EUCALYPTUS BEHRIANA. 



p. v. M., in the transactions of the Victorian Institute 1854, p. 34 ; Miquel, in Nederlandisk Kruidkundig Archief 



iv. 139 (1859) ; Bentham, flora Australiensis iii. 214. 



Shrubby, becoming arboreous ; leaves broadisk- or oval-lanceolar, almost equilateral, of thick 

 consistence, of equal color and shining on both sides, not or only slightly curved ; their lateral 

 veins somewhat prominent, rather distant, not very spreading, the circumferential vein con- 

 spicuously removed from the edge of the leaf ; oil-dots much concealed or obliterated ; umbels in 

 mostly terminal not very spreading panicles, with seven or fewer small flowers in each; stalklets 

 very short ; the tube of the calyx truncate- or semi-ovate, about twice as long as the almost 

 hemispheric lid, not angular ; stamens all fertile, inflexed before expansion ; anthers very minute, 

 nearly globular, opening laterally by pore-like apertures ; stigma not broader than the short style ; 

 fruits small, truncate- or topshaped-ovate, 3- or oftener 4-celled ; their rim narrow ; valves 

 enclosed, very short ; seeds without any appendage, the fertile considerably larger than the sterile 

 seeds. 



Near the sources of the Werribee-Kiver, on stony hills, extending thence to the Avoca 

 (F. V. M.) ; in the scrubs of Sandarac-Cypresses near the Gawler-River (Dr. Behr) ; in the hilly 

 forest-region of Wirrabara near Crystal-Brook and Mount Eemarkable on deep marly clay-soil 

 (J. E. Brown) and probably in many interjacent places. 



A tall shrub or small and perhaps never a tall tree. Outer bark in large brownish or dark 

 flakes deciduous, leaving the surface of the stem and main-branches smooth and greenish. 

 Foliage rather massive ; leaves scattered, occasionally tinged with whitish bloom. Calyces 

 shining ; their tube gradually tapering into the stalklet. Valves not rarely inserted very near 

 the summit of the orifice of the fruit, but sometimes more deeply seated. 



Mr. J. B. Brown, the Forest-Inspector of South-Australia, found E. Behriana always on soil, 

 richer than that occupied by E. odorata and E. hemiphloia. He notes the height 16 to 20 feet, 

 but the foliage spreading out diametrically to 20 to 26 feet. 



The Yanetj purpurascens, recorded in the flora Australiensis from the western side of Spencer's 

 Gulf, may be referable to E. hemiphloia and requires further examination in the native spots of 

 Its growth. 



In its relationship E. Behriana approaches closely to E. hemiphloia, from which it mainly 

 difi^ers in never attaining the stately dimensions of that species, in the bark remaining smooth 

 from secession of the outer layers ; besides the leaves are as a rule (siibject however to exceptions) 

 shorter and broader, the panicles are less ample, by which means the umbels are not rarely 

 arranged in a racemous manner ; the flowers and fruits are smaller, their stalklets are more 

 abbreviated, the lid is shorter and blunter and the fruit-valves are less deeply enclosed. 

 E. Behriana claims also near afSnity with E. largiflorens, but the bark of the latter persists, the 

 leaves are conspicuously narrower, of thinner consistence, of duller hue, finer veined and better 

 provided with oil-dots, its panicles are more spreading, the lids are (at least often) double and the 

 stamens not constantly all fertile ; thus the resemblance of E. Behriana in foliage is closer to 

 E. hemiphloia, but in flowers and fruits nearer to E. largiflorens, while in bark it diff'ers from both. 

 No other species coukl easily be mistaken for E. Behriana, as E. odorata, whicli comes also near 

 to it in affinity, is discriminable by the mainly axillary iuflorescence and persistent bark. The 

 technical quality of the wood of E. Behriana remained hitherto untested. 



