399 
or bear leaves of both forms, while young trees, raised from seeds of these trees, 
preserve completely the character of S. lurida. From the above we can only draw the 
conclusion that S. lurida is only the young (perhaps for this reason we must retain the 
name discolor for the double plant) state of S. discolor, and cannot even rank as a 
distinct variety, much less as a species." 
This tree is very abundant here, and is edible. During the drought period it saved the lives of 
many working bullocks. The wood, to my idea, is very musical ; if you tap it with your knuckles it 
sounds quite hollow-like and sings nicely. I am of opinion that the wood could be put to some economic 
use. (W. Dunn, Acacia Creek, Macpherson Range, via Killarney, Queensland.) 
Just a warning in regard to feeding stock on a plant like this (a close relation 
of the Kurrajong). All Brachychitons contain fibre in the twigs and trunk, and the 
thicker the twig the more and tougher the fibre. Obviously the proper thing to do, 
if you cannot avoid giving twigs, is to give stock twigs of as small diameter as possible, 
remembering that only the leaves carry nutriment. 
In the cooler parts *of its habitat it is often deciduous, or nearly so, and is to be 
added to the scanty list of our deciduous trees. 
Flowers. There are few flowers more charming amongst our native trees. 
They are large, fleshy, campanulate, and deciduous, and produced so abundantly that 
they form a very carpet during the spring. Internally they are pink with a crimson 
throat; externally they are a little darker, say a brownish-pink. 
Bark. We can lay it down as a general rule that trees of the genus to which 
it belongs yield porous, inferior wood, but the inner bark is useful fibre. It is very 
rarely the case that the same tree produces valuable timber and valuable fibre. This 
tree has bark up to 1 inch and 2 inches thick, consisting of sometimes as many as a 
hundred layers or sheets of fibre or lace-bark. It is a beautiful substance, and when 
suitably prepared, beautiful light hats are sometimes made from it locally. It makes 
pretty plait when cut into strips, and very useful ropes, which have the advantage of 
remaining pliable when wet. They also take tar readily. It is not a delicate, fine 
fibre, so it could no,t be used for textile fabrics, except those of the most open, coarse 
description. 
The pith helmets often imported into Australia come from the pith of a 
leguminous, swamp-loving plant, jEschynomene aspera, from India and elsewhere, 
but this light substance is not lace-like. 
Timber. The aborigines used it for shields or heilamans because of its extreme 
lightness. It is white, light in weight, soft, and not durable. But it is easily split, 
fcnd locally it is occasionally used for shingles, but only in default of better wood. It 
might be made into staves for casks not for liquids, but only for packing purposes. 
I think I have said all I can in favour of the wood as a timber. 
