76 



DESCRIPTION. 



CXXXII. E. quadrangulata Deane and Maiden. 



In Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W., xxiv, 451 (1899). 



A tree of 80-100 feet and diameter of 2-4 feet. 



BiU'k. — Very much resembles that of ordinary Box (E. hemiphLoia) in general appearance, but bark 

 more fuzzy and Jess soft than the latter : the timber also lighter in colour. The branches have smooth tips. 



Timber. — Pale, not brown when fresh like E. hemiphloia, inlocked, very tough, evidently an 

 excellent timber. The rougher bark falls off in patches, leaving box-like but less rough patches under- 

 neath. Again, these less-rough patches become darker and more rough, and this process is repeated ad 

 infinitum. 



Juvenile leaves. — Narrow-lanceolate, cordate and clasping at the base, strictly opposite, markedly 

 paler on the under surface. 



The rhachises are brown (commonly chocolate-brown) and usually square in section. Not only is 

 the young stem quadrangulate, but it is even winged, and this is so marked a character that the name 

 alata would probably have been chosen had this name not been preoccupied. 



Other instances of quadrangular young stems in Eucalyptus are : — 



E. tereticornis (apparently less common), E. globulus, and E. Maideni. 



Mature leaves. — Branchlets angular, lanceolate or narrow-lanceolate, slightly falcate, usually 4 to 

 6 inches long, scarcely paler on the under surface. 



The margin usually sinuate, jagged or remotely denticulate. Venation conspicuous on both sides, 

 the intramarginal vein conspicuously removed from the edge, the lateral veins spreading. The texture of 

 leaf thickish, hence the oil-dots, which are fairly numerous, are not prominent. 



Kllds. — Umbels axillary, consisting usually of four to eight in the head, not dull; sessile, the common 

 stalk being broadish and strongly compressed. The calyces subcorneal and exceeding the operculum, which 

 is conoid, the calyces sometimes angular. 



Stamens all fertile, indexed in bud, opening with longitudinal almost parallel slits, with a small 

 gland at the back. The filament is attached about the middle, and the anther is versatile. 



Fruits. — Small, shining, bell-shaped, rim medium, the valves slightly exserted, and usually three 

 in number. The seeds small, without membranous expansion. 



RANGE. 



It is confined to New South Wales, to the coastal districts and lower coastal 

 ranges, preferring, as so many trees do, the shelter and good soil of the gullies with 

 an easterly aspect. So far as our records go at present, it extends from Bundanoon 

 in the south to the Upper Hunter in the north, and westerly as far as Burragorang. 



" White Box," exceedingly tall trees, growing in the gorge around this 

 district to the depth of from 800-1,000 feet from the level of the surrounding country ; 



