139 
Vernacular Names. —“ Black Pencil Cedar.” It was difficult to understand 
why this species (and the allied P. Murrayi) is called by the name of Pencil Cedar 
since the wood does not resemble that of cedar. Many years ago Mr. W. Biiuerlen 
gave me the following explanation :—“ When the trees are of a fair size, the hark 
looks somewhat rough and scaly, resembling young cedar ( Cedrela australis ) a 
little, in fact a log I cut was to-day, after the ends had been painted, by several 
people taken to he young cedar. The centre of the wood is dark-coloured, which 
may have given the name of Black Pencil Cedar to this species. However, the bark 
of young trees of saplings often looks somewhat blackish I am told, and the large 
log (No. 165) of Panax Murrayi goes far to prove that Panax Murrayi never has a 
dark centre, while Panax elegans always has one.” 
It is called “ Celery tree” in parts of Queensland, owing to the smell of the 
leaves, according to Seemann, who points out that most of the genus smell of aniseed 
or celery. Another Queensland name is “ Mowbowlan Whitewood ” and “ Laurel,” 
“ White Sycamore ” and “ Light Sycamore,” and other names stated to be in use in 
Northern New South Wales. Mr. Bailey gives the name “ Grey anger ” in use in 
the Bunya Mountains, Queensland. 
Aboriginal Names. —At one time called “ Merring-arra ” by the aborigines 
of Illawarra, New South Wales, according to the late Sir William Macarthur. 
According to Mr. Charles Moore, “ Undambie” of the aborigines of Northern New 
South Wales. “ Greyangee ” of those of the Bunya Mountains, Queensland. 
Synonym. — Nothopanax elegans , Seem. FI. Vit., 114. 
In a Queensland Exhibition Catalogue the late Mr. W. Hill has the reference 
te Aralia elegans , Cunn., height 30-40 ft., diameter 12-16 inches. Elegant small 
tree, with large pinnate leaves ; wood soft, white, and spongy.” 
Leaves. —Large pinnate or doubly pinnate leaves, which are the glory of the 
tree. 
The leaves of Panax Edgerleyi, Hook., f., of New Zealand, are used by the 
Maoris as a perfume. 
Timber .—Wood soft, light, and of very little durability. “It splits well, 
might suit for cricket bats, and would form excellent lining boards ; it will possibly 
prove a most useful wood to the musical instrument makers.” (Bailey in Cat. 
Queensland TVoods, Col. and Ind. Exh., 1886.) It cleans well, and if cut for effect 
it will show a neat and pretty grain, but it is apt to get dirty-looking with age. It 
warps and cracks unless very carefully treated. Two slabs in the Technological 
Museum, which had been seasoned over 25 years (having been exhibited at the 
London International Exhibition of 1862), had weights which corresponded to 
30 lb. 14 oz. and 31 lb. 8 oz. per cubic foot respectively. The tree is really of very 
little value for timber purposes. 
