86 



Fruit clavate to pyriform, occasionally somewhat mallet-shaped, truncate, smooth or more often 

 slightly rugose, pedicellate, sometimes the pedicels filiform as in E. numerosa, 5-7 mm. long, 5-6 mm. in 

 diameter; disc oblique or forming a flat broadish band over the very small enclosed valves, cells usually 

 three. 



Timber pale, with a slight pink tinge when fresh, changing to a very pale yellowish -brown when 

 dry, moderately light with a fairly long, somewhat open grain, interspersed with short gum veins. It is 

 fairly fissile and apparently not suitable for heavy work, and in this respect is inferior to Blackbutt, 

 E. pihilaris, but is a far superior timber to E. numerosa and E. radiator. 



Mr. G. C. Robertson, M.F., in " A Reconnaissance of the Forest Trees of Australia from the point 

 of view of their cultivation in South Africa," page 169, states that " on the high mountains above Tumut, 

 &c, it is a large tree up to at least 120 feet high and commonly 3 or 4 feet, sometimes 6 feet in diameter." 



" The wood of this large timber tree on these mountains is regarded locally as good for buildings, 

 including flooring and lining, and it is stated not to shrink or warp to any large extent. I even saw some 

 good moulding of it which had kept its shape very well. It is a moderately light, strong wood, and is 

 excellent and largely used for pick handles. It has gum veins, but not to a very serious extent. It has 

 also been used for furniture. It is also said to be quite durable, and house-blocks of it are believed to have 

 lasted forty years. A trial of it for railway sleejjei's has been arranged. I was told also in Victoria of this 

 tree being considered durable, fence posts of it having lasted thirty-five years." 



Illustrations. — It is figured in Part VI, Plate 29, under E. amygdalina, fig. 8a, 

 juvenile leaves ; 8b, fruits, from Mimendel Hill, Victoria (A. W. Howitt). Also Plate 

 30, under E. amygdalina Labill. var. numerosa, var. nov. (1), and allies, fig. 3a, leaf; 

 36, small fruits, from Lilydale, Victoria (A. W. Howitt); 4a, broad leaf; 4b, fruits, 

 Darlimurla, Victoria (H. Deane). The late Mr. Maiden has a note : " This form 

 undoubtedly shows affinity to var. numerosa." 



Named in honour of Mr. C. C. Robertson, M.F., Forest Department, Pretoria, 

 South Afriea, who assisted in segregating this species from its allies. 



SYNONYMS. 



E. amygdalina of many authors, but not of Labill ; E. numerosa Maiden (partim.) ; 

 E. Australiana Baker and Smith (partim.) ; E. pMlandra Baker and Smith (parting 



The late J. H. Maiden and Messrs. Baker and Smith referred certain specimens 

 of E. Eobertsoni to the aVove species, but they did not describe them. 



