[This combination of timbers occurs several times in the `Journal.' It is impossible to decide what Mr. Flemming meant by Oak.]
1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions,' vol. i. p. 38:
"We found lofty blue-gum trees (<i>Eucalyptus</i>) growing on the flats near the Peel, whose immediate banks were overhung by the dense, umbrageous foliage of the casuarina, or `river-oak' of the colonists."
1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales,' p. 38:
"The river-oak grows on the banks and rivers, and having thick foliage, forms a pleasant and useful shade for cattle during the heat of the day; it is very hard and will not split. The timber resembles in its grain the English oak, and is the only wood in the colony well adapted for making felloes of wheels, yokes for oxen, and staves for casks."
1846. C. Holtzapffel, `Turning,' p. 75:
"Botany-Bay Oak, sometimes called Beef-wood, is from New South Wales. . . . In general colour it resembles a full red mahogany, with darker red veins."
1860. G. Bennett, `Gatherings of a Naturalist,' p. 323:
"The <i>Casuarina</i> trees, with their leafless, thin, thread-like, articulated branches, have been compared to the arborescent horse-tails (<i>Equisetaceae</i>), but have a much greater resemblance to the Larch-firs; they have the colonial name of Oaks, which might be changed more appropriately to that of Australian firs. The dark, mournful appearance of this tree caused it to be planted in cemeteries. The flowers are unisexual; the fruit consists of hardened bracts with winged seeds. The wood of this tree is named Beef-wood by the colonists."
1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p. 56: