DESCRIPTION. 



XXIV. Eucalyptus alpina, Lindl. 



Lixdley's original description says: — 



Ramulis brevibus rigidis angulatis, foliis alternis petiolatis ovato-oblongis viscosis basi obliquis, 

 umbellis axillaribus paucifloris petiolis brevioribus, operculo hemisphacrico verrucoso incequali tubo calycis 

 turbinato verrucoso breviore. (Mitchell's '• Three Expeditions," ii, 175.) 



Mitchell himself simply says: — 



Near the highest parts of the plateau I found a new species of Eucalyptus, with short, broad, viscid 

 leaves and rough- warted branches. 



It is described by Bentham, B.F1. iii, 225, and by Mueller in the " Eucalypto- 

 graphia," where it is also figured. 



Notes supplementary to the description. 



Leaves usually broader and thicker than those of E. capitellata, Sm., though the latter is some- 

 times very similar to E. alpina in this respect. 



Buds. — The buds are as rugose as possible. While in most specimens the rugosity is irregular, in 

 others it is more or less disposed in parallel ridges. Rugosity of the buds is also seen in E. capitellata 

 (seep. 217, Part VIII of. this work). Thus we have it in a marked manner in specimens from the 

 Grampians, Victoria, 2,000 feet (H. B. Williamson). Specimens from this locality, cultivated in South 

 Africa, lose much of their rugosity. Specimens showing less rugosity are Darlimurla, South Gippsland 

 (H. Deane) ; and also tops of the Blue Mountains, N.S.W., and other high elevations. 



Anthers. — Let us examine some anthers : — (1) Eucalyptus capitellata, Sm. (typical), from Kogarah, 

 Sydney : anther cells divergent, rather broader than long, opening in slits. (2) E. capitellata, Sm., from 

 Grampians, 2,000 feet, Victoria (H. B. Williamson, Jan., 1901): anther cells divergent, hardly broader 

 than long, opening in slits. (3) E. alpina, Lindl., from Grampians, Victoria (C. Walter, Dec, 1887): 

 anther cells parallel, decidedly longer than broad, opening in parallel slits. 



The structure of the anthers is the same in the three specimens, i.e., two cells opening in longi- 

 tudinal slits, and attached to the filament near the top. In No. 3 the cells are long and parallel ; in No. 

 2 they are shorler and more spreading ; and in No. 1 still more spreading. We have, indeed, a continuous 

 series. I have tried to accentuate the differences between the anthers of E. capitellata and E. alpina, but 

 feel that they run into each other. 



Fruit (of alpina) very variable, both as regards size, shape, and sculpture. Those figured in the 

 " Eucalyptographia " may be taken as one pattern. Then I hav,e specimens from Mount Abrupt (H. B- 

 Williamson), almost 1 inch in diameter ! valves 7, the calyx hardly rugose, the rim broadish and truncate 

 (horizontal). A second specimen from Mount Zero (DAlton) has the fruits | inch in diameter, valves 5, 

 the calyx very warted, the rim domeJ, and the valves as exserted as possible. A third specimen exhibits 

 minor differences. 



I have seen two of Lindley's type-specimens of E. alpina : — 



(a) " No. 243. Summit of Mt. William, Major Mitchell's Expedition, 1836," with 

 the addition in Lindley's handwriting " Eucalyptus alpina, m" [niihi]. In 

 bud only. Herb. Cant, ex herb. Lindley. 



(b) "No. 243 of Major Mitchell's Expedition, Eucalyptus alpina. Interior of New 



South Wales." [Victoria had not then been separated. — J.H.M.] In fruit 

 only. Herb. Cant, ex herb. Lemann. 



