WATTLES AND WATTLE-BABKS. 
29 
dccurrens when young. This is a tree of very local distribution (Blue 
Mountains, N.S.W.), and were it more abundant it would come into notice 
as a tanner s bark, since the sample examined was hardly up to the average 
quality obtainable. 
Two samples of this bark were received at the Technological Museum, 
May, 1890, from Kanimbla Valley, Blue Mountains ; one from a large tree 
30 to 50 ft. high, diameter, 15 in. ; the other from a small tree. 
The bark of the larger tree contained much scaly material on the outside 
of a dark brown colour, which, being deficient in tannic acid, detracts from 
the value of this bark. 
The thickness of this bark is 1 inch, half of which represents the inner 
bark, which is fibrous, very astringent, and of a light colour. Analysis of 
this bark (a fair section of the outer and inner barks being taken) was 
made in June, 1S90, and found to contain 51'15 per cent, of extract and 28*5 
per cent, of tannic acid. The liquor is of too dark a colour to be first-class, 
but would be improved by removing the outer scaly bark before grinding if 
that were possible. 
The bark from tlie younger tree was solid, slightly scaly on the outside, 
and i inch in thickness. When powdered, it was hardly to" be distinguished 
from some specimens of decurrcns bark, being light coloured, and altogether 
a promising hark. Analysis shows this to contain 55*35 per cent, of extract, 
and 31T per cent, of tannic acid. 
38. Acacia pruinosa, A. Cunn., B.F1., ii., 413. 
A sample obtained, May, 1890, from Kincumber, near Gosford, New South 
Wales, from a largish tree, was barely £ inch thick when green, and this, of 
course, would diminish on drying ; this specimen was analyzed June, 1890, 
and was found to contain 49 75 per cent, of extract, and 24<*25 per cent, of 
tannic acid, so that it is not a worthless species as is often supposed. It 
would come in Class B. This yields a thin greyish bark, containing little 
fibre; it powders well, and might easily be mistaken for a bark of superior 
quality. The yield would not be largo even from good sized trees, as the 
bark is too thin. 
This wattle is abundant in the neighbourhood of Gosford, N.S.W., where 
it attains a large size. It is, however, rather weak in tannic acid, and a mill 
may he seen falling into decay, because after the plant was erected the owner 
found that the bark would not pay to convey far. Prom superficial know¬ 
ledge be might have jumped to the conclusion that the tree was A. decurrcns, 
but the fact remains that a man was foolish enough to expend a fair amount 
of capital without taking the trouble to make sure he had suitable bark. 
New South Wales and Queensland. Its southern limit appears to he the 
Brogo lliver, near Bega. 
39 . Acacia dcmtrrens, Willd., B.F1., ii., 214. u Black Wattle ; called also* 
“ Green and Feathery Wattle.” Called “ Sydney Wattle” by Baron 
Mueller. Formerly tho “ Wat-tah” of the aboriginals of the counties of 
Cumberland and Camden, N.S.W. (Macarthur.) 
The following analysis of this bark was given by the Queensland Com¬ 
missioners at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1880: Tannin, 15*08 
per cent.; extract, 20*78 per cent. This bark becomes undoubtedly inferior 
in tlie warmer climate of Queensland. 
