256 



4. With E. terminalis F.v.M. 



It differs from E. terminilis, the Bloodwood of the interior, in its bark, timber and oil. (Ft. T. 

 Baker.)* 



5. With E. traehyphloia F.v.M, 



It differs " from E. traehyphloia in its larger fruits, bark and chemical constituents." (B. T. Baker.) 

 In morphological characters the two species are as far apart as are E. intermedia 

 and E. eximia, but in different ways. 



Is it a distinct species ? 



The first specimens of the Pale Bloodwood whose existence in collections is 

 known, were sent from Bateman's Bay (Clyde River), and this is what Mueller said 

 about them : — 



Mr. Baeuerlen has sent from near the Clyde also specimens of an Eucalypt, which he considers a 

 hybrid between E. corymbosa and E. maculata, in which case the characteristics of the former are prevailing; 

 the leaves, however, are generally narrower, the operculum is double, like that of E. maculata, and it 

 separates by a clear transverse line ; the wood also was found much lighter in colour than that-of the genuine 

 E. corymbosa, and the bark smooth on the upper portion of the stem as in E. maculata. The flowering time 

 proved later than that of the former ; as many as 16 flowers occur in an umbel ; the fruits are generally 

 not so long as those of E. corymbosa. {Vict. Naturalist, Oct., 1890.) 



Mr. Baeuerlen had himself suggested the hybrid nature of the plant, but 



Luehmann, Mueller's assistant, and a competent investigator of the genus, wrote 



on the Melbourne Herbarium specimens :— 



I do not see any character to distinguish the specimen from E. corymbosa except that sometimes 

 the flowers arc more numerous in an umbel than hitherto observed (up to sixteen) and that a double 

 operculum is noticeable. The difference in the bark and wood is probably quite accidental, as it is in so 

 many other instances. 



In 1890 I got an answer from Mueller to that effect, and accepted it, as I could 

 not see any sufficient or consistent botanical differences between the Red (E. corymbosa) 

 and Pale Bloodwood specimens collected, either then or subsequently. 



Some bushmen < all it " Bastard Bloodwood," which may or may not r oa I hat 

 they consider it a hybrid. 



It seems always to occur with or near E. corymbosa, and the suggestion that it is 

 a hybrid between E. corymbosa and E. maculata (which in many districts occurs at no 

 very great distance from the former) is not unreasonable, but I will go into the matter 

 again when I deal with the general question of hybrids. 



As we cannot, in the present state of our knowledge, separate the two Bloodwoods 

 (E. corymbosa and the present one) on botanical grounds, we must fall back on the 

 appearance of the bark and timber. But a small percentage of specimens can, in the 

 nature of things, be backed with such material, and in the absence of such, or of 

 evidence in regard to bark or timber, they must be labelled E. corymbosa. 



I think, however, we should recognise E. intermedia, although we have no strict 

 precedent, hoping that, when we get complete material (e.g., juvenile leaves, often 

 difficult to get in the Corymbosse) our eyes may be opened to see distinctive 

 morphological characters which are at present not obvious to my eyes, at least. 



•The term "Bloodwood of the interior'' had better be reserved (at all events in New South Wales) to 

 E. pyrophora, a very different species. E. terminalis will be figured hi fart XL, and the similarities and dissimilaritiea 

 n be better understood then} 



