157 
A. binervata. 
Size .—A tree. 
Branchlets terete. 
Phyllodes as in A. Bakeri, but 3 nerves predominate. 
Inflorescence .—Axillary racemes. 
Flowers about 20; petals smooth, sepals glabrous. 
* Pod |--inch broad. 
Seed obovate, longitudinal, funicle folded and dilated under seed. 
Botanical Name. — Acacia , already explained (see Part XV, p. 104) ; 
Bakeri , in honor of Richard Thomas Baker, now Curator of the Technological 
Museum. 
Vernacular Name. — I propose the name “Baker’s Wattle” for this fine 
species. Most Wattles are esteemed for bakers’ ovens, so please remember that it is 
“Baker’s Wattle” and not “Bakers’ Wattle,” the latter being by no means distinctive. 
Fruits. —The pods are very difficult to procure, owing to their ripening and 
falling in what is usually the wettest part of the year. In many instances pods 
were caught while falling from the trees, when every seed was found to have begun 
to germinate. 
They are very variable both in length and breadth, some being very broad 
and a little constricted between the seeds, while others from the same tree are very 
narrow and much constricted ; the valves are all very thin. 
Bark. —The bark is quite distinct from A. binervata , its nearest ally. It is 
inclined to be smooth, and exudes very little gum, as far as seen, and is reputed to 
be poor in tannin. 
Following is an extract from a letter from Mr. Baker to me :— 
The bark of this species is hard, compact, and externally somewhat smooth. A specimen tested 
was obtained from a large tree, and the average thickness of the bark was 7 mm. It powders fairly well, 
although the outer portion is a little fibrous. The tannins were somewhat highly coloured, but like wattle 
barks generally, they act quickly on the hide. The percentage of non-tannins is somewhat high. The 
bark cannot be said to be of high quality, but could be used in the absence of better material. 
The results on air-dried bark were as follows :— 
Total extract 
Moisture 
Tannins 
Non-tannins ... 
25T4 per cent. 
12-63 
19-24 
5-90 
> J 
Timber. —The timber is pale-coloured right to the heart, as far as seen. 
The flowers, bark, seeds, and timber all emit an alliaceous odour when fresh, 
reminding one of Dysoxylon rufum. 
Mr. Baker writes to me as follows :— 
With reference to your letter asking for a description of the timber of Acacia Bakeri, I have to 
inform you that in facies the wood is not at all similar to the general run of Wattles, there being quite an 
absence of a dark duramen. In fact it more resembles “ Hornbeam ” or our own “Teak.” It is a pale 
yellowish coloured, hard, tough, and very heavy timber, with a slightly interlocked texture. It has rather 
an abnormal percentage of sapwood, which makes it a happy hunting-ground for the borers. 
