Page:Report on the forest resources of Western Australia 1879.djvu/14

 every tropical country (and this applies also largely to West Australia) should strive to transfer the leading timber-trees of the hot zone to its own shores for independent supplies, more especially as tropical species, unlike many from the colder zones, are seldom gregarious anywhere. Considerations of forest-resources are therefore of particularly weighty meaning to West Australia under manifold aspects.

For clearness' sake it is deemed desirable to treat in this succinct report the forest question of West Australia in four divisions:—

1. To elucidate phytographically the various native timber-trees, hitherto leadingly there in use, by descriptive notes and lithographic illustrations for easy and accurate specific recognition, and to add some brief data on their respective utilitarian importance.

2. To explain the chemic and microscopic characteristics, indicative of various qualities of Eucalyptus-wood.

3. To show by what cultural and industrial measures the yields and riches of the West Australian forests could be largely enhanced.

4. To express my views, how in a young colony with a very sparse population, an inexpensive forest administration could be effectually initiated.

A brief document, like the one intended for this occasion, cannot be expected to treat exhaustively the forest-interests of a country as large as European Russia, and with a clime far more genial, more particularly as the writer had only on three occasions the opportunity of traversing portions of the vast extent of West Australia, and then only for a few weeks each time—in 1856 (as naturalist of the expedition sent out by the Duke of Newcastle, under Aug. Gregory), some of the northeastern regions along Sturt's river from latitude 18° to 22° 20' south; in 1867, the Stirling range and surrounding country, and the vicinity of King George's Sound; and in 1877, the country from Champion Bay to Shark Bay, and also from Swan River to Geograph Bay, and thence to the Shannon and Gordon rivers—these last-mentioned journeys being carried out under special facilities, liberally afforded by the West Australian Government.

I—SPONTANEOUS FOREST RESOURCES OF WEST AUSTRALIA.

A.—Eucalyptus Timber.

From the extra-tropic territory of West Australia, as far as phytographically explored, about half a hundred species of Eucalypts have hitherto been made known; while we are acquainted w4th about thirty tropical species, which extend into the West Australian territory. A portion, however, of these eighty Eucalypts form only small trees, or are of shrubby growth. The technic value of many even of the arboreous species, particularly those of inland districts, and those of the intra-tropic latitudes, have been up to this time almost completely unascertained for the purposes of artisans. In the following pages, therefore, only those kinds are alluded to of which the timber has come into general use, and has been tested by lengthened experience; but it may be assumed that many of the other Eucalypts of the West Australian dominions can be brought advantageously into industrial use; and inasmuch as the north-west coast possesses several excellent harbours, the shipment of many new kinds of serviceable Eucalyptus-timber for export is likely to take place in years to come, when also that ample territory will become more densely settled by colonists. It may here be observed that, fas ar as known, Eucalypts form also in the intra-tropic portions of West Australia the prevailing timber, although they are in many places largely interspersed there with trees of Indian types.

It must be patent to every contemplating mind that a most accurate knowledge of the characteristics of each species of tree is imperatively necessary to discriminate between allied kinds, the