Page:Handbook of Western Australia.djvu/69

Rh areas covered by the principal species are given in the following table:—

The York Gum, though of smaller size, is common as far North as the Murchison river. The Jarrah is becoming well known for its good qualities, strength, durability, and especially for its immunity from the attacks of submarine animals and the white ant, if cut at the proper age, and time of year, and well seasoned before using. For ship building, bridges, wharfs, jetties, &c., it is therefore of great value, and the more so, as iron bolts and nails driven into it do not loosen from rust, as in most other woods; it is in consequence one of the most important staples of the trade of the" Colony. The Karri or Karrie tree is confined to the extreme South and West; its gigantic proportions excite the admiration of all those who see them; indeed the Karri timber is so huge that, though of much value, it is comparatively little used. Captain Bannister in 1830 measured trees 18 feet in circumference, and estimated the branches at 100 feet; since then many of much larger dimensions have been observed. Governor Weld measured some 150 feet to the branches; they are commonly 6 feet in diameter, and have been observed of double that size. White Gums are found for the most part in the beds and on the banks of all the rivers of the Colony. The Tea Tree, or Paper Bark, is