66 The South Australian Naturalist. 



5. E. riihida. Cancllebark. 



This species has been separated from the previous one ( E. 

 viminalis) , with which it is closely allied. The chief difference 

 is that the Candlebark has a smooth, waxy bark, and leaves a 

 whitish powder on the hands when it is rubbed. It is more erect 

 than the Manna Gum, and almost invariably frequents wet 

 gullies. Its canopy is very scanty, and consequently gives very 

 little shade. Perhaps this is a provision of Nature, as it gives 

 the sun the opportunity to dry the soil in Avhich the gum is 

 found. This is a handsome species, and it presents a very pretty 

 picture in its native gullies. The buds and fruits of this and 

 the preceding species are very much alike, but the general aspect 

 of the tree is markedly ditferent. There are two of these trees 

 close to Upper Sturt (18:^ miles), and this is the only spot along 

 the line where I have seen them. 



6. E. odorata. Box. 



The first specimens of this gum are met with at Gj miles, 

 near Clapham. Just at this point there are about 100 trees, on 

 the right hand, about 25 to 45 feet high, with dense spreading 

 crowns. The trunks are 12 to 18 inches in diameter at the base, 

 and are from 8 to 15 feet without a branch. The bark on the 

 trunk is dark, almost black, persistent and scaly rather than fur- 

 rowed. Some were in flower on February 20, 1920. These big- 

 trees are much about the same size, and suggest similarity in age. 

 Among these larger trees there is a rectangular block, consisting 

 of 106 young trees, 18 to 25 feet high by 3 to 8 inches in diameter, 

 some of which were in flower, as well as the older specimens. 

 One wonders whether these small trees are remnants of the scrub 

 or whether they were planted there. They are not in regular rows, 

 and I am inclind to think they are of natural growth and plant- 

 ing. The ground is kept closely cropped by cattle, and there are 

 no box seedlings in the closed ground. Just outside the fence, 

 on the north side, some seedlings are seen. Grazing appears to 

 make the regeneration of this eucalypt impossible. This is the 

 species that grows all along the foothills surrounding Adelaide, 

 and in the early days must have covered the plains on which the 

 city and suburbs now stand. 



After leaving the big trees at 6| miles there are a few clumps 

 of the mallee form as the first tunnel is approached ; these are 

 about 20 feet high, and with stems up to 8 inches in diameter. 

 In December last they Avere making new growth, and the light 

 green of the new leaves contrasted strongly with the darker 

 shade of the older ones. Emerging from the big tunnel many 

 tance of over three miles, the box is of the mallee type, and is 

 of these trees are seen. From this tunnel to Blackwood, a dis- 



