144 



On rectifying the Walcha sample the amount distilling between 172-183 

 was 77 per cent.; between i83-.245, n per cent.; and between 245-^265, 5 

 per cent. As seen above the first fractions consisted very largely of cineol, with 

 some dextro-rotatory pinene. 



Another portion of the crude oil of the Walcha sample was rectified by 

 steam. The product was tinged yellow (a character common to the oils of this 

 class), had a good odour and consisted largely of cineol. It had specific gravity 

 at 15 C. = 0-9203; rotation a v + 3-1; refractive index at 20 = 1-4606, and 

 was soluble in i-i volumes 70 per cent, alcohol. 



OIL FROM THE BARK OF THIS SPECIES. 



This bark has an aromatic odour when fresh, so much so, that it was 

 thought it might be possible to obtain an oil from it. 



Material was obtained from Ilford, N.S.W., in June, 1898, and the bark 

 finely chopped and then crushed. Two distillations were made of the chopped 

 and crushed bark, each of 80 Ib. weight, which was steam distilled. A small 

 quantity of oil was obtained, about 2 drachms altogether ; such a small quantity 

 was difficult to collect, but about i drachm of clear and filtered oil was obtained. 

 The oil was red in colour; was very mobile, and gave no reaction for cineol. 

 Phellandrene was absent. The specific gravity at 15 C. = 0-898. The appear- 

 ance, odour, &c., of the oil suggested that it might contain an ester in some 

 quantity, but the specimen being required for Museum purposes, further deter- 

 minations were not made. It is thus apparent that the odour of the bark 

 of this species is due to the presence of a volatile oil, and that this is essentially 

 different in composition from the leaf oil. Although oil rarely occurs in the 

 barks of the Eucalypts, yet it has been noticed in a few cases, particularly with 

 that of E. Macarthuri. (See under that species.) 



75. Eucalyptus populifolia. 



(Hook., in Ic. PL, t. 879, 1852.) 

 Bimbil Box or Poplar-leaved Box. 



Systematic. A medium-sized tree; bark persistent on the stem and 

 branches, rough, not deeply furrowed, sometimes whitish or khaki coloured 

 between a " Box " and a " Woollybutt " in character. Abnormal leaves oval to 

 ovate-acuminate, 2 inches long, shining on both sides'; venation distinct, lateral 

 veins few, spreading, intramarginal vein removed from the edge. Normal 

 leaves very variable in size and shape, from ovate-acuminate, ovate-lanceolate 

 to narrow-lanceolate, under 6 inches long ; venation and other features similar 

 to that of abnormal leaves. Flowers numerous in axillary or terminal panicles, 

 peduncles slender, under 6 lines long. Calyx turbinate, i line long and i line 

 in diameter, also on a pedicel of about i line ; operculum hemispherical, shortly 

 acuminate. 



Fruit. Small, pear-shaped to slightly hemisphe- 

 rical ; rim truncate ; valves not exserted ; 

 under 2 lines long. 



They very closely resemble those of E. crebra and 

 E. polybractea in form. 



Habitat. The northern half of the Central Division of Ne\v 

 South Wales ; Queensland ; North Australia. 



