BY HENRY DEANE AND J. H. MAIDEN. 609 



3. Var. latifolia, nobis. 

 3. Leaves on suckers opposite, hroad. 



Introductory. — This variety has broad, mature leaves also, as 

 will be seen presently. We have decided to name it latifolia for 

 the sake of precision. It has much in common with Howitt's 

 var. (6) {o'p. cit.), and may prove to be so similar that it may be 

 desirable to associate them under the same variety. 



Vernacular names. — It is usually known as " Peppermint '' 

 throughout its range. It is called " Blue Peppermint " at Ryl- 

 stone, " Messmate " in the Tumut, Wagga Wagga and Braid wood 

 Districts, while we have received specimens from a small tree at 

 Bungendore under the name of " Box Gum." 



i?ar/fc.— Rough like a typical Peppermint. 



SHedlirty or sucker leaves. — Comparatively broad; stem-clasping, 

 more or less cordate at the base, and in some cases quite acuminate. 

 The shape is brought out in the figure. 



Mature leaves. —Broader and thicker than the preceding. An 

 important characteristic is the strongly marked venation. On 

 drying, the principal veins stand out in relief against the vascular 

 tissue. Often shining, a characteristic best brought out in fully 

 mature leaves. 



The leaves of the " Blue Peppermint " (so called on account of 

 their glaucous cast), from Mt. Vincent are not shining, neither 

 are those from the " Messmate " or " Peppermint " from Delegate 

 and the Snowy River. The leaves of the broad-leaved form of 

 K. amygdalina from some other localities are nearly as dull in 

 appearance. Dried specimens of leaves from the Delegate 

 District are covered prominently with blackish dots, and the 

 tissue of the leaf is channelled. The tips of the leaves are also 

 sometimes hooked, all these points showing some affinity between 

 this form and E. stelhdata and E. coriacea, a subject touched 

 upon under Fruits. 



Up to 5 or 6 inches is a common length for the leaves, but they 

 are barely 3 inches in some of the Bombala and Queanbeyan 



