175 



and differently veined ; the shape of the huds different as a very general rule. The 

 fruits of E. decipiens have the tips of the valves almost invariably exserted, while 

 the shape is different from E. oleosa. E. oleosa is a shrub or small tree, with 

 smooth bark for the most part, and reddish, strong, durable wood ; that of 

 E. decipiens has sub-fibrous bark, and pale-coloured, brittle, readily perishable wood. 

 E. oleosa is a somewhat erect plant, preferring dry situations, while E. decipiens 

 is a straggly " Swamp Gum." 



This is the last of the species brought into comparison with E. oleosa by 

 Mueller. 



5. "With E. concolor, Schauer. 



E. concolor has sessile or nearly sessile heads of flowers, with strap-shaped 

 peduncles. The fruits of both species may be spherical, but the protrusion of the 

 valves is less marked in E. concolor. 



The anthers of E. concolor have been described at page 153, Part XIV. 



6. With E.falcata, Turcz. 



Cursory examination of the plates of this Part shows the affinity of E. oleosa 

 with E. falcata, and it is evident that E. oleosa, var. longicomis most closely 

 connects with E. falcata, var. ecostata. The leaves, the shape of the buds, the 

 fruits, all emphasise the affinity ; and although I do not think a shrub of E. oleosa 

 or a sheet of E.falcata specimens would be confused by a botanist who has given 

 the slightest attention to the subject, the strong affinity is there, and confronts us 

 with the question which perpetually presents itself to the student of Eucalyptus : 

 How much variation do I require to constitute a species or a variety ? 



7. With E. deeurva, E.v.M. 



Reference (ante, p. 172) has already been made to the confusion which has 

 arisen between E. oleosa and E. deeurva. I will further discuss the relations of 

 these species when I figure E. deeurva in Part XVI. 



8. E. uneinata, Turcz., has for synonyms E. leptophijlla, Miq., in Ned. Kruidk. 



Arch, iv, 123 ; E. oleosa, E.v.M., Miq., I.e. 12 1 ; Fragm. ii, 56 (partly). 



Mueller mixed up E oleosa (as regards the narrow- leaved form) and 

 E. uneinata pardonably enough; indeed, he named a narrow-leaved form of uneinata 

 E. oleosa, var. leptophylla. It is well to clear up these puzzling old references, and 

 I have drawn attention to the matter in Part XIV, page 143. 



E. uneinata and E. oleos i afford instances (not common in Eucalyptus) of 

 juvenile leaves maintaining their character as far as the flowering or fruiting stage. 

 (See also E. uneinata, Part XIV, page 143 ) 



9. With E. inerassata, Labill., var. dumosa, F.v.M. 



The foliage of the species (E. oleosa) is that of E. dumosa, but it is well distinguished by the longer 

 pedicels, the shape of the calyx, the thinner operculum, and the shape of the fruit. (B.F1. iii, 219.) 



