513 



On some trees, and in certain seasons, the blue colour of the bark predominates 

 for a considerable period, ultimately changing to lead colour, relieved here and there 

 with pale pink and blue blotches. In the colouring of the bark no other species in 

 the Sydney district, except E. punctata, shows a greater range of colour than E. Shircssii. 

 At certain seasons of the year it is a striking and pleasing feature of the sandstone 

 vegetation. 



RANGE. 



So far as we know at present, this species is confined to New South Wales and 

 to the Hawkesbury sandstone. As it has hitherto been confused with E. punctata, 

 it will doubtless prove that clumps of trees hitherto unquestioningly referred to that 

 species, and perhaps to E. propinqua will, on critical examination, prove to be more or 

 less composed of E. Shircssii. It should be especially searched for in the counties of 

 Cumberland and Cook. 



Somewhat extended observations by one of us (W.F.B.) and D. W. C. Shiress, 

 show that the new species extends from Hornsby (Galston Road) to the Hawkesbury 

 River, a distance of 15 miles by rail, and it is fairly plentiful in the area bounded by 

 the hills on the Galston side of Berowra Creek for a couple of miles above the head 

 of the salt water on the one side, and Cowan Creek on the other. (We have 

 specimens, Cowan Creek, Kuring-gai Chase, near house-boat, 10th July, 1915, and 

 August, 1916; Galston Road [type locality], March, 1919, October. 1920, February 

 1922.) Fairly common from Wondabyne to Woy Woy, in association with E. punctata. 

 (W. F. Blakely and D. W. C. Shiress.) 



The former observer and Dr. E. C. Chisholm have also (September, 1922) found 

 it not very far from the Blaxland Railway Station, on the lower slopes of the Blue 

 Mountains. The actual spot is a little below the old Pilgrim Inn, on the old main read, 

 say about 43 miles from Sydney. The nearest point from the Hornsby-Hawkesbury 

 River locality to the Blue Mountains one is about 32 miles as the crow flies. 



AFFINITIES. 



1. With E. punctata DC. 



This is the natural affinity to E. Shiressii, and in the present state of our 

 knowledge it is difficult to separate them in the absence of seedlings or juvenile foliage. 

 See Plates 121, 122, Part XXIX. The broad juvenile leaves of E. punctata are 

 sharply distinct and fundamental. Further dissimilarities will be drawn attention 

 to later. 



2. With E. Seeana Maiden. 



The seedlings of the two species seem to be almost identical. Those of E. Shiressii 



are, however, a little broader, and also much paler on the under surface. For E. Seeana 



see Part XXXII, Plate 1 32. Almost every other organ seems to be different. The 



timbers and the barks have much in common, 

 I) 



