48 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jan., 1900 
Flowers.—The flowers are small but showy, of a yellowish-white colol 
and are arranged in cymes. They are in blossom from November to January: | 
Fruit.—The fruit is a hemispherical, or cup-shaped, capsule, about 4-int 
in diameter. 
Verwacunar and Boranrcan Names.—The Bastard Box is also known! 
Brush Box (from its being found in brushes or scrubby patches), Brisbane Bi 
(from being found in the vicinity of Brisbane), Red Box, and White Box, # 
also as Bastard Mahogany. ‘The specific name, conferta, was given to this spec 
by the celebrated British botanist, Dr. Robert Brown, in allusion to the crowdé 
leaves at the ends of the branchlets. ¥ 
Disrrieurioy.—The Bastard Box is found growing in open forest groull 
and on ranges and higher lands in the coastal districts of Queensland both not 
and south. It is also found in the northern districts of New South Wales. 
Use.—The Bastard Box yields a good, useful, dark-grey-coloured timb@ 
It is very hard and tough, very strong and durable, closely grained and 
able. ‘Timber from small trees shrinks and warps very much in drying, / 
that from large trees shrinks and warps but very little. Though it is plentitl 
enough, this timber is but very little used. One of its most important poilll 
and the chief characteristic feature of the timber, is that it is almost absolute) 
impervious to white ants or termites. This property ought not to be lost sigh 
of, and in those districts where these insects are very bad this timber shot 
be used for railway sleepers. It is much used for joists, and for various kis! 
of wheelwrights’ work. It is also used for knees and ribs of vessels, and! 
has been known to preserve its soundness when employed in the latter capaci! 
‘for a period of over 30 years. 
Besides producing a select and lasting timber, the Bastard Box makes 
noble shade tree, and it deserves to find a place in the list of our indigendl 
ornamental and shade trees. 
THE WATER GUM (2RISTANIA LAURINA, R. Br.) 
Borayican Descriprroy.—The Water Gum isa tree of varia 
appearances. It is usually a moderate-sized tree, attaining a height of from ® 
to 80 feet, with a diameter of from 18 to 30 inches. In exposed localities it 
frequently small, of crooked growth, and for the most part shrubby, but! 
favourable localities, and especially moist situations, it attains a very large siff 
reaching to a height of as much as 120 feet, with a diameter in proportion. ; 
Bark.—Vhe bark is smooth, slightly fibrous, somewhat persistent, and oft? 
-of a reddish colour. a) 
Leaves.—The leayes are alternate, lanceolate, or long and narrow, from: 
‘to 4 inches in length, and of a dark or deep green colour. 
Flowers.—The flowers are yellow, in short axillary cymes, and appeal? 
blossom from December to February. fl 
Fruit.—The fruit is an obovoid or almost globular capsule, from + to }im@ 
in diameter. 
VERNACULAR AND Boranicat, Names.—The Water Gum, so called {10 
its general habitat, is also known as the Swamp Mahogany and Beech, nawlé 
which are very misleading, and also the Laurel-leaved Water Gum, from 
laurel-like leaves. The specific name, lawrina, was given to this species by D! 
R. Brown from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the laurel. 
Disrrigution.—The Water Gum is found in open forests, and on 
borders of rivers and streams, and lagoons and marshes, in the coastal distri 
of Southern Queensland, and also in similar localities in New South Wales a! 
in Gippsland, Victoria. 
Use.—The Water Gum yields a strong, very tough, closely grained, dat 
coloured timber, useful for tool handles and the knees and ribs of boats. It? 
also said to be one of the best for cogs of wheels in machinery. It is als0! 
“suitable timber for paving blocks. 
