52 



DESCRIPTION. 



CDX. E. Nicholi Maiden and Blakely, n.sp. 



Arbor salici similis; ramis pendulis cortice sub-fibroso ; foliis junioribus linearibus, crenulatis, 2-5 cm. 

 longis, 3-6 mm. latis, foliis maturis lanceolatis vel falcato-lanceolatis, 6-12 cm. x 10-15 mm. ; alabastris, 

 ovoideis, acutis, pedicellatis ; antheris versatilibus longitudinaliter dehiscentibus ; fructu hemispherico 

 vel globoso, 4x5 mm. 



A singularly graceful tree, reminding one of a Weeping Willow. Height 30-50 feet, and trunk, 

 diameter 2 feet, as far as seen. The twigs are slender, a characteristic of the tree being the smallness and 

 the grace of its parts. Bark sub-fibrous, Peppermint-like. 



J Uvenile leaves opposite for 2-4 pairs, sessile or nearly so, linear to linear-lanceolate, light green, 

 somewhat crenulate, 2-5 cm. long, 2-5 mm. broad, venation very fine, sometimes obscure. 



Intermediate leaves alternate, petiolate, broad-lanceolate, up to 5-5 cm. long, 1-5 cm. broad, 



venation very fine ; lateral veins diverging at an angle of 20-35° to the midrib, intramarginal vein somewhat 

 distant from the margin. 



Mature leaves alternate, petiolate, narrow-lanceolate to falcate-lanceolate, thin, 6-12 cm. long 

 10-15 mm. broad, venation fine and somewhat irregular ; lateral veins radiating at an angle of 35-40° to 

 the midrib ; intramarginal vein distinct from the nerve-like margin. A good deal of the young foliage 

 reminds one superficially of that of the Wilga (Geijera parviflora). 



Buds pedicellate, 5-8 or more in the head, elliptical to slightly urceolate, 5x3 mm. ; operculum 

 conical, slightly shorter than the campanulate calyx-tube. Anthers versatile, opening in parallel slits. 



Fruit hemispherical to sub-globose, sometimes with a sharp rim, 4x5 mm. Valves well exserted; 

 Pedicels about as long as the fruit ; the common peduncle 7-10 mm. long. 



Timber pale reddish, rather soft, not very durable. 



Vernacular Names.— A " Peppermint " or " Narrow-leaved Peppermint " " Grey- 

 Peppermint " (H. Deane). 



Illustrations .—It is depicted in Part XXII, Plate 93, figs. Qa-9a. See also Coloured 

 Plate 7, figs. 62-64. 



Named in honour of Richard Nichol, my private secretary and Chief Clerk, Botanic 

 Gardens, who for nearly forty years has been a member of the Botanic Gardens staff 

 and for the greater portion of that period has assisted me in many ways with my botanical 

 work. 



• SYNONYM. 



E. acaci&formis , Deane and Maiden var. linearis, Deane and Maiden. 



