228 A CONTEIBTJTION TO, ETC. 



(12.) E. dealbata is one of the so-called " White Gums," from 

 the neighbourhood of Bathurst and Mudgee. Its average height 

 is about fifty feet without any branches, but on the upper part, 

 the foliage is rather thick, and presents a whitish or glaucous 

 appearance, the leaves being covered with a powdery substance 

 which can be rubbed off. The bark varies in colour according to 

 the age, being white or of a purplish tinge when young, and 

 getting brownish when old. It is reported to shed its bark only 

 once in three years, and the wood is of a light colour, and too 

 soft to be of much use. 



(13.) E. mminalis is the " Manna," " Drooping," or " "White 

 Gum" from Bathurst, Mudgee, &c. It is one of those species 

 which yields a peculiar substance termed " Manna," and is re- 

 markable for its elegant appearance. This tree is sometimes 150 

 feet in height, and eight feet in diameter, but the wood is not 

 much esteemed. Some of the specimens referred to this species 

 belong to one of the Grey Gums (E. saligna), and others to the 

 Camden Woolly-but, which according to the cortical system, must 

 be placed in separate sections. 



(14.) E. rostrata is a large tree, growing for the most part on 

 the banks of rivers in the interior, and frequently called 

 " Flooded Gum," but sometimes "Bed Gum" or "White Gum." 

 By the aboriginal natives, it is known as the " Yarrah," (though 

 that name is applied to almost any tree), and on the Darling 

 and Lachlan sometimes exceeds 100 feet in height. Sir T. 

 Mitchell says, " Its huge gnarled trunks, wild romantic formed 

 branches often twisting in coils, shining white or light red bark, 

 and dark masses of foliage, with consequent streaks of shadow 

 below, frequently produced effects fully equal to the wildest forest 

 scenery of Buysdael or Waterloo. Often as I hurried along, did 

 I take my last look with reluctance of scenes forming the most 

 captivating studies. The " yarrah" is certainly a pleasing 

 object in various respects, for its shining bark and lofty height 

 inform the traveller of a distant probability of water, or at least 

 of the bed of a river or lake ; and being visible over all other 

 trees, it usually marks the course of rivers so well, that in travel- 

 ling along the Darling and Lachlan, I could with ease trace the 

 general course of the river, without approaching its banks, until 

 I wished to encamp." When Mrs Eorde was in the neighbourhood 



