194 



DESCRIPTION 



E. Andrew si, Maiden. 



This species was described in a paper* from which most of the particulars 

 now given have been drawn. 



A tall tree, on an average, say 80 feet in height, with a stem diameter of 2-3 feet. " On the 

 Bulldog Hill, 3,000 feet (between the Timbarra and Clarence Rivers), it attains a diameter of at least 

 8 feet, and the height of large trees is most likely from ISO to 180 feet. Here it consorts with true 

 Blackbutts (E. pilnlaris) and Forest Oaks (Casnarina torulosa) which even at times rise 100 feet, and 

 50 or 60 feet without a branch." — (E. C. Andrews.) 



Writing from Drake to Mr. Cambage, Mr. Andrews says : — " One tree we measured 20 feet in 

 circumference, about 80 feet to 100 feet to first limb, and from 150 feet to 180 feet high (guess). Another. 

 23 feet in circumference, 170 feet high. (!) Another we measured 25 ft. 6 in. round butt (4 feet above 

 ground). Blackbutt-top but about 150 feet high then. I suppose there were from 50 to 100 from 

 18 feet to 20 feet and 21 feet in circumference.'' 



Juvenile leaves. Rather large and soon becoming alternate, glaucous. The youngest foliage 

 available to me is elliptical, and about 4 inches long by half the width, with petioles of i-inch. "Seedlings 

 have erect habit, with fairly large leaves ; pale in colour." — (R. H. Cambage.) 



Mature leaves. Broadly lanceolate, sometimes falcate, but apparently usually symmetrical. Dull 

 on both sides and even glaucous,! but ultimately glabrous and even shining ; equally green on both sides, 

 venation spreading from the base. Usually under 6 inches long and about 1 inch wide. Of a distinct 

 peppermint odour. 



Hulls. — Clavate, the operculum sometimes slightly umbonate. A free flowerer, the anthers reniform. 



Fruits. Nearly hemispherical, about ]-inch in diameter : with a flat thick rim, tips of the valves 

 flush with the mouth ; peduncle thin ; angular, \— \ inch long, pedicels about j-inch in length. Fruits 

 abundantly produced, usually six to nine in the head. The fruits remind one of those of E. hcemastoma 

 var. micrantha. 



Bill'k.— -Has " Peppermint " bark on the trunk and large branches ; only the ultimate branches 

 smooth. Twigs red (claret-coloured), often glaucous, usually round, apparently rarely angular. 



Timber. — Pale-coloured, comparatively light in weight, and very fissile, containing a few kino 

 veins. So similar in appearance to that of E. piperita, Sm., that I am at present unable to indicate 

 any difference. "Split for palings" (R. H. Cambage). "Timber like E. acmenoides, but not wavy like 

 it; more like E. piperita timber" (A. Murphy). "Timber seemingly preferred to all others for fencing, 

 building, etc." (J. L. Boorman). [In this connection it may be pointed out that the value of a timber is 

 comparative ; the best timber of a district may be inferior to that of another district.] 



Known locally as '• Blackbutt," less frequently as "Peppermint," and "Messmate." It is the 

 " Blackbutt" of Mr. W. Christie's paper, J and his " Specimen No. 11 " (p. 35) has been preserved. Known 

 all over New England as " Blackbutt." At Oban it is called " Bastard Stringybark," and at Emmaville 

 "Messmate" (E. C. Andrews). 



* " On four new species of Eucalyptus ; " by J. H. Maiden. — Proc. Linn. Soc. X.S. II'., pp. 472-5 (1904). 



t Glaucousness often varies a good deal with the season of the year ; e.g. , specimens received by me in October last 

 were entirely dull or glaucous, others received in June of the present year are slightly shining. 



X "The forest vegetation of Central and Northern New England in connection with geological influences." — Journ. 

 and Proc. Roy. Soc, N.S. W., xi, 21, 1877. 



