136 
There are two varieties, viz. :—var. Moorei, Bentli. Leaves broader and usually more distinctly 
triple or quintuplinerved, the ovary minutely pubescent. (S. Moorei, F.v.M., Fragm. i, 134; 
v. 154), Rockingham Bay, Queensland, Dallachy; Mount Lindsay, New South Wales, 
lb. Hill. Var. concolor, Benth. Leaves more prominently triple or rarely quintuplinerved, 
the reticulations also more distinct. Flowers rather larger; ovary glabrous or rarely so. 
(S. concolor, F.v.M., Fragm., iii, 147; v. 154), Broadsound, and near Maryborough, 
Queensland, E. Bowman. 
Botanical Name. — Stenocarpus, from two Greek words, stenos, narrow, and 
karpos, a fruit, in reference to the narrowness of the fruit (follicle); salignus, Latin, 
willow-like, but hardly an appropriate name, as a general rule, yet descriptive of 
some specimens. 
Vernacular Names.—This is often called “ Silky Oak,” and this term 
is very widely in use. In some districts in which Grevillea robusta and Orites 
excelsa also occur, our tree goes by the name of “ Red Silky Oak ” in order to 
distinguish it. Further allusion to the redness of its timber is in the name “ Beef- 
wood,” which is in very frequent use, the appearance of the fresh wood being 
remarkably like raw beef in colour. 
Aboriginal Names. —I only know of one name, that of “ Melyn,” which 
was in use by the Illawarra blacks, according to the late Sir William Macarthur. 
Synonyms. —Meissn. in DC., Trod, xiv, 451; Bot. Beg. t. 441. Embothrium 
rubricaule , Giord, Obs. 1837 ; according to Meissner, in his monograph of the 
Proteacem in DC., Trod., Vol. xiv. 
Leaves. —The shape of them has been referred to above. The varieties show 
that the leaves present some variation. 
Flowers. —White or greenish-white, small and inconspicuous in comparison 
with those of S. sinuatus. They are somewhat fragrant. 
Timber .—A reddish, fissile timber, used locally for furniture, veneers, 
staves, gun-stocks, walking-sticks, picture-frames, &c. This timber is an efficient 
substitute for the northern silky oaks ( Grevillea and Orites) ; in fact, it has long 
been used by the Illawarra dairy-farmers for such purposes as butter-kegs. In the 
old days it was used to a limited extent for shingles. Mr. Forester Brown told me 
it had been used for gun-stocks at Taree. 
“ A slab of this timber is of extreme beauty for the uniformity of the pale, 
red-brown, mottled colour, with an undulating figure perfectly uniform, of hard 
texture, easily worked. Altogether one of the most beautiful woods in the Exhibition, 
and of the highest merit.” ( Jurors ’ Reports, London International Exhibition of 
1862). As it ages it sobers down to a reddish-brown colour, with a tendency to 
uniformity of colour throughout. Proteaceous timbers are very characteristic in 
appearance, and this is no exception. A slab which has been seasoned for many 
years (having been exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862), has 
a weight which corresponds to 44 lb. 4 oz. per cubic foot. 
