87 
Vernacular Names. —In a general way the name Pine is given to that 
group of plants known to botanists as Conifers. The exceptions are rare, hut a few 
brush trees in Australia go by that name. Cur tree is known as “ Pine,” “ She 
Pine,” and “ Brown Pine,” and, to a less extent, “ White Pine,” but the last 
designation had better he left for Araucaria Cunninghamii, the “ Hoop Pine.” 
Called also “ Plum Pine” and “ Berry Pine,” in allusion to the fruits; and also 
“ Brush Pine,” because of the situation in which it grows. It is also known as 
“ Native Beal.” 
Aboriginal Names. —“ Dyrren-dyrrcn,” of the aborigines of Illawarra, 
New South Wales, and “ Goongum,” of those of northern New South Wales; 
“ Kidney Wallum,” of some of Queensland. “ Mooloolah” is another Queensland 
aboriginal name, according to the Hon. W. Pettigrew ; and it is the “ Daalgaal ” of 
the aborigines of the Barron River, according to Mr. Cowley. 
Synonyms. —P.. ensifulia , R.Br.; P. falcata, A. Cunn. ; Nageia elata , 
P.v.M. ; Nageia elata in Muell. Cens., p. 109. 
Fruit.— The fruits are called by Sydney boys “plums,” “damsons,” or 
“ cherries.” The fruit, which ripens in autumn, consists of an astringent, aromatic, 
resinous drupe, egg-shaped, and something like a sloe, sitting upon a fleshy 
substance of a purplish or damson colour, which is the “ damson.” I have measured 
them up to yf inch long (they are depressed) and inch in diameter, and they are 
probably larger. The “ sloe” cannot be eaten, but aborigines and small boys are 
fond of the “ damsons,” which have no stones, and consist of a pleasant but rather 
insipid mucilaginous substance, the thin skin being slightly astringent. They rank 
among the best of the indigenous fruits. When ripe they stain the mouth and 
fingers like black cherries do. 
Timber. —The timber is used for miscellaneous purposes, like “ Colonial 
Pine” (Araucaria Cunninghamii), but its most valuable property is its resistance to 
white ants and Teredo. Round piles of this timber with the bark on are all but 
proof against the attacks of Teredo (cobra) even in brackish water; in fact, some 
saw-millers say that its power of resistance to marine borers is absolute, but I doubt 
this, although it is rarely touched. It used to be employed in the Port Macquarie 
district for staves for tallow casks, and was then called “ Stave-wood.” In the 
Gloucester district it has the reputation of shrinking a good deal and being knotty. 
Locally, it is used for flooring and ceiling boards and dray bottoms. 
Another report says :—“ Timber light and durable when used for any inside 
work; it takes a fine polish.” We know but little of the uses of this timber, except 
for piles. Mr. P. M. Bailey says that it is excellent for the spars and masts of 
vessels. 
