48 
Dr. Howitt said it was also known as “ Silver-top ” and “ Bastard Ironbark.” 
Aboriginal Names. —Yowut ” of the Gippsland aborigines, according to 
IfoAvitt, and this will serve as a distinguishing name. 
Synonyms. —In “ Eucalyptograpliia,” under E. Sieberiana, E.v.M., Mueller 
gives E. virgata, Sieb., as a synonym. It is not proper to state it so. Mueller 
thought, when describing it, he was suppressing the “ misleading ” name virgata 
for it. The explanation is that E. virgata, Sieber, was for many years confused by 
Bentham, by Mueller, and other botanists with 'the tree Mueller, in spite of himself, 
properly separated from virgata under the name Sieberiana. I have explained the 
situation under E. virgata, at p. 275, Part IX, of my “ Critical Prevision of the genus 
Eucalyptus,” and need not repeat myself here. 
I know no true synonym of E. Sieberiana, E.v.M. 
Bark. —In young trees the bark often somewhat resembles “ Stringybark ” 
when viewed from a little distance. Hence the tree has been sometimes called 
Stringybark, with a qualifying adjective. In older trees the bark becomes denser, 
darker coloured, more furrowed and rugged in character. The casual observer might 
be excused if he took the tree for an “ Ironbark,” but a closer examination would 
show the bark to be neither dense nor tough enough. The small branches are 
smooth. 
The smooth bark of saplings appears always to be glaucous. 
Mr. W. Baeuerlen, many years ago, sent me the following note from 
Braidwood in regard to this tree, referrred to by him as “ White Ironbark ” :— 
Sawyers here tell me that, after gently burning this bark, they use the black remainder as an ink 
or marking to strike their lines in squaring timber. For this purpose they simply mix the black substance, 
left after charring, with a small quantity of water, so as to obtain a thick syrupy substance, through which 
they draw their marking line ; when striking the line, this substance gives a clean, well-defined line without 
burr or wings; in striking, the substance does not “ fly ” off the line, as they say is the case when they 
use the bark of the Red Ironbark, or any of the other Gums. 
The bark of the Red Ironbark ( sideroxylon ), they say, leaves a more gritty or harsh substance after 
charring, which does not answer their purpose. 
Timber. —Pale-coloured and fissile; very suitable for inside work, but not 
durable when not protected from the weather. It seems to be a favourite food of 
white ants. It is also often pipy, and for these two reasons it is disliked by 
timber-getters. 
Eollowing are the earliest notes I can get of this timber:— 
No. 85, Cat. N.S.W. Exhibits, Paris, 1855; 31, London Exhibition, 1862. “Mountain Ash” 
(Illawarra). “Willow or White Top” (Berrima). Height, 50-120 feet. Diameter, 24-48 inches. 
Much valued for rough purposes in districts where the better sorts of timber are not produced. This 
species usually occupies rough, rocky sites, and seems to form a link between the division of Ironbarks and 
that of the Gums. 
With very dark-coloured, rugged outer bark on the trunk, and smooth white bark on the branches. 
Timber very hard, tough, and durable, much prized for poles and shafts of drays. (Macarthur.) 
