THE GENITS EUCALYPTUS. 229 



of Wentworth in 1865, that lady mentioned this species of Eu- 

 calyptus as appearing perfectly beautiful on the banks of the 

 Darling. The trees seemed largely and nobly proportioned, whilst 

 the leaves had a drooping habit, and the flowers were very small. 

 It is said that the yarrah of South Australia is impervious to 

 the White Ant and Teredo navalis, ^ind that a large quantity of 

 it has been used on railways. The wood, however, does not always 

 bear so good a character. The specific gravity varies from 

 0-858 to 0-923 (Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition 1861). 

 From the circumstance of this tree being called "Flooded 

 Gum," it has sometimes been confused with the " Flooded 

 G-um" of the Clarence; &c,, (E. goniocalyx), but the species 

 are perfectly distinct. 



(15.) E. tereticornis, sometimes called " Grey Gum," some- 

 times " Eed or Blue Gum," and sometimes " Bastard Box," 

 is one of the most variable species we have. The leaves 

 and flower-buds are subject to great diversity in shape and 

 appearance, and the seed vessels differ very much in size. The 

 type of the species has an umbel of seven florets, but some- 

 times, especially in damp or low ground, the florets are smaller 

 and more numerous. Notwithstanding the irregularity of 

 inflorescence, the seed vessel is uniformly of the same character, 

 having a broad rim, and the valves of the capsule protruding. The 

 wood is more prized in some districts than in others, but where 

 Iron Bark cannot be procured, it is always considered suitable 

 for rails and posts, as well as for fuel. In some respects, this 

 species resembles E. goniocalyx, and over the mountains the 

 variety brevifolia or Eed Gum is not merely prized for ordinary 

 purposes, but it is said to have a beautiful grain, similar to 

 English oak, and to bear a polish. It is very durable, whether 

 exposed or not. 



(16.) E. punctata. Under the varieties of the preceding, Mr. 

 Bentham places E. punctata, or what is frequently termed 

 " Hickory or Leather Jacket." The flowers and seed vessels of 

 this tree so closely resemble those of the " Eed Mahogany," that 

 Mr. Bentham has evidently regarded them as belonging to the 

 same species, whereas the trees differ so much in wood, bark, and 

 habit, that they must be referred to separate sections. The 

 " Hickory" attains about the same height as the preceding 



