BY R. H. CAMBAGE. 569 



ruhida is neither so spreading nor so pendulous as E. vhninalis; 

 and its identification is further assisted by the glaucous appear- 

 ance of the foliage and fresh bark, as well as some red patches 

 on the outer bark just before it begins to peel off. The greatest 

 diiference is perhaps in the stem-sucker leaves, those of F. 

 vimiiialis being generall}^ narrow, while those of E. ruhida are 

 nearly round, even on the young shoots high up among the 

 branches. The flowers are usually arranged in threes like those 

 of E. viminalis, and in my collecting I have been unable to find 

 more than four in the uml^el, and that rarely, though this number 

 is recorded by other collectors as being exceeded at times. The 

 timber of U. ruhida is regarded as very inferior, and resembles 

 that of E. viminalis. The species has a considerable range in the 

 highlands, and extends into Victoria. It may often be found 

 growing on Silurian slate formation, though not usually in very 

 rocky situations, but it is also common on soil formed from 

 decomposed igneous rocks. This is another tree from which 

 manna has been collected. 



E. hmmastoma var. micrantha is a well known white gum tree 

 both along the coast and on the highlands. Around Bathurst 

 and Orange it is known variously as Brittle Gum, Brittle Jack, 

 Cabbage Gum, Scribbly Gum, White Gum and Red Cabbage 

 Gum. Along the coast the timber of this tree is not much valued, 

 partly because it does not split well, and partly owing to the fact 

 that there is an abundance of other much finer timber available. 

 Still, on the highlands, it is often in request for fence posts, as it 

 has been proved to be durable in the ground. It is also con- 

 sidered to be moderately good fuel, but the wood of the cold 

 country is much inferior in this respect to that of the western 

 districts. Its timber when freshly cut is of a pale red colour, 

 with a very short grain. The bark, which is white and rather 

 thin, sheds off in short patches. The short or long grain in the 

 timber of the Eucalypts is usually manifested by a corresponding 

 feature in the bark, and there is consequently much truth in the 

 lines of Henry Kendall, where he writes of Jem the Splitter : — 

 His knowledge is this — he can tell in the dark, 

 What timber will split by the feel of the bark. 



