313 



The species can be most conveniently distinguished by its pyriform fruits and 

 "peppermint" bark; the narrow sucker-leaves are also characteristic. Mr. 

 R. H. Cambage, who has prominently brought this tree under my notice, gives the 

 local names as "Peppermint" or "White Mahogany"; Mr. Boorman as 

 "Messmate." 



In Gippsland it seems more of a Stringybark; with rough bark here, as 

 elsewhere, right up to the very tips of the branches. It has a yellowish cast on the 

 bark, which is perhaps rougher than that of the type, but certainly smoother than 

 that of the stringybarks. " Yertchuk " trees have patches of bark thinner than 

 that of the remainder of the bark, and " rubbed looking " and Peppermint-like. 



RANGE. 



In coastal and coast-range districts of New South Wales, and Gippsland, Victoria, 



extending in the former State, as far as is known at present, from the Clyde River 



in the south, across the country to near Goulburn, thence via Burragorang to the 



Blue Mountains (Wolgan), and the Penang Mountain near Gosford. Doubtless the 



species will be found in localities intermediate between the Clyde River and 



Gippsland. 



New South Wales. 



Southern Districts. — Nelligen, Clyde River (J. L. Boorman). This is the 

 most southerly locality known to me in New South Wales. 



" Looks like a Peppermint {piperita) ; has rough grey bark." On sandy 

 ground, Burrill, Milton (R. H. Cambage). 



Grows on sandy, rather barren soil. Grey bark right out on branches, something like that of 

 E. piperita. Nearest affinity may be E. Sieberiana, but it is distinct from that species in the bark. 

 Leaves hang straight down. Timber fairly hard. Pigeon House, Milton, to within 100 feet of the top 

 (R. H. Cambage). 



Rather stunted trees, bark rough, soft, from the base up to tips of branches, grey in colour. 

 Leaves not so large as E. Sieberiana, but the bark differing both in texture and colour. The wood is soft 

 and ringy, not nearly so good as " Mountain Ash " (Sieberiana) which it in many respects resembles, 

 partly in the fruit, but more like piperita in bark. Wingello (J. L. Boorman). 



Following is a report made on a subsequent visit to Wingello : — 



" Messmate." Medium sized trees, rough bark to the tips of the branches, not ribbony. 

 In appearance reminds one of E. Sieberiana, but smoother and softer in the bark, having an affinity to a 

 Stringybark. Distributed abundantly over an area of half a mile in the vicinity of Kingston's saw-mills, 

 Wingello (J. L. Boorman). 



" Pairly smooth, fibrous bark, something like piperita and distinct from the 

 rough bark of Sieberiana " (top of Mountain, east of Burragorang, 3 or 4 miles). 

 Hawkesbury Sandstone (R. H. Cambage). 



Top of Barrengarry Mountain. Medium sized trees. Poor sandstone, rocky 

 soil (R. H. Cambage and J.H.M.). 



