195 



It is a tree of large size, although not of the largest. Its height may be given as, 

 say, 60 to 80 feet, with a diameter of 2 or 3 feet. 



The term Grey Gum is applied to E. punctata because of the dull grey appearance 

 of the bark. The bark has a roughish or raspy appearance, in contradistinction to a 

 smooth and even shiny one, possessed by so many of our gums. It has smooth, white 

 patches in places, caused by the outer layer of bark falling off. These white patches 

 in their turn become grey, and the process of exfoliation of the bark is repeated 

 until probably the whole of the bark on the trunk is shed at one time or another. 

 Although rather difficult to properly describe, the bark of the Grey Gum is so 

 characteristic that, when once pointed out it could not be confused with the bark of 

 any other hardwood tree. 



It is called " Black Box " at Capertee, owing to the darkness of the bark. The 

 smooth bark is sometimes of a yellow ochre or pale brown colour, hence it might then be 

 appropriately called " Brown-barked Gum." 



The names " Leather Jacket " and " Hickory," which originated from the Rev. 

 Dr. Woolls (referring to Manly specimens) are mentioned by Bentham (B.F1. iii, 245) 

 under E. resinifera, since he confused E. punctata with E. resinifera. 



Mueller (" Eucalyptographia ") emphasises the names " Leather Jacket " and 

 : ' Hickory," and gives one the impression that they are widely used. I have travelled 

 extensively in E. punctata country, and never heard the names applied to it in my life— 

 always Grey Gum. Dr. Woolls alone has published the names, and he probably got them 

 from one local resident who very likely gave the names offhand. 



George Caley, the botanical collector for Sir Joseph Banks, stated (9th February, 

 1807) that " Mandowe," or " Mundowey," was the name given by the blacks of the 

 Sydney district. It is interesting to note that, half a century later, Sir William 

 Macarthur gave the name " Maandowie," as the aboriginal name of the Camden blacks 

 for the local Grey Gum. 



Variety. 



Variety grandiflora Deane and Maiden (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. xxvi, 133, 

 1901). 



This is a large-flowered and large-fruited form. Leaves punctate. Buds all 

 ovoid. Double operculum. Rim at junction of calyx and operculum very sharp. 

 The calyx-tube usually angled. Fruits, 7 to 8 lines in diameter. Valves usually not 

 much exserted. 



The type comes from near Dungog, on a hill 7 miles on the Booral Road. 

 Bark and timber not to be distinguished from that of normal punctata. There is no 

 line of demarcation between the normal and grandiflora forms, the transition being 

 gradual. 



