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Leaves. —At Mount Dromedary this species lias the reputation of being 
greedily eaten by cattle. A farmer cut the limbs of this tree down for his cattle, 
and they would always eat the leaves of it before anything else that was given to 
them. (W. Bacuerlen.) 
Timber. —Wood fine and close-grained. It is impregnated with a resinous 
substance, and burns readily in a green state. It is of a huff or even light reddish- 
brown colour (sometimes it is nearly white), apparently evinces little tendency to 
split, and is probably a useful timber. Some specimens of it are rather pretty when 
polished, although it has but little figure. It is fairly good to work. Two slabs of 
this wood, which were seasoned over twenty-five years (having been exhibited at the 
London International Exhibition of 1862), have weights which correspond to 44 lbs. 
and 45 lbs. 4 oz. per cubic feet respectively. 
Exudations. —A blood-red sap oozes from the trunk when cut, and was 
obtained in the following manner in Norfolk Island :— 
A knife, similar to a farrier’s, is used, but stronger, fixed upon a handle 4 to 5 feet long, which 
enables the workman to reach high up the trunk of the tree. A perpendicular incision is made through 
the bark, an inch wide at the surface, but tapering to a point near the wood, and from 8 to 10 feet long, 
forming the main channel through which the sap flows to the base of the tree, where a vessel is placed for 
its reception; branch channels are cut on each side of the main one, leading obliquely into it, 6 or 8 inches 
apart, and extending nearly two-thirds round the trunk. The sap generally flows from the channels for 
about twelve hours, when it is collected. The quantity produced by each tree varies; sometimes about a 
pint, but on an average about half that quantity. The sap forms an indelible paint, and was formerly 
used in the island for marking bags, blankets, and other articles. (Shepherd.) 
Although very little used now, I was informed on the island that the red juice 
was formerly used as a stain for furniture made of Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria 
excelsa ). 
I have seen the inspissated juice collected from New South Wales trees. 
Lauterer* gives an analysis of this substance. 
Size. —Its height may be estimated at 40 to 60 feet, and its diameter 
1-2 feet. 
Habitat. —Coastal brushes of New South Wales and Queensland. Its 
precise southern and northern limits are not known : in the former State it is found 
in the Illawarra, and in the latter as far as Rockhampton and Rockingham Bay. 
It also occurs in Lord Howe’s Island and Norfolk Island. 
Propagation. —By seed. Its handsome dark green foliage and umbrageous 
habit renders it a pleasing object under cultivation in the shrubbery or arboretum. 
* Gums and resins exuded by Queensland plants chemically and technologically described. From pages 35 to 80 of 
F. M. Bailey’s Botany Bulletin, No. xiii (April, 1S00).—Contributions to the Queensland Flora. 
