"The numerous lightwood trees with sombre shade
Tend to enhance the richness of the glade."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories,' c. xv. p. 111:
"The ex-owner of Lyne wished himself back among the old lightwood trees."
1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 359:
"Called `Blackwood' on account of the very dark colour of the mature wood. It is sometimes called `Lightwood' (chiefly in South Tasmania, while the other name is given in North Tasmania and other places), but this is an inappropriate name. It is in allusion to its weight as compared with Eucalyptus timbers. It is the `Black Sally' of Western New South Wales, the `Hickory' of the southern portion of that colony, and is sometimes called `Silver Wattle.' This is considered by some people to be the most valuable of all Australian timbers.
It is hard and close-grained; much valued for furniture, picture-frames, cabinet-work, fencing, bridges, etc., railway, and other carriages, boat-building, for tool-handles, gun-stocks, naves of wheels, crutches, parts of organs, pianofortes (sound-boards and actions), etc."
<hw>Light Yellow-wood</hw>, i.q. <i>Long-Jack</i> (q.v.).
<hw>Lignum</hw> (1), or <hw>Lignum-Vitae</hw>, <i>n</i>. The name is applied to several trees, as <i>Myrtus acmenioides</i>, F. v. M., called also <i>White Myrtle</i>; <i>Acacia falcata</i>, Willd., <i>N.O. Leguminosae</i>, called also <i>Hickory</i> and <i>Sally</i>; but chiefly to <i>Eucalyptus polyanthema</i>, Schau., <i>N.O. Myrtaceae</i>.
1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 505:
"[<i>E. polyanthema</i>.] The `Red Box' of South-eastern Australia. Called also `Brown Box,' `Grey Box,' and `Bastard Box.' `Poplar-leaved Gum' is another name, but it is most commonly known as `Lignum Vitae' because of its tough and hard wood. Great durability is attributed to this wood, though the stems often become hollow in age, and thus timber of large dimensions is not readily afforded. It is much sought after for cogs, naves and felloes; it is also much in demand for slabs in mines, while for fuel it is unsurpassed. (Mueller.) Its great hardness is against its general use."