22- 



117. Eucalyptus af finis. 



(H.D. & J.H.M., Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1900, p. 104, t. V.) 



Systematic. A tree of moderate size, attaining a height of 80 feet and a 

 diameter of 2 feet 6 inches. The bark in appearance looks half " Ironbark " and 

 half " Box," and has strong affinities to both. Abnormal leaves alternate, ovate, 

 obtuse, slightly emarginate, and mucronate, about 3 inches long by if- inch 

 broad; intramarginal vein at a considerable distance from the edge. Normal 

 leaves lanceolate, slightly falcate, pale-coloured, dull on both sides, rather coria- 

 ceous, usually 2 to 3 inches long lateral veins at an angle of 30 with the mid-rib, 

 but inconspicuous except the mid-rib and thickened margins, intramarginal vein 

 indistinct and at some distance from the edge. Peduncles axillary, flattened 

 at first, but nearly terete when the fruit is ripe, with three to seven flowers. Calyx 

 tube attenuate, tapering into a short pedicel ; the operculum attenuate. 



Fruit. Ovate-truncate, tapering at the base, some- 

 what contracted at the orifice ; rim 

 narrow, truncate, slightly convex and 

 dark-coloured ; valves depressed ; about 3 

 lines in diameter. 



Some of the fruits are uncommonly like those of E. albens, 

 as also arc the buds. 



Habitat. Wellington and Dubbo, towards Molong and Parkes, 

 Grenfell, and in other parts of the western districts 

 of New South Wales. 



REMARKS. The true affinities of the species are in the opinion of Deane and Maiden (loc. cit.) with E. 

 sidcroxylon, A. Cnnn., and /:. licniip/iloia, F.v.M. Mr. Cambage is of opinion that the tree is a hybrid between E. 

 hcwiphloia, or E. albens, and E. sideroxylon. Botanically it is close to E. albens, the thick, deeply furrowed bark 

 being the only feature of differentiation. The timber of E. affinis varies, sometimes it is nearly as red as E. sider- 

 oxylon, sometimes much paler, approaching that of E. mclliodora, and sometimes it is pale with red streaks or patches 

 intermixed. In general aspect E. affinis is more like E. albens, and would never be mistaken for E melliodora or for 

 /:'. hemiphloia. The result of our investigations shows it to have little connection with the group of " Boxes " to 

 which E. albens or E. hemiphloia belong. 



ESSENTIAL OIL. Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were 

 obtained from Grenfell, N.S.W., in April, 1901. The yield of oil was 0-26 per 

 cent. The crude oil was of a reddish orange-brown colour, and had an odour 

 resembling those belonging to the cineol-pinene class. Volatile aldehydes were 

 not pronounced. Cineol was detected, but not in large amount. Pinene was 

 present, but phellandrene was absent. The principal constituent in this oil was 

 the sesquiterpene, and this, of course, caused the crude oil to have a high viscosity, 

 a high specific gravity, and to boil at a high temperature. It is probable that 

 aromadendral was present also, judging from the laevo-rotation of the second 

 fraction and the odour. 



The crude oil had specific gravity at 15 C. = 0-9259; rotation D + 5-6; 

 refractive index at 20 C. = 1-4864, and was soluble in i volume 80 per cent, 

 alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 4-7, 



