on the Manning, who was engaged at piano 
building, and he assured me that he found it far superior to any others he had tried for fretwork. I think 
it will also prove excellent for carving. 
(The late Augustus Rudder, in a letter to me dated 1895.) 
Size. On the Dorrigo I found very many trees were 5 feet and more in diameter, 
but they are usually unsound when they are more than 3 feet in diameter. Mr. .1. 
Kaleski. who lived for some time on the Dorrigo, told me that it grows about 100 to 
140 feet, girth about 9 to 10 feet, 
Habitat. Following is the record in the " Flora Australiensis '' : - 
-'New South Wales. On high mountain slopes forming dense forests at the 
hoad of the Bellinger River and Bcalsdown (Beilsdown) Creek, a few at the 
head of Macleay River (C. Moore) (in Herb. F. Muell.). Received also from Mr. 
Moore himself under the name of F. Carronii Moore." 
So far as we know, it is confined to northern New South Wales. It prefers 
* of streams or deep gullies at probably not less than 2,000 feet above 
rca-level, say from the head of the Paterson to the head of the Clarence. It 
surprising how imperfect our information is as the precise range of species. 
