137 



72. Eucalyptus squamosa. 



(HI). & J.H.M., Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1897, p. 561, t. XIX.) 



Ironwood. 



Systematic. A fair sized tree, with a scaly or smoothish bark, somewhat 

 resembling that of E. punctata. Abnormal leaves ovate, and finally ovate- 

 lanceolate. Normal leaves narrow to rather broad-lanceolate, or ovate-lanceolate, 

 slightly falcate, 3^ to nearly 6 inches long, pale green to glaucous, the surface 

 glandular punctate ; intramarginal vein very near the edge, transverse veins 

 numerous and fine. Peduncles roundish, not flattened, nor angular, frequently 

 or usually in pairs. The flowers generally from eight to twelve in the umbel. 

 Calyx tube sub-cylindrical, almost ovate, somewhat urceolate in young fruit ; 

 operculum ovate, but more or less pointed or beaked, and frequently showing a 

 marked curve to one side. The length of the operculum about equal to that of 

 the calyx, viz., about 3 lines. 



Fruit. Nearly hemispherical, with a slight tendency 

 to constriction at the orifice ; rim inclined to 

 be countersunk ; valves 3 or 4 and slightly 

 exserted ; about 4 lines broad by 3 lines long. 



Although there is nothing particularly characteristic 

 about the fruit yet when once known it is not easily 

 mistaken for any other. 



Habitat. On sterile sandstone ridges in the county of Cumber- 

 land, National Park, Putty, Kelgoola, near Rylstone, 

 St. Marys, New South Wales. 



REMARKS. Its most obvious characteristic is its scaly bark. Another good characteristic of the species 

 is the curved operculum of the buds, which seems to obtain wherever the species occurs. 



ESSENTIAL OIL. Leaves and branchlets for distillation were obtained 

 from National Park, near Sydney, N.S.W., in September, 1900. The yield of oil 

 was 0-65 per cent. The oil was but slightly coloured, and had an odour resembling 

 those of the cineol-pinene group. Volatile aldehydes were present in some 

 quantity. It contained much cineol, some pinene, and a trace of phellandrene, 

 although at other times this constituent appeared to be absent. A small quantity 

 of aromadendral was detected, and consequently the second fraction had a slight 

 laevo-rotation. 



The crude oil had specific gravity at 15 C. 0-9182 ; rotation nil ; 

 refractive index at 20 i'4635, and was soluble in i^ volumes 70 per cent, 

 alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 5-5. 



On rectification 2 per cent, distilled below 167 C. (corr.). Between 167-183, 

 80 per cent, distilled, and between 183-247, 10 per cent came over. 



The- large fraction had specific gravity at 15 = 0-9161 ; rotation a D + 0-8. 

 The second fraction had specific gravity at 15 = 0-9278 ; rotation not taken. 

 The cineol, determined in the large fraction by the phosphoric acid method, was 

 60 per cent., indicating about 51 per cent, in the crude oil (O.M.). 



50068 K 



