XXVI.] 
BLUE GUM. 
203 
cut clear of the centre, and very probably had formed 
part of one of the hollow trees before alluded to, con¬ 
sequently the tree to which it belonged must have been 
at the least 6 to 7 feet in diameter. 
A plank 6 inches thick was cut from it, which quickly 
warped or twisted 2 inches, and ultimately went to 3^ 
inches, and stood at that in 1870. Upon examination 
then, it was found to be full of deep, fine shakes, but 
otherwise it was not much changed, and there were no 
signs whatever of decay, although it had been for a long 
time exposed to the weather. It seems, therefore, likely 
to be a durable wood. 
In the Australian colonies the Blue Gum is largely 
employed in ship-building for keels, keelsons, beams, and 
planking; and in civil architecture for any service where 
long, straight, and heavy timber is required. It is also 
largely used upon the farms for fences, &c. 
* 
Table CIV.— Blue Gum (Australia). 
Transverse Experiments. 
Number 
of the 
specimen. 
Deflections. 
Total 
weight 
recj uired 
to break 
each 
piece. 
Specific 
gravity. 
Weight 
reduced 
to 
specific 
gravity 
1000. 
Weight 
required 
to break 
1 square 
inch. 
With the 
apparatus 
weighing 
390 lbs. 
After the 
weight 
was 
removed. 
At 
the crisis 
of 
breaking. 
Inches. 
Inch. 
Inches. 
lbs. 
lbs. 
1 
1-25 
•15 
4 ' 5 ° 
767 
1079 
711 
I 9 I 75 
2 
175 
•20 
375 
602 
997 
604 
I 50-50 
3 
1 '35 
•IO 
575 
710 
1037 
684 
17770 
4 
I ’OO 
•OO 
375 
767 
1108 
692 
I 9 I 75 
5 
1-25 
•15 
3 ‘ 5 ° 
684 
1026 
666 
171 ’OO 
6 
I -OO 
’OO 
4'oo 
741 
924 
801 
185-25 
Total . 
7'6o 
6"o 
2 5' 2 5 
4,271 
6171 
4158 
106775 
Average 
1 '26 
•10 
4 - 2I 
712 
1029 
693 
I 77-96 
Remarks.— Each piece broke with a short fracture. 
