231 



DESCRIPTION. 



CCLXXIV. E. decor ticans sp. no v. 



Arbor magna, cortice nigricante dura sulcata, E. siderophloiae similibus; raniis albis, laevibus, deciduis, 

 iigno rubro mediocre; foliis junioribus angustissimis lincari-lahceolatis vel lanceolatis; foliis maturis 

 lanceolatis utrimque aequo viridibus, vcnis (praeter costam mediam) inconspicuis ; calycis tubo obconico 

 in pediccllum brevem angustato ; operculo plerumque obtuso ; fructu ovoideo-cylindrico, 7 mm. diametro, 

 valvarum apicibus paulo exsertis. 



Bark. — On the butt blackish, hard, furrowed, with flattish ridges after the fashion of E. siderofhloia 

 but with bare branches as described by Dr. T. L. Bancroft in the following extract from a letter : — '" A 

 remarkably fine tree, like a large Grey Ironbark, but the branches of the top. up to the size of a man's arm 

 or even thicker, are white in colour ; covered with a thin, smooth bark ; the bark is always peeling ofi 

 these thin branches, and the ground below is strewn with it after the style of E. hemiphloia." 



Timber inferior in quality, colour red. 



Juvenile leaves. — Extremely narrow, linear lanceolate to lanceolate, some specimens having 

 an average length of 5 or 6 dm. and a diameter of 8 cm., oil dots abundant. 



Mature leaves. — Lanceolate, slightly curved, acuminate, equally green on both sides, drying 

 to a pale green, venation (except the midrib) inconspicuous, the lateral viens very fine and somewhat 

 spreading, the marginal vein close to or very near the edge. 



Flowers. — Umbels three to six flowered, usually three or four together in short axillary or terminal 

 panicles, the peduncles angular. Calyx-tube obconical with one or two angles, tapering into a short pedicel. 

 Operculum usually bhmt-pointed, about as long as the calyx-tube. Stamens inflected in the bud, anthers 

 broad, white, opening at the sides, filament at the base, small gland at the top. 



Fruit. — Ovoid cylindrical, and 7 mm. in diameter, often with one or two angles, with a darker 

 coloured rim hardly constructed at the orifice, the tips of the valves slightly protruding. 



This form is known as " Mountain Ironbark," " Naked Top Ironbark," or " Gum Top." 



This description is based on one in Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S.W., xlvii, 80 (1913), 

 but we have acquired additional information concerning it, and it now seems distinct, 

 and therefore a name should be given to it. I have therefore pleasure in bringing 

 Mr. F. M. Bailey's forma decorticans (of E. siderophloia) up to specific rank, if that 

 be admissible. I take the opportunity (in addition to the name of Dr. Bancroft 

 already quoted) of saying how indebted I am to Mr. C. T. White, the Government 

 Botanist of Queensland, for valuable help. 



SYNONYM. 



E. siderophloia Benth. forma deeor ticans Bailey, in Queenslmid Agric. Journ., 

 xxvi, 127 (March, 1911). 



" This tree resembles the narrow-leaved forms of the species (siderophloia), 

 differing principally in the bark of the branches, even Avlien as thick as a man's arm, 

 being deciduous." (Complete original description.) 



