229 



I quote the original descriptions of both E. Fergusoni and E. Ncmglei. 

 E. Fergmoni R. T. Baker, in Joum. Roy. Soc. N.S.W., li, 415 (1917). (Bloodwood-bark Ironbark.) 



Description. — A tall fine typical specimen of an Ironbark, with a facies in the field of some- 

 thing approaching a " Bloodwood," from the nature of the bark, which resembles somewhat those species 

 of Eucalypts. It is probably the thinnest bark of all the Ironbarks, and lacks the deep furrows so common 

 to the group, being friable and so very short in the fibre on the exterior half, but hard and compact and 

 deep red in colour for the remaining thickness, there being almost an entire absence of kino. The early 

 leaves, say two or three, are at first rather broadly lanceolate, from 7 to 9 inches long and 2^ to 3 inches 

 broad, but later leaves much smaller and less coriaceous than the earlier ones, venation distinct, intra- 

 marginal vein removed from the edge, lateral veins medium oblique. Normal leaves lanceolate, falcate, 

 varying in length and width, and may be described in a general way as only medium size for an ironbark, 

 not thick ; venation not at all distinct as a rule, intramarginal vein removed from the edge, lateral veins 

 fairly oblique. Inflorescence paniculate-corymbose, but when developed into the fruiting stage becoming 

 almost corymbose. Calyx pyriform, ribbed. Operculum conical, the rim of the calyx bulging beyond 

 the base of it. Fruits pear-shaped on a long slender pedicel, strongly four-ribbed, contracted at the rather 

 thin rim, valves deeply inserted, 9 lines long and 4 lines wide. 



Timber. — The colour is a deep red or reddish chocolate when fresh cut, but rather inclined to 

 become a lighter red when aged. It is hard, heavy, straight or interlocked in the grain, which may be 

 described as rather open, the vessels being conspicuous in a longitudinal cut, and appearing as whitish 

 streaks. It planes and dresses well, and is suitable for all kinds of heavy constructional works. 



In its economics it is probably equal to the very best of other Ironbarks, such as E. crehra, 

 E. paniculata, E. siderophloia. 



Then follows an account of the microscopic structure of the timber. 



Geographical Range. — Bulladelah and Wingello. 



(I have received from Mr. Baker a specimen labelled Bulladelah (L. C. Maxwell, 

 October, 1916), as typical for E. Fergusoni.) 



Affinities. — It is not easy to place this species in its systematic sequence, as whilst timber places 

 it near E. siderophloia, the bark, leaves and fruits especially difierentiate it from that species, as these 

 features also do from other described species of Ironbarks, E. crehra, E. paniculata, E. sideroxyhn, 

 E. Caleyi, E. drepanophylla. 



It might be placed between E. siderophloia and the pink Ironbark of this paper, E. Nanglei. (Origina 1 

 description.) 



"Research has shown that the timber of this tree was exhibited at the Paris International Exhibition 

 of 1862, imder the name of E. crehra, but later this name was changed on the specimen fto E. paniculata." 

 (End of original description.) 



Following are my owti comments : — 



1. The word Paris in connection with 1862 is, of course, a sUp of the pen. No 

 specimen of an Ironbark timber named as to species was exhibited either in the Paris 

 Exhibition of 1855, or in the London Exhibition of 1862. 



2. The " timber of this tree " refers to one of a number of little hand-samples, 

 being Sir William Macarthur's reference set (it was he who made the New South Wales 

 timber collections for these exhibitions). These were spoken about to me by Sir William 

 at Camden Park in February, 1881, and some years later they were presented by 

 Mrs. Macarthur Onslow, his niece, and placed by me in the Technological Museum. 



B 



