330 



DESCRIPTION. 



XXXVII. Eucalyptus Boormani, Deane and Maiden. 



Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W., xxvi, 339 (1901). 



BiU'k. — Dark iu colour, often very dark grey and even black. In texture scaly, sometimes bard 

 scaly, and even in parts nearly as rugged as an Ironbark, but never as soft as a Box. The rough bark 

 extends to the small branches. 



Timber. — Pale reddish-brown in colour, hard and durable, and, according to the testimony of 

 many observers, while of an Ironbark character, even superior to the Ironbarks of the district in which it 

 grows. 



Sucker leaves.— Broad and coarse, nearly orbicular, but early becoming lanceolate. 



Mature leaves. — Ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, usually -'i to 6 inches long, and over 1 inch in 

 breadth ; veins line and rather spreading, the iutramarginal vein usually quite close to the edge. Texture 

 of the leaf coriaceous and tough, like that of E. siderophloia. 



Itnds. The buds and stamens appear to us not to differ from those of E. siderophloia. 



Operculum. Conical, like that of E. /siderophloia, but we have not observed the operculum much 

 fco exceed the calyx, which is very commonly the case in E. siderophloia, especially in var. rostrata. 



Fruits. — Nearly semiovate, often slightly angular, usually presenting a good deal of resemblance 

 bo those of E. siderophloia, but the valves (which usually number four, and sometimes five) scarcely exserted. 

 About three to four lines in diameter, and not contracting at the orifice. Sometimes so subcylindrical in 

 shape as to exhibit considerable resemblance to those of typical E. hemiphloia, F.v.M. (op. cit.). 



Notes supplementary to the description. 



Named in honour of John Luke Boorman, Collector, Botanic Gardens, 

 Sydney, who, in regard to this and other species, has prosecuted inquiries in an 

 intelligent and painstaking manner. 



The name " Black Box " seems to he most generally in use for this species ; 

 the even better name of "Ironbark Box" (which certainly indicates its affinities) 

 is nearly as frequently in use. At Lue it is also called " She Ironbark," its 

 difference from the ordinary Ironbarks being thus recognised. 



This seems to me to be a natural hybrid between E. siderophloia, Benth., and 

 E. hemiphloia, F.v.M. The evidence available is published by Mr. Henry Deane 

 and myself in Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.TT r .,xxv, p. iii (1900), and xxvi, p. 339 (1901). 

 Later on, xxs, p. 494 (1905), I drew attention to the remarkable discovery by George 

 Caley (botanical collector in New South Wales, 1800-1810), of hybridisation 

 between E. siderophloia and E. hemiphloia. 



As it is my intention to publish, later on, an account of hybridisation in 

 Eucalyptus, with necessary Hlustrations, I will not present the evidence at this place. 



