170 



" The species varies very much, in the size and number of the flowers, and the 

 shape of the operculum. In the original Tasmanian form, common also in Victoria, 

 the peduncles are mostly 3-flowered, although occasionally many-flowered specimens 

 occur.'' (76., p. 240.) 



Howitt's " typical form of E. viminalis " (Eucalypts of Gippsland, Trans. R. 

 Soc. Vict, ii, Part i, p. 97, pi. 15, figs. 23-31), includes a form with 5 flowers. 



" Umbels generally three-flowered " (Mueller, " Eucalyptographia "). 



" E. viminalis rarius 4-7 floris " (Fragm. ii, 64). 



At Lidsdale, New South Wales, we found trees of the true " Manna, or Weeping 

 White Gum," flowers mostly in threes, but up to 7's; and in the Kanimbla Valley 

 (road to Lowther) with flowers in 4's. 



We have often amused ourselves in searching for 4's and even for 5's in trees 

 that appeared to have the inflorescence entirely in 3's, and usually found them, if 

 sufficient patience were exercised. 



It is often convenient in practice to divide the species into those which have 

 the flowers in threes and those which have them in more than three. We have 

 multiflowered specimens from every State in which the species is found. 



E. viminalis has been sent to me with crimson filaments from Mount Wilson 

 by Mr. Jesse Gregson. 



Fruits.—" Fruit-rim not very convex and often flat. In the New South 

 Wales specimens the flowers and fruits are usually small." (B.F1. iii, 240.) The 

 size and shape of the fruits vary a good deal. We have some quite small ones from 

 Tasmania, and the largest ones we have ever seen are from northern New South 

 Wales. From that part of the State we have also obtained some smaller than the 

 average, and some with valves protruding further than we have seen them from any 

 other locality. Sometimes they are nearly hemispherical; others are longer in 

 proportion to the width. 



E. viminalis is known as the Manna Gum because of the manna it exudes from 

 the leaves. It seems more appropriate to discuss the subject of manna in my " Forest 

 Flora of New South Wales." In New South Wales at least E. rubida yields manna 

 more abundantly than does E. viminalis. 



