370 
Mr. Sid. W. Jackson, some years ago, when on the Dorrigo, wrote to me, drawing 
attention to the " peculiar socket- jointed limbs," and sent a number of specimens to 
illustrate them. The ends, of the branchlets, where they join the stems completely 
articulate, forming rounded knobs up to 2 inches in diameter. As a result, one has 
to be careful in climbing a tree of this kind. 
lllirk. The bark of this tree is bitter, and is in repute as a tonic amongst 
sawyers. Dr. T. L. Bancroft has quite recently drawn attention to the properties of 
this bark. 
Dr. Bancroft reports : 
The genus Daplmainlra, of the order Moniiniacew, is very interesting, as possessing several alkaloids 
of a stable and crystalline nature. In their physiological action they resemble somewhat the Dici tails 
group. I have for some years now occasionally used a tincture of the bark of Daphandra tnicranllia in the 
treatment of heart cmc^. apparently with good results; my patients expressed themselves as feeling much 
better, and the sphymograph showed some improvement in the condition of the pulse. l)a]>h><atnlfu kills 
frogs bv its action upon the heart, aud kills warm-blooded animals by its paralysing effect upon the spinal 
cord. Although I did not anticipate that any good would result from the use of any substance having a 
paralysing action upon the cord in the treatment of tetanus, yet I tried Da]>hnandra in a severe, case of 
tetanus in a man. He derived no benefit therefrom, and the last two days of his life he was kept, at his 
own desire, under the influence of chloroform. Should a remedy. ever be discovered for tetanus, 1 believe 
it will be a substance bavins an injurious effect upon the microbes that cause the disease, like the effect 
of saltcinc iu rheumatic fever, and <|uinine in ague. (Trans, lutercol. Mcd. Coyresx, 1800.) 
At an earlier date he reported on the bark of Daphnandra repandula F.v.M. 
The bark of this tree has a transient bitter taste, and when llrst removed from the tree it has a yellow 
colour on the inner surface, which changes to a metallic black on exposure to the air, but this disappears 
again as it dries. Infusions of the bark are of a yellow colour, and remain free from microscopic organisms 
when kept. The extract of the bark is very poisonous, one grain being a fatal dose for a frog, and ten for 
warm-blooded animals. The alkaloids contained in the bark are colourless when pure and crystalline. 
The active one is easily separated from the o hers, being soluble in water. Its poisonous action is chiefly 
due to its action on the heart. To some extent it is antagonistic to strychnia. The poison powerfully 
affects fish, molluscs and infusoria. When applied topically to voluntary or involuntary muscles, it paralyses 
them rapidly. It also retards the development of septic organisms, and will deodoris* putrid meat. It 
will kill some water plants. (Proc. Roy. .Sot. X.S.W., 1883, p. 60.) 
The subject is continued, and the physiological action more thoroughly treated, 
in a paper by the same author in Proc. Boy. Hoc. Queensland, 1887. 
Timber. The wood is excellent, according to Dr. T. L. Bancroft. It is doubtful 
as to what species is really referred to by Mr. Hill below. At the same time, it is only 
right to mention that Monimiacaxnis timbers are, as a rule, of little value for industrial 
purposes. 
' The wood of this tree-climber is soft and weak, and of little value except for 
packing cases." (Hill.) It is quite yellow when fresh, takes a fine polish, but it becomes 
dirty-looking with age, and is rarely pretty. It is fragrant, and might perhaps be 
suitable for cabinet work, such as the making of cabinet drawers, shelves, &c. A 
slab in the Technological Museum, which had been seasoned over twenty-five years 
in 1887 (having been exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862), has 
a weight which corresponds to 43 Ib. 8 oz. per cubic foot; 
