126 



SYNONYMS. 



1. E. laetea R. T. Baker, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. xxv, 691 (1900). 



2. E. Gunnii Hook, f., var. maculosa Maiden ib. xxvi, 581 (1901). 



3. E. viminalis Labill., var. (c) A. W. Howitt. 



1. E. laetea R.T.B., Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. xxv, 691 (1900). 



A fair-sized tree with a dirty, flaky bark, which occasionally is smooth. 



Sucker leaves ovate ; leaves of mature trees lanceolate, up to 6 inches long and varying in breadth 

 up to 9 lines, straight or falcate, not shining, of the same shade of green on both sides ; petiole under 1 inch. 

 Venation fairly well marked, veins oblique, spreading, the distinct intraniarginal vein removed from 'the 

 edge. Oil dots numerous. 



Peduncles axillary, with few flowers (5 to 7) in the head, occasionally only 3. Calyx hemispherical. 

 Operculum hemispherical, shortly acuminate. Ovary flat-topped. Stamens all fertile ; anthers parallel, 

 opening by longitudinal slits. 



Fruits hemispherical to oblong ; rim with valves domed and almost touching, thus leaving only a 

 slight aperture to the ovary; or the rim thin and the valves exserted and widely distended. 



Under E. maculosa two other trees are known by the same vernacular, viz. :— 



(1) "Spotted Gum" at Charley's Forest and Fagan's Creek, Braidwood 

 (W. Bsiuerlen). 



(2) " Spotted Gum " at Ilford (R. T. Baker). " The chemical and botanical 

 evidence points, as far as yet examined, to these being distinct from the " Spotted 

 Gum " of Bungendore, but in the meantime they are placed here tentatively as var. A 

 and var. B of this species. 



Var. A is, at certain seasons, the host of a Psyllid, producing a beautifully-figured, 

 yellow-coloured lerp. 



Var. B, when wounded, exudes a whitish substance, called by the settlers 

 " buttermilk." (G. Harris) (R. T. Baker, op. cit., p. 600). 



Comparing these statements with the description of E. laetea R. T. Baker, it is 

 evident that No. 2 is E. laetea, and also var. B. Var. A is typical maculosa, and it seems 

 therefore to invite confusion to call it a variety. Mr. Baker did not begin this incon- 

 venient practice. 



In the description of E. laetea it is stated that the specific name is owing to the 

 milky juice which exudes at certain periods of the year. 



As regards the Charley's Forest, Braidwood, locality, this is quoted for typical 

 maculosa (xxiv, 599) for No. 1 Spotted Gum (xxiv, 600), and for E. laetea (xxv, 692). 

 This shows the imdesirability of quoting more than one locality for a type. 



I have not seen milky juice in any Eucalypt (except that which is similar to 

 coco-nut milk is meant), and perhaps Mr. Harris simply meant a sweetish sap, such as 

 is common in E. Gunnii, a species undoubtedly allied to the present one. We want 

 further information concerning this " ruilky juice." 



