1 Ocr., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 419 
This is a useful species to plant for commercial purposes. It grows well, 
and in 25 years has been known to reach a height of from 40 to 75 feet, with a 
diameter of from 10 to 14 inches or more. It does not produce blossoms until 
it is about 10 years of age. 
THE POPLAR-LEAVED BOX (Zucalyptus populifolia, Hook.) 
Boranrcan Descrrerron.—The Poplar-leaved Box isa moderate-sized tree, 
growing to a height of from-30 to 50 feet, with a diameter ranging from 12 to 
30 inches. 
Bark.—The bark is a greyish white, closely persistent and somewhat 
spongy. i 
Leaves.—The leaves are of a glossy green colour, rhomboidal in shape, 
usually from 14 to 3 inches broad, shortly acuminate, very thick, and arranged. 
on longish petioles or stalks. ‘ 
Plowers.—The flowers are very small, and ar 
each umbel having either few or many flowers. 
Hruit.—The fruit are small capsules: 
This tree has often been mistaken for the Red Box (2. polyanthema, Sch.), 
but it differs from it in having allits stamens (or male organs) fertile and its 
anthers (or pollen bag) with more lateral (or side) openings. The filaments (or 
stalks which support the anthers) are usually darker coloured, and the fruit is 
smaller. Besides these differences, the Poplar-leayed Box is found only in the 
warmer parts of Eastern Australia, while the Red Box occurs as far south as the 
colder parts of Victoria, and isnot found in Queensland. 
VERNACULAR AND Borantcatn Names.—The Poplar-leayed Box, so called 
from its leaves resembling those of the European poplar, is also known as the 
Poplar Box and the Poplar Gum, and the Shining-leayed Box—from its having 
a green shining appearance—and White Gum; the last name is more generally 
used in New South Wales. It is also known under the aboriginal name of 
Bembil. The specific name, populifolia, was given to this species by the British 
botanist, Sir W.J. Hooker, on account of its poplar-like leaves. 
Distripution.—The Poplar-leaved Box is found growing generally on poorer 
soils, both in the coastal and inland districts of Queensland, and is also found 
in the northern parts of New South Wales. 
Uses.—The Poplar-leaved Box yields.a very hard and tough, strong, durable, 
good, useful, greyish or lightish brown timber. Though very hard to work, itis 
avery handsome wood when polished. It is especially adapted for use in dry and 
hot climates. It is used for handspikes, levers, posts, and other articles where 
toughness is required. It is also usefulin house and ship building, and for poles 
and shafts of drays. 
€ arranged in paniculate umbels, 
RINGBARKING AND RAINFALL, 
Tu amount of water absorbed by large trees ig very considerable, and hence 
ringbarking has a marked effect on the grass. The destruction of heavy timber 
over a large area of country has, notwithstanding all that has been said to the 
contrary, the effect of reducing the rainfall, particularly in flat country. But 
the water beneath the surface, which went to nourish the growing trees, is, 
after the latter are destroyed, left to nourish by capillary attraction the roots of 
the grass, which grows more luxuriantly in consequence. Not unfrequently 
springs burst forth spontaneously in ringbarked country, owing to the super- 
Biiitiancs of subterranean water now no longer expended in supplying the 
trees. 
