177 



92. Eucalyptus elceophora. 



(F.v.M., Frag., iv., 1863-64, p. 52.) 

 Bundy or Half Box. 



Systematic. A rather low stunted tree with a somewhat fibrous bark, 

 resembling that of E. Bridgesiana. Abnormal leaves vary much in size and shape, 

 being sometimes orbicular, or even broader than long, and sessile, 6 inches broad 

 and 4 inches long, or when petiolate they are ovate, cordate, coriaceous, acuminate, 

 or obtuse, not shining, mealy, coriaceous ; in the sessile leaves the venation is 

 very strongly marked, the circumferential vein sometimes \ inch from the 

 edge. The venation in the petiolate form of the young leaves is only faintly marked, 

 the intramarginal vein being removed from the edge ; a dull green on both sides, 

 mealy or glaucous, 3 to 4 inches long. This latter form of leaf is mostly found on 

 the square abnormal branchlets. The normal leaves are lanceolate in shape, 

 acuminate, not shining, lateral veins fine, numerous ; the intramarginal vein 

 close to or not far removed from the edge. Peduncles axillary, 3 lines long, 

 thick, flattened, bearing five to seven flowers. Calyx cylindrical or angular, under 2 

 lines long ; operculum short, obtuse. 



Fruit. Sessile, almost hemispherical, slightly 

 ribbed at the base ; rim narrow, with 

 a groove below it ; valves sunk or 

 just exserted; 4 lines long and 3 to 4 

 lines in diameter. 



In shape these fruits are almost a facsimile of 

 E. Gunnii, E. pulveru'.enta, E. cinerea, or 

 E. unialata. 



Habitat. Victoria, and throughout the central districts 

 of New South Wales. 



REMARKS. -This tree as E. elteophora, F.v.M., was described by Baron von Mueller in his Fragmenta 

 Phylographice Australia, Vol. IV, p. 52 (1863-4), under the impression that it was distinct from his original E. 

 goniocalyx, described some years previously (1859). Bentham. however, in his Flora Australiensis, Vol. Ill, p. 230, 

 places E. clceophora with E. goniocalyx, and Baron von Mueller in his Eucalyptograp/iia concurs in this synonym. 

 Bentham's results were founded on herbarium specimens, and as recent experience has shown that Eucalypts cannot 

 be determined on such material alone, one can readily understand E. dceophota being regarded as a variety of E. 

 goniocalyx. Mueller's original descriptions (Inc. cit.) of the two species in our opinion, show clearly that two distinct 

 trees are referred to, and it is therefore rather difficult to understand why he accepted Bentham's diagnosis, as he 

 probably found a difficulty in reconciling it with his previous work, for in combining the two under his description 

 of E. goniocalyx in his Eucalyptographia, he states, inter alia, " as regards the nature of the bark, it fluctuates between, 

 the groups htntiphloia and leiophloiiz, in the latter case the tree passes among the woodmen as ' Blue ' and ' White 

 Gum,' in the other case, as Grey' or 'Bastard Box.' .... the above-quoted synonym (E. elceophora) 

 perta'ins to the variety with more persistent bark." The "Grey" or "Bastard Box," is, therefore, his E. 

 ela-ophora, and as its timber is almost worthless, the two trees from this one point alone cannot be placed under 

 the same species, particularly from an economic point of view. The bark distinguishes it also from E. goniocalyx, 

 as well as the buds, fruits, leaves, and oil. Bentham was probably led to unite the species owing to the similarity 

 of calyx, anthers, and fruits (partly) ; but Mueller's concurrence in the suppression of his species was probably 

 owing to his want of knowledge of the trees in their native habitat, for had he so seen the trees, one could 

 hardly think that he would have approved of Bentham's arrangement. This tree was restored to specific rank 

 (Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1900), by Messrs. Deane and Maiden, under the name of E. Cambaei, but has since 

 been suppressed, and given its original rank of E. el&ophora, by Maiden, Crit. Rev.. Vol. II, p. 275. It 

 has affinities with E. Bridgrsiana, R.T.B., having a light-coloured, open-grained timber, with a " Box " bark. 



ESSENTIAL OIL. Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were 

 obtained from Bungendore, N.S.W., in March, 1899. The yield of oil was 0-84 

 per cent. The crude oil was reddish-brown in colour, and had an odour resembling 

 those of the cineol-pinene oils generally. It was very rich in cineol. Pinene 



