208 



tion during any of my numerous wanderings through the 

 unexplored portions of Tasmania, and one which I could not 

 find described in the Flora of the Colonies, was first observed 

 on a saddle of the dividing range between the Huon and Der- 

 went watersheds. 



On this bleak, high land, at an altitude of over 2,000 feet 

 above sea level, the tree attains a height of quite one hundred 

 feet. Further investigations led to the discovery of a splendid 

 forest, extending in a narrow strip for three miles along the 

 southern side of the range. Here, in a less exposed situation 

 and at a much lower elevation, this magnificent tree rises to the 

 stupendous height of two hundred feet ; and in many cases, for 

 half that lofty distance its long straight stems are branchless, a 

 most noticeable peculiarity in its growth. The bark is thin, 

 smooth, and of a reddish or chocolate colour ; but where the 

 deciduous part is freshly shed, it is mottled with yellowish 

 streaks or blotches. The wood is of a light red colour, extremely 

 hard and surprisingly heavy, and is of a stringy and close- 

 grained character. 



These recommendable characteristics of the wood, added to 

 the natural hardiness of the tree — luxuriantly growing, as it 

 does, in unsheltered situations and in poor soil — convinces me 

 that the timber will be found to .equal the far-famed wood of 

 the E. globulus, not only in durability, but as a commercial 

 product ; and being so highly recommended by so eminent 

 an authority as Baron von Mueller, the tree should most 

 undoubtedly be brought under trial culture and conservation 

 by the Government of the Island, without any unnecessary 

 delay. 



As 1 wished to announce the discovery of this Eucalypt to 

 our Eoyal Society, before leaving the South of Tasmania, I am 

 unavoidably obliged, on account of not being able to obtain the 

 blossom at the present time, to forward these incomplete notes, 

 but take this pleasurable opportunity to name the new species 

 in honor of Baron Von Mueller, and with his assistance, at 

 some future date, purpose compiling an illustrated paper with 

 systematic comparisons as to its Phytography. 



The flower does not expand until next month, but on com- 

 paring the unexpanded ones with those of the E. Gunnii, the 

 stamens and anthers seem similar in both. 



The leaves of the younger and smaller trees differ very slightly 

 from those of the older and larger ones, the latter being more 

 lanceolate and acuminate than the former. The following is a 

 description of the new species, Eucalyptus Miielleri :— -Branch- 

 lets spreading, cylindrical ; leaves thick, alternate, shining and 

 crenulatcd; lanceolate or ovate, often acuminate, oblique rarely 

 straight ; veins indistinct, circumferential vein irregular, but 

 generally close to edge of leaf, oil-glands pellucid. Peduncles 



