255 



137. Eucalyptus fastigata. 



(H.D. & J.H.M., Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1895, p. 798.) 

 Blackbutt, Peppermint, Cut Tail. 



Systematic. A tall tree, the bark of which resembles closely that of 

 E. obliqua, the principal difference between the two trees in this respect consisting 

 in the fact that the tops and branches of " Cut -tail " are smooth, while those of 

 E. obliqua are the reverse. Abnormal leaves, ovate-lanceolate; the veining of 

 the underside prominent; the twigs rusty, tuberculate, like E. amygdalina, and 

 some other species. Normal leaves lanceolate, and, when fully grown, narrow- 

 lanceolate, often more or less ovate-lanceolate, and always more or less attenuate. 

 They are rather chartaceous, smooth, and shining. The chief characteristic 

 of the buds is the shortly acuminate operculum, which is much accentuated in 

 dried specimens. 



Fruit. Pear-shaped on a slender pedicel; rim 

 domed ; valves somewhat exserted, three- 

 celled, as far as seen ; diameter 2\ to nearly 

 3 lines. 



This is a very characteristic fruit and when known 

 easily distinguished from the other species. The fruits 

 may be said to somewhat resemble those of E. dives, 

 Schau. ; otherwise the species presents no difficulties in 

 determination. It is in no way allied with E. vitrea, 

 R.T.B. It differs from that of E. obliqua in being 

 more or less conical, while that of E. obliqua is sub- 

 cylindrical. E. regnans has a truncate or countersunk 

 rim. 



Habitat. Clyde district, New South Wales ; Victoria. 



REMARKS. The authors of this species are inclined to regard it as not specifically different from 

 E. regnans, of Mueller (Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1899, p. 460). We, however, prefer to consider these two 

 "Eucalypts as distinct, for Mueller's description of the latter species in Report Acclm. Soc., Viet., No. 1870, is so very 

 clear and precise that he could hardly have confounded the material of E. fastigata when describing E. regnans. 

 The tree is tall, with a fibrous bark, and has an exceedingly fissile timber, which is in much request locally, and is 

 reputed to be very durable in the ground. It does not occur in Tasmania, where E. regnans is to be found, and 

 which has there a smooth bark as well as in Victoria. 



ESSENTIAL OIL. Leaves and terminal branrhlets for distillation were 

 obtained from Monga, N.S.W., in September, 1898. The yield of oil was 0-12 per 

 cent. The crude oil was red in colour, and had rather an unpleasant odour. 

 It consisted principally of pinene, phellandrene, cineol, and crystallised eudesmol. 

 That the pmene was dextro-rotatory is indicated by the first fraction having a 

 rotation to the right, while the second fraction, which contained most of the 

 phellandrene, was laevo-rotatory. Cineol was present in small amount, about 

 8 or 10 per cent, in the crude oil. Eudesmol was present in quantity in the third 

 fraction, the oil crystallising solid in the receiver soon after distillation. 



The crude oil had specific gravity at 15 C. = 0-9001 ; refractive index at 

 20 = 1-4816, and was soluble in 5 volumes 80 per cent, alcohol. The saponifi- 

 cation number for the esters and free acid was 14-9, 



