287 



ESSENTIAL OIL. Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation 

 were obtained from National Park N.S.W., in September, igoo. The yield of 

 oil was 0-3 per cent. The crude oil was light amber in colour, and had a 

 peppermint odour due to the presence of a small quantity of piperitone. It 

 contained a large quantity of phellandrene, but only a small amount of pinene. 

 Cineol was present, but not more than about 10 per cent, in the first fraction. A 

 lemon odour was detected in the portion distilling at about 230 C., so that 

 probably citral occurs in the oil, especially as the presence of a high-boiling 

 aldehyde was shown. Esters were only present in very -small amount Eudesmol 

 was detected, as it crystallised after the more volatile constituents had evaporated. 

 The crude oil had specific gravity at 15 C. -- 0-879 ; rotation a 27-5 ; 

 refractive index at 20 = 1-4880, and was insoluble in 10 volumes 80 per cent, 

 alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 2-3. 



On rectification, 2 per cent, distilled below 172 C. (corr.). Between 

 172-183 75 per cent, distilled ; between 183-224, 13 per cent, came over, and 

 between 224-278, 6 per cent, distilled. These fractions gave the following 

 results : - 



First fraction, sp. gr. at 15 C. := 0-8719; rotation a D 30-2. 



Second ,, ., ,, =0-8885; <> - - 22-7. 



Third - ,, ,, ,, =0-9237; ,, not taken. 



755. Eucalyptus coccifera. 



(Hook., f., in Lond. Journ. Bot., vi, 477, 1847.) 



Systematic. A small tree, generally very glaucous, with a smooth white 

 bark. Abnormal leaves opposite, sessile or shortly petiolate, oval, rarely obovate, 

 mucronate, about i inch long. Normal leaves lanceolate or narrow elliptical, 

 usually acuminate, uncinate, thick and shining, 2 to 3 inches long ; venation not 

 prominent, intramarginal vein well removed from the edge, lateral veins oblique. 

 Flowers sessile, from three to six on axillary or lateral peduncles, thick, flattened 

 upwards, 2 to '4 lines long. Calyx tube prominently angled, tapering to base, 

 3 lines long ; operculum very short, flat or depressed rugose. 



Fruit. Broad, turbinate, sometimes conoidal ; rim 

 broad, flat or somewhat domed; valves 

 scarcely exserted ; 5 lines long and 6 lines 

 in diameter. 



These fruits are fairly characteristic, perhaps the 

 nearest in shape are those of E. haemastoma, that is the 

 pedicellate form. The sessile fruits are near perhaps to 

 those of E. St. Johni, except that this rim is nearly flat. 



Habitat. Confined to Tasmania, at high elevations. 



REMARKS It is generally recorded as one of the few endemic Eucalypts of Tasmania, and as it only 

 occurs near or on the snow-line, does not assume large proportions, consequently its economics are 



