•4oO history of 



TEA TREE OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 

 MELALEUCA? TRINERVIA, 



This is a small shrub, very much branched. 

 The bark full of longitudinal fissures, and ea- 

 sily separated from the branches. Leaves on 

 short footstalks, alternate, lanceolate, pointed, 

 intire, about three quarters of an inch in length, 

 smooth on both sides, marked with three lon- 

 gitudinal ribs, and reticulated with transverse 

 veins ; they are also full of resinous spots, the 

 seat of an aromatic essential oil. It most nearly 

 approaches the Leptospermum virgatum of Forf- 

 ter, referred by the younger Linnasus, perhaps 

 improperly, to Melaleuca. At least it may 

 safely be determined to belong to the same 

 genus with the Melaleuca virgata Linn. Supp. 

 though a distinct species. The specific dif- 

 ference between them is, that the leaves of this 

 plant have three ribs, whereas M. virgata has 

 leaves perfectly destitute of ribs or veins. 

 Hence it is judged the figure and description 

 of Rumphius, Herb. Amboin. V. 2. t. 18. to 

 belong rather to this Tea Tree, than to M. vir- 

 gata; and if this conjecture be right, the 

 plants are still further distinguished by the in- 

 florescence, which in M. virgata is an umbel, 

 whereas in the figure above mentioned the flow- 

 ers are solitary. 



