BY R. H. CAMBAGE. 451 



a possible explanation of the distribution of this species along 

 the coast-line of this State, its antiquity being claimed as a neces- 

 sary condition. Dr. James Cox beyond doubt refers to this 

 species growing on the ascent from the Wollondilly towards 

 Wombeyan Caves where he writes*: — " Here also is to be seen a 

 peculiar species of Casuarina (Native Oak). The sexes of the 

 trees are separated — the female bears a fine cone-looking seed 

 vessel, but the male flower resembles the common acorn." 



Another most interesting western tree found nearthe Wollondilly 

 is Eucalyptus albens. This species follows, in a general northerly 

 and southerly direction, a strip of country on the western slopes 

 of the Main Dividing Range, where it is usually known as White 

 or Grey Box. Whether it is worthy of specific rank or should be 

 considered a variety of E. hemiphloia F.v.M., is to some extent a 

 matter of opinion, for undoubtedly certain herbarium specimens 

 of small-fruited albens and large-fruited hemiphloia present great 

 difficulties in separation, though in the forest, with the habit of 

 the tree to assist, the identification is usually a simple matter. 

 E. albens is practically restricted to a westerly influence, while 

 E. hemiphloia belongs to the coast, but where the former has 

 been found on the Wollondilly it retains its western character- 

 istics. 



South of the latitude of Sydney it is rarely found at an eleva- 

 tion of 2000 feet above sea-level, so that owing to climatic reasons 

 it cannot cross the Main Range on to the eastern watershed, as 

 in no part is the divide so low as 2000 feet. Tn the north, how- 

 ever, the conditions are altered by the increased warmth of 

 northern latitudes, and the species crosses the lower parts of the 

 Liverpool Range to the Upper Hunter, and on northern New 

 England may be found at altitudes up to 3000 feet. 



Tlie geological influence on plant growth is of importance in 

 the present instance, as the White Box seems confined, near the 

 Wollondilly, to the igneous rock formation previously referred 

 to, and it continues down the river, accompanied by E. melliodora T 

 until the porphyritic rocks disappear under the Permo-Carbon- 



Trans. Phil. Soc. New South Wales, 1862-1865, p.l9S. 



