166 



whereas those of E. dives are usually dull, hut those of the latter are sometimes 

 quite as shiny as those of the former. Indeed, the Peppermint-trees of the 

 Benantherce present many points of contract. 



At Berrima (on the hanks of the Wingecaribee, opposite the Rectory) is a 

 Ribbony Gum with rough black bark up to the first fork. The rough bark is just 

 like that of E. vitninalis. 



The habit of the tree is more erect as to foliage than that of normal coriacea 

 close by. The timber is white, and is full of gum-veins like coriacea. The fruits 

 are more hemispherical than the rest of the trees iu the neighbourhood. In all my 

 travels I have not previously seen an E. coriacea a real ribbony gum as this is. 

 E. coriacea is a species that does not present much evidence of variation as a rule, 

 but I am inclined to think that this particular tree presents evidence of hybridisation. 

 The other parent is probably E. amygdalina. It is remarkably like E. vitrea. 



A specimen obtained from Wingello (A. Murphy, April, 1899), a locality 

 where abundance of typical vitrea may be found, has smaller fruits, broader leaves 

 than the type, more spreading veins, and the oil-dots are less prominent. The leaves 

 also are less hooked at the tips, a marked coriacea character abundantly evident in 

 the Berrima specimen. The "Wingello specimen has, in my opinion, more of the 

 amygdalina character than has the Berrima specimen. The Wingello specimen has 

 an undoubtedly strong resemblance to E. dives, — e.g., Wallerawang, Tarana, and 

 other places. 



A specimen from Delegate River, N.S.W. (W. Baeuerlen) is very interesting. 

 It was collected 13th April, 1889, and the collector's note was " E. pauciflora and 

 E. stellulata hybrid." I afterwards placed the specimen under E. dives; but I 

 think its proper place is with vitrea, although it is not typical. It shows 

 the parentage of both amygdalina and coriacea. The fruits are smaller than those 

 of typical vitrea. Some of the leaves are broad (5^ x 2^ inches) and strongly 

 reminiscent of E. coriacea. 



"Hills near Mansfield, Victoria (Strathbogie)" (H. B. Williamson, No. 938). 

 " Prom a tree of 30 or 40 feet, stem 1 foot in diameter ; bole of the tree covered with 

 persistent bark ; upper stem and branches smooth ; bark like large saplings of 

 E. dives." 



In sending the specimens (in 1900), Mr. "Williamson makes the following 

 observations, which are very interesting in connection with my view of the origin 

 of E. vitrea : — 



It is very scarce, and is always interspersed with No. 939 (E. coriacea, A. Cunn. — J.H.M.), and 

 E. amygdalina. The flowers are very scanty, contemporary with those of No. 939, now a mass of bloom. 

 E. amygdalina now only shows occasional blooms. 



The specimens are nearest to E. vitellina or E. vitrea, though with rather 

 thinner leaves than the type. It must be borne in mind that variation also takes 

 place in individuals extended over a large area. 



