WATTLES AND WATTLE-BARKS. 
JWeaning of the word “Wattle." 
It is desirable that we should become conversant with the meaning of the 
terms we use, and therefore I proceed to give the meaning of the word 
wattle, which is usually employed merely as a name. 
In Webster’s Dictionary (sec also Skeat) a wattle is defined as a twig or 
ilexible rod; a hurdle made of such rods; a rod laid on a roof to support 
the thatch. Hence, when used as a verb, it signifies to bind with twigs ; to 
twist or interweave (twigs) one with another; to plait, to form of plaited 
twigs. It has the same derivation as the word wallet , both being from the 
Anglo-Saxon loatel, a hurdle, covering; in Middle English signifying a bag ; 
the verb is walelcn , to wattle, twist together, strengthen with hurdles. It is 
a matter of common knowledge how small trees were used in the manner 
indicated in the above definitions, in the erection of various structures in the 
early days of the Colony. Acacias were undoubtedly used (with other small 
trees), and it is interesting to the student of language to note how the word 
wattle has now become practically synonymous with Acacia. 
The Rev. Dr. Woolls, however, assures me that the earliest application of 
the word wattle was not to an Acacia at all, hut to Oallicoma serratifolia , 
Andr., a small tree belonging to the Saxifrages, and which is generally 
found near watercourses. It was probably abundant along the course of the 
streams which flowed into “ Sydney Coveand in the earliest records of 
“ dab and wattle ” structures, the tough saplings of this species were alluded 
to. It is called “ black wattle,” at page 201 of vol. iii of Don’s work on 
Diclilamydeous Plants, published in 1834. The compact round beads of 
flowers have a general resemblance to those of wattles, and I have, on moro 
than one occasion, when out in the bush, been asked by an unbotanical 
companion, “ What kind of wattle is this?” 
Demand and Supply. 
As regards the importance of a supply of wattle-bark to European manu¬ 
facturers, and the remote possibility of the market being over-supplied, I 
quote the following, by a correspondent of Mr. J. E. Brown, Conservator of 
Forests of South Australia: — “The matter of supply and demand can be 
compressed into small compass. British and Continental tanners are lan¬ 
guishing for ample and continuous supply, and South Australia exports in 
such driblets that very many of the largo firms in Great Britain have given 
over using it, tailing back on Valouia and other barks more fully and regularly 
supplied. 1 may be allowed to remark here, reliable leather cannot be pro- 
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