AFFINITIES. 



Its closest affinity appears to be with E. melanophloia and E. microtheca, but it 

 seems to be more closely associated with the former in the forest, the two species often 

 growing together, while E. microtheca may be a quarter of a mile away. E. populifolia 

 and E. bicolor may be also growing near. Its bark on the trunk and branches may be 

 described as being between that of a box tree and an ironbark, while the fruits somewhat 

 resemble those of E. microtheca, although the valves of the latter are more exserted. In 

 shape, the fruits are not unlike those of E. melanophloia, especially those from about 

 20 miles north of Mungindi (No. 4,462). 



The small-fruited form of E. Bucknelli (No. 4.389) from the south of Mungindi 

 somewhat resembles E. populifolia and E. bicolor so far as the fruits are concerned, but 

 the leaves and venation are different. 



From E. Yagobiei Maiden it differs mainly in the shape of the fruits and to some 

 extent in the bark. The fruits of E. Yagobiei have strongly exserted valves. 



If it could be shown that this tree originated as a hybrid, then its parents would 

 appear to be E. melanophloia and E. microtheca, but the trees are so numerous that it 

 seems evident the species now reproduces itself, whatever may have been its origin. It 

 is remarkable that where natural Eucalyptus hybrids are suspected, one of the supposed 

 parents often belongs to the group of trees popularly known as Ironbark, while the other 

 belongs to the Box group. 



Seedlings (No. 4,402 from Bumble). Plate 22, fig. 1. (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W.) 



Hypocotyl terete, red, glabrous, 6 mm. to 1-5 cm. long. 



Cotyledons obtusely oblong to slightly reniform, entire, 2 to 2-5 mm. long, 3 to 5*5 

 mm. broad, upperside green, underside pale green ; petiole 2 to 3 mm., reddish near base. 



Stem terete, red. First and second internodes, 3 to 5 mm. ; third, 4 to 6 mm. 



Seedling foliage opposite for at least four or five pairs,* entire, glabrous, linear- 

 lanceolate, upperside green, underside pale green, petiole 1 to 1-5 mm. First pair 5 to 

 8 mm. long, 1-5 to 2-5 mm. broad ; second pair, 9 mm. to 1-3 cm. long, 1-5 to 3 mm. broad ; 

 third pair, 1 to 1-4 cm. long, 2 to 3 mm. broad. 



* Since found to be sometimes as many as twenty pairs. — E.H.C. 



