1 Nov., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. r 501 
Distriputioy.—The Moreton Bay Ash is found throughout the whole of 
the coastal districts of Queensland, being generally found on the lower ridges, 
On alluvial flats, and banks of streams, and also in north-east New South 
Wales, North Australia, and New Guinea. 
Usr.—The Moreton Bay Ash yieldsa useful, close-grained, tough, but not very 
hard, timber, the heart wood being of adark-brownish colour, and the sapwood 
‘light-coloured or whitish colour. Tt is somewhat elastic, easily worked, of great 
Strength and durability, especially that of trees in North Queensland. It is 
much used for flooring-boards, staves, and various kinds of artisan’s work, and 
also for piles for houses, and bed-logs in the construction of quartz and sugar 
mills. Irom the trunk a yellowish-white gum-resin exudes, which is very 
astringent. This gum crystallised is very efficacious in cases of diarrhoea and 
dysentery. 
There is a variety of this tree (2. tesselaris, var. Dallachyana), named after 
John Dallachy, an ardent botanical collector, found in the neighbourhood of 
Rockhampton. It is generally a small tree, with crooked stems, and without 
the tessellated bark at the base. 
THE TALLOW-WOOD (Lucalyptus microcorys, ¥. v. M.) 
Borantoat Descriproy.—The Tallow-wood is a handsome large tall tree 
growing toa height of from 80 to 140 and 150 feet, or even more, with a 
iameter of from 8 to 5 or 6 feet, perhaps more. 
Bark.—Vhe bark is often furrowed or broken by shallow cracks, persistent 
on the trunk and larger branches, sometimes even to the smallest ones, fibrous, 
and of a reddish or rusty colour. 
Leaves.—The leaves are alternate or opposite, ovate-lanceolate in shape 
ind dark-green in colour, about 4 inches in length, and with very fine veins. 
Flowers.—Vhe flowers are from 4 to 8 in number, on short terminal 
Corymbs, with a yellowish tinge, and are in flower from August to November. 
Fruit..—The fruit is an obovoid oblong capsule, about + inch in length, and 
dre ripe from February to May. 
VERNACULAR AND Borantcat Names.—The Tallow-wood derives its name 
from the greasy nature of its timber when first cut. It is also called Forest 
ahogany, from the resemblance of its timber to the real mahogany ; 
eppermint and Turpentine tree, from the leaves being rich in volatile oils 
aving the smell of these articles; and also Red Stringybark, from the reddish 
Colour of its fibrous or stringy bark. The specific name microcorys is derived 
from the Greek, and signifies a “little helmet”; and was given to this tree by 
Baron Mueller in allusion to the small operculum, cap, or hood, of the flower, 
Disrrigurion.—The Tallow-wood is found on hills, spurs of ranges, and 
higher lands of the coastal districts of South Queensland. It prefers well- 
drained localities, and especially those that are sheltered. Tt is also found in 
New South Wales. 
Usr.—The Tallow-wood is a valuable timber tree, yielding a handsome, 
Strong, durable, very tough, close-grained, yellowish, or yellowish-brown timber, 
Sometimes more of a greyish than a yellowish colour. Like most of Australian 
hardwoods it darkens with age. It is of a greasy nature, and especially so 
When freshly cut, at which time it is quite shppery and hard to hold. ‘The 
timber is free from gum or kino-veins, and is easily worked by both the plane 
tnd saw. Owing to the presence of the greasy, oily, or waxy substance it is 
difficult to split, and this also hinders it from twisting, though it does not retard 
'ts shrinking. It takes a long time to season, but when it is dry it is more 
Valuable than many other hardwoods, and is equal in durability to either ironbark 
or spotted-gum. It 1s used for railway-sleepers, bridge decking, culverts, posts, 
and rails. Being both strong and hard, it is durable both above and under- 
Sround, and also lasts for a good while under water. It is also useful for all 
building purposes requiring strength and durability, especially piles, posts, slabs, 
