692 BOTANY OF THE INTERIOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 



timber is tougher than that of the Ironbark and not so dry, and 

 is considered by many to be better for wheelwright's work than 

 either the Ironbark or the Box. Its colour is lighter than that 

 of the former and darker than that of the latter. The trees are 

 never plentiful, and in a forest of E. sideroxylon the proportion 

 would roughly be about 15 or 20 of the latter to one of ^. affinis, 

 but the proportion varies in different forests. In the western 

 districts E. sideroxylon is generally found on ridges, while E. 

 heynijMoia var. albens takes the sides and more open countr}^ as 

 well, though the two species are often found growing side by side, 

 and both flower about the months of April, May and June. As 

 a general rule I have noticed that E. ajfinis is found growing 

 close to E. sideroxylo7i, and is seldom out in the open with the 

 Box, thus showing that it has a greater similarity, as regards 

 habitat, to the former species. In its bads, fruits, bark and 

 timber, it appears to be just about midway betw^een the two species, 

 and shows very little variation. In view of all its characteristics, 

 I am strongly inclined to the opinion that the species is one of 

 the newest Eucalypts, and has been evolved in some way from 

 E. sideroxylon. Circumstantial evidence alone seems to point to 

 the conclusion that the species is the result of hybridization, but 

 it is of course quite impossible to speak with any certainty on 

 the matter, for even if such were the case it would be almost 

 impracticable to secure proof. 



Messrs. Deane and Maiden have recently described a question- 

 able hybrid, long known as a separate tree growing near Cabra- 

 matta, and named it E. Boormani (these Proceedings, 1901, xxvi., 

 339). This tree, though somewhat similar, would not generally 

 be confused with E. affinis, as it shows such a strong affinity to 

 E. siderophloia in addition to E. hemiphloia. The Ironbark-Box 

 of Concord is also easily separated, as it shows an undoubted 

 affinity to E. paniculata. 



In most respects E, affinis is indistinguishable from the Iron- 

 bark- Box of Nymagee (mentioned in previous papers) except by 

 the buds and fruits. As regards bark and timber, they appear 

 to be identical. The fruits of the Nymagee tree are much 



