171 



itodway, in his Tasmanian Flora, p. 56, puts E. linearis, Dehnh., as a 

 separate species and states : — 



A small to medium-sized tree, bark smooth and white, or sometimes scaly on the lower portion of 

 the stem. Leaves similar to those of E. amygdalina, only still narrower and the fruits smaller, slightly 

 constricted, and the capsules usually slightly sunk. Very common, and although presenting a different 

 appearance, hardly morphologically distinct from E. amygdalina. 



To summarise, E. linearis, Dehnh., is a smooth-barked tree, and, in my 

 opinion, in spite of the fact that there are connecting links between it and 

 E. amygdalina, it will be convenient to retain it as a species, at all events for the 

 present. We must look to Tasmanian botanists for a full investigation of it with 

 reference to other forms. Mr. Rodway tells me it is not uncommon in Tasmania. 



I must admit that I cannot always determine the species on herbarium 

 material alone, and specimens collected by me from a White Gum, on Mount 

 Wellington, have by no means narrow leaves. The bark is stripy ; the leaves are 

 strict, and inclined to be succulent. My own note, made in the field, is that they 

 seem to have an odour of oil of geranium when crushed.* For a number of years 

 a White Gum, referred to E. linearis grew (under cultivation) in the Government 

 Domain, Melbourne, but it has recently died. 



RANGE. 



E. linearis is confined to Tasmania. 



AFFINITY. 



The closest affinity of E. linearis is, as has been abundantly indicated, to E. 

 amygdalina. 



* If this be confirmed, the evidence in favour of separating E. linearis from E. amygdalina would be, in the 

 aggregate, sufficient. 



