236 



725. Eucalyptus viminalis, 



(Labill., in PI. Nov. Holl., ii, 126, t. 151.) 

 Manna or White Gum. 



Systematic. Sometimes a very large tree, probably the largest of New 

 South Wales Eucalypts. Bark smooth, decorticating in long strips, or rough 

 and dark-coloured. Abnormal leaves sessile, cordate-lanceolate, acuminate. 

 Normal leaves lanceolate, mostly under 6 inches long; venation prominent, 

 lateral veins oblique, spreading. Peduncles axillary, about 2 or 3 lines long, 

 mostly three-flowered. Calyx tube hemispherical; operculum acuminate. 



Fruit. Hemispherical, shining, reddish-coloured ; 

 rim rounded ; valves much expanded and 

 well exserted ; 3 lines in diameter. 



The fruits of E. Dalrympleana are very much like 

 those of this species, as also are E. pumila, E. Seeana 

 and E. Bancroft!. 



Habitat. Tablelands of the Great Dividing Range, New South 

 Wales; South Australia; Victoria; Tasmania; 

 Queensland. 



REMARKS. This is one of the most widely distributed species of the Genus in Australia, as well as pro- 

 bably the tallest. It is moderately constant, varying only a little in specific characters, whether growing in 

 alluvial flats, basalt (Shoalhaven), or granite (Bathurst). Occasionally the number of flowers in the umbel 

 ranges from three up to seven, but the usual number is three. The insect markings on the bark of E. viminalis 

 differ from those of E. hcemastoma, as they almost invariably occur in straight, horizontal lines, and not in 

 scribbles as obtains in the latter species. E. lactea, R.T.B., has the facies of this tree in the field, so that care 

 is required not to confound them, but the abnormal leaves are ovate or lanceolate, and not sessile as in 

 E. viminalis. 



ESSENTIAL OIL. Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were 

 obtained from Cadia, near Orange, N.S.W., in June, 1898. The yield of oil was 

 0-36 per cent. The crude oil was dark-coloured, and had an odour resembling 

 the cineol-terpene oils generally. Dextro-rotatory pinene was present, and 

 phellandrene also, and the presence of this terpene appears to be characteristic 

 for the oil of this Eucalypt wherever found growing. A rather large amount of 

 the sesquiterpene was also present. Cineol occurs only in fair amount. 



The crude oil had specific gravity at 15 C. = 0-9162; rotation not taken; 

 refractive index at 20 = 1-4798, and was soluble in i volume 80 per cent, alcohol. 

 The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 7-9. 



