71 



(E. licemastoma), not hitherto recorded in Tasmania," by T. Stephens (Troc. R. S. 



Tas., 18S1, p. 21), he refers to it as " Gum-topped stringybark," and speaks of it as 



follows : — 



The chief peculiarity of this tree is that while the lower part of the butt is clothed with a thick 

 fibrous bark closely resembling that of the common stringybark (E. obliqua), the upper part, and the 

 smaller limbs and branches are quite smooth, whence its popular name. The timber is highly prized by 

 splitters, and, for general purposes, it is described by many competent authorities as second only to the 

 blue gum, though opinions seem to differ as to its durability. It is found in most parts of the Colony, 

 and appears to grow as freely on the table-lands of the interior, reaching an altitude of not less than 

 3,000 feet above the sea, as along the coast-line. 



It seems to be the same as the following timbers referred to in a Tasmanian 

 official catalogue : — " Gum-topped stringybark, Euc. licemastoma (?)." 



No. 30 R, T.G.R. Two planks, G feet by 9| inches by 6 inches, Scottsdale Line. 



Eucalyptus hmnastoma (Gum-topped stringybark), is more a builders' tree for inside work or cart 

 bodies. So far no determination has been made as to its strength and weight, though it is used extensively 

 where it grows. It is not known, however, as a distinct timber in the market. See also "Tasmanian Official 

 Record for 1891 " (R. M. Johnston), p. 135. 



Mr. A. 0. Green, in his useful paper on "Tasmanian timbers," also refers to 

 the Gum-topped stringybark as Eucalyptus licemastoma, which should now be 

 dropped. 



Following is a copy of a label in Herb., Melb.— " Euc. licemastoma, Sm. : 

 Gum-topped stringybark of Lake Sorell, Tasmania (T. Stephens). Lower part of 

 stem exactly like common stringybark, but if anything rather less furrowed, the 

 bark being quite loosely fibrous, and easily rubbed into what bushmen call ' bull's 

 wool.' ' (a) Parattah, Midland Railway, Tasmania, 1,200 feet above sea-level ; also 

 (b) Russell Palls River, 50 miles N.W. of Hobart, 500 feet above sea-level 

 (T. Stephens). These specimens were sent in response to my request for " Gum- 

 top stringybark." 



'•' E. hcemastoma. A messmate (fibrous bark), Mount Mueller, near Mount 

 Baw Baw, Victoria (Jas. Melvin)," so named by Mueller. 



H. E. virgata, Sieb. var. altior, Deane and Maiden, and 



K. E. oreades, R. T. Baker, from the Blue Mountains, N.S.TT., are farther 

 removed from E. Risdoni, Hook, f., var. elata Bentham, but are still referable, I 

 think, to the Gum-top stringybarks. Their affinity is towards obliqua. 



In my paper read before Aust. Assoc. Ado. Science (Hobart, 1902), I 

 suggested that one form of the Gum-top stringybark was referable to E. virgata, 

 and addressed an appeal to Tasmanian botanists to make further inquiries in regard 

 to these trees, but I am of opinion that some of the Tasmanian stringybarks may be 

 justifiably considered as extreme forms of virgata, should any botanist see fit 

 to do so. 



