199 



Fruiting specimens of E. 'punctata var. grandifiura (e.g., fig. 1, Plate 123) and of 

 E. resinifera, transit forms to E. pellila F.v.M. (e.g., fig. 3c, Plate 120) resemble each 

 other a good deal. The rim of the latter is vertically banded, that of the former being 

 more horizontally so, while the buds of the large-fruited form of E. resinifera have the 

 operculum greater in diameter than that of the calyx-tube. 



2. With E. tereticornis Sm. 



The fact that the illustrious Bentham looked upon E. punctata as a form of 

 E. tereticornis is prima facie evidence that there is some similarity between them. 

 I will deal with the relations between the species when E. tereticornis is leached. 



3. With E. Stuartiana F.v.M. 



" From E. Stuartiana it is widely distant already in its leaves not of equal colour on both sides with 

 a different venation, besides in its thick and angular branchlets, paniculated upper umbels, broad umbel- 

 stalks, usually longer stalklets, longer lids and also the nature of the bark." (" Eucalyptographia " under 

 E. punctata.) 



E. Stuartiana is a " Box " barked species, the bark often resembling the back 

 of a shorn sheep. It is a scrambling tree ; E. punctata is more erect ; E. Stuartiana is 

 a pale coloured, worthless timber ; that of E. punctata is deep red, strong and very 

 durable. Their juvenile foliage also sharply separates them. 



4. With E. siderophloia Benth., and E. crebra F.v.M. 



These are two Red Ironbarks, and it is proper to remind my readers that the 

 timbers are often confused with that of E. punctata. Indeed it is so much like Ironbark 

 that it is difficult to discriminate between the timbers. That will be the best guide to 

 its appearance. An expert would usually detect the substitution for Ironbark (if he 

 suspected any substitution) by noting that a chip of Grey Gum is more brittle than 

 that of Ironbark ; it also cuts less horny. Nevertheless, the two timbers are wonder- 

 fully alike, and for many purposes Grey Gum is an efficient substitute for Ironbark, 

 for it is remarkably durable. Its inferior strength, as compared with Ironbark, 

 precludes its use as girders of any length, and when substituted for Ironbark in sleepers 

 the bolts and spikes work loose in them. 



One Ironbark has, of course, a very different appearance to a Grey Gum, and the 

 botanical affinities are not close. 



