Page:A primer of forestry, with illustrations of the principal forest trees of Western Australia.djvu/84

78 20.—GOLDFIELDS BLACKBUTT (Euc. Le Souefii).

A tree of 30 to 50 feet in height. The bark is of an orange-brown colour, with a collar of flaky black dark at the base of the trunk two to six feet in height, otherwise smooth. The branches are more spreading. than in the preceding species, and the leaves of a grey-green colour. The timber is light brown and very dense, but is useless for anything except firewood, as the trees of any size are nearly always eaten by white ants.

This tree occurs to the south of Coolgardie, and is very common in the vicinity of Widgiemooltha. The trunk is usually short and thick, and the line between the two classes of bark very distinct. The flowers are yellow and about ½ inch across. The fruits are well-shaped, a little over a ¼ of an inch across, and about as long and with about 10 to 12 prominent ribs running from the stalk to the flat top. The buds are pointed, and are likewise ribbed.