272 



DESCRIPTION. 



CII. E. nitens, n. sp. 



I SUGGEST that the tree hitlierto kaown as E. ijouioc dux, F.v. M., var. nitens, 

 Deane and Maiden, is wortliy of specific rank, and describe it in the following 

 terms :— 



Arbor major, "Giant Gum,'' ".Silver Top," diverse nomiiiata. 



Cortex basi rugosus, deeiduus, in stratis tenuibus secedens, parte superiore laeve. 



Lignum fissile, pallidum. Ramuli quadrangulares et alirjuando alati. Folia juvenia obtuse 

 lanceolata, basi cordata, amplexicaulia. Folia matura nitidula, crassa, petiolata, falcata, lanceolata. 

 Venae patentes. Vena peripherica a margine remota. 



Folia aliqua undulata et margines irregulariter dentatae videntur propter tubercuia inseetis facta. 



Fructus nitidi ad 7 in eapite, circiter 5 mm. longi, ovoidi, valvularum apices leniter aiigulares sub 

 orificio deplessi. 



A very large tree, growing to a height of '200-300 feet, and with a diameter (measured by Mr. 

 W. Baeuerlen) of 2-17 feet. 



Known as "Giant Gum" or "White Gum," in the Bombala district of N.H.W., but perhaps more 

 distinctively "Silver-top" or "Silver-top Gum" in reference to the smooth and shining bark of the upper 

 part of the trunk. 



Bark. — Deciduou.s, hanging in strips, and more or less rough at the butt ; the upper portion, 

 which usually includes nearly the whole of the trunk, smooth, and even shining. 



Timber. — Almost flesh-coloured when fresh ; dries very white. Straight in the grain, not very 

 easy to work to a smooth surface, being slightly teary and shrinking in the grain on exposure to the 

 atmosphere. 



Juvenile Foliage. — Branchlets quadrangular and even-winged. Leaves equally green on both 

 aides, somewhat glaucous. Bluntly lanceolate in shape, the bases cordate and stem-clasping. Rather thin 

 in texture, covered with minute oil-dots, mid-rib prominent, lateral veins spreading, the intramarginal 

 vein scarcely obvious, the margin slightly thickened. 



Mature Leaves. — Equally green on both sides, .somewhat shining, thickiah. petiolate, falcate, 

 lanceolate, nearly symmetrical, venation spreading, intramarginal vein distant from the edge. The 

 mature leaves may attain a length of over 1 foot, and a width of 3 inches, but usually they are very 

 much smaller. 



A character which I have not seen in any other species has been described as follows at my 

 request by Mr. E. Mackinnon. He has also made illustrative drawings, which have not been 

 reproduced. 



Small tubercles appear irregularly distributed along both margins of tlie leaves. The base is 

 approximately 1 mm. in diameter, and the centre of the tubercle is generally depressed and black. 



Microscopic examination of the tissue in this area and in the ordinary margin of the leaf shows 

 that the abnormality is probably due to injury by sime insect, as the leaf has been stimulated to produce 

 cork-tissue to surround and close oft' the injured pai't from the rest of the leaf. 



Mr. Froggatt, Government Entomologist, is of the opinion that the insects responsible belong to 

 the family Coreidese (Gum Tree Bugs) or the family Cercopida; (Frog Hoppers). 



