85 



DESCRIPTION. 



CXXXIV. E. aggregata Deane and Maiden. 



Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. xxiv. 614 (1899). 



Following i.s the original description :— 



An umbrageous tree, probably worthy o£ cultivation in cold, damp situations for ornamental purposes. 



Local Names. — "' Peppermint " at Wallcrawang, jnobably because of the fibrous appearance of the 

 bark. Known as *" Flooded Gum " in most districts, an exception to the usual rule in Australia to limit 

 the term " Gum " to those species of Eucalypts having smooth or nearly smooth barks. It has been called 

 both " Sally '" and " Messmate "' in the Cropkwell district: while it is known as " Black Gum " at Fagan'3 

 Creek, according to Mr. Bauerlcn. 



Size. — Usually smsll gnarled trees, but a number 30 or -10 feet with a trunk of 12— IS inches or even 

 2 feet. 



Bark. — Bos-like or rather more flak}-; between that of a Box and a Stringybark or Woollybutt; 

 cuts woolly. The trunk, large and small branches are all rough; the ultimate branchlcts alone beiug 

 smooth. In old trees*very thick and containing essential oil. 



Timber. — White and tough when fresh, bnt the trunk is usually not straight enough and large 

 enough, as a general rule, for marketable timber : reckoned wortldcss for standing in the ground. 



Younsr Leaves. — Quite glabrous ; oval to nearly oblong; strictly opposite up to an inch long; the 

 margins undulate ; mucronate with a short point. Young trees are often eaten down by cattle. 



Mature Leaves. — Foliage semi-pendulous, lanceolate in shape ; usually symmetrical, but oblique 

 leaves not rare ; undulate ; equally green on both sides, scarcely shining ; on the average probably 

 4i inches long by 1 broad. Intramarginal vein considerably removed frcm the edge; other veins few 

 but conspicuous ; very oblique. 



Buds. — Usually four to six in the umbel, but sevens not rare; stalk up to $ inch long, hardly 

 compressed, more compressed as the fruit reaches maturity; the stalklets short and round. The 

 operculum and calyx-tube about equal, and both tapering towards a point, the operculum being nearly 

 conical. 



Flowers. — Stamens apparently all fertile and inflected in the bud; stigma not dilated; anthers 

 opening by parallel slits. 



Fruits. — Hemispherical in shape and sometimes, owiDg to the shortening of the stalklets, so 

 clustered together as to form a dense head, hence the specific name; small, not exceeding ^ inch in 

 diameter, with a well-defined, sharp rim, domed, and with 3 or 4 well exserted valves, 



