Feb., J g^ John, On the Growth of Eucalyptus viminalis. 155 



ON THE GROWTH OF EUCALYPTUS VIMINALIS, 



F. V. M. 



By p. R. H. St. John. 



{Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i \th Dec, 1916.) 



The following notes on the rate of growth of a young Manna 

 Gum, Eucalyptus viminalis, Labill., together with records of 

 the first shedding of the bark and the development of the 

 flower buds from their first appearance to maturity, seem to 

 be of sufficient importance to be placed on record. 



During the Christmas and New Year holidays of 1910-11, 

 when returning from a walking tour through East Gippsland, 

 I found at Cunninghame some dwarf trees of Eucalyptus 

 viminalis. Fruiting specimens were secured, and in due course 

 placed in my herbarium. In January, 1912, when looking 

 through my collection, it occurred to me to sow some of the 

 seeds that had fallen out of the seed-vessels. This was done, 

 and one of the seedlings raised was planted in my garden at 

 South Yarra in August, 1912, the young plant being then 

 ten inches high. Although not five years old till January, 

 1917, it is now 25 feet in height, and nine inches in diameter 

 at one foot above the ground. The first signs of flower buds 

 were noted on 9th November, 1915. These are now fully 

 grown, and a number of them burst into bloom a fortnight ago 

 (Saturday, 25th November, 1916). The next lot of young 

 buds were noted earlier in the month (7th November). 



It is also worthy of note that the tree is now shedding its 

 bark for the first time. So far as I can recollect, this is the 

 first occasion on which the age of a eucalypt, when the bark is 

 first shed, has been recorded. 



The tree, it may be added, has not received any special 

 treatment or care, and is growing in a sandy formation similar 

 to the trees at Cunninghame from which the seed was originally 

 obtained. 



I trust the recording of these facts will induce other members, 

 especially those who live in country districts, to make similar 

 observations regarding this and other species of the genus, 

 and so enable comparisons to be made which may lead to 

 important results. 



[This tree was in full bloom on 25th January, 1917. — Ed. 

 Vict. Nat.] 



Birds at Eltham. — In the Argus "Nature Notes" (26th 

 January) a correspondent records the appearance of the Dollar- 

 bird, or Roller, Eurystomus australis, Swain., near Eltham, for 

 the fourth year in succession. He also noted the Bee-eater, 

 Merops ornattts, Lath., which is also rather rare. 



