20 



Very few barks, perhaps none, are perfectly smooth down to the ground. The 

 perfectly smooth-barked Gum is an ideal. Even in the case of many reputedly smooth 

 barks we have flaky indurated or sub-fibrous bark at the butt, to a varying height up 

 the stem. Most smooth barks are more or less patchy, a typical instance being the 

 Spotted Gum (E. maculata Hook. f.). In such barks a roughness in patches becomes 

 visible. At first it is a mere discoloration, but as development proceeds, the area 

 becomes darker and rougher and finally peels off, leaving a pure, new, clean surface, 

 in contrast to which the remainder of the bark appears discoloured. Meantime the 

 process of induration goes on, and the surface last to be new, first peels off or is next to 

 do so, and so the whole of the bark, in its order, goes through the cycle of new, smooth 

 surface, bark of varying degree of roughness, and finally exfoliation. In some cases 

 the patches are long and the older bark .contains more fibre, with sufficient tenacity 

 to form long ribbons (e.g., Ribbony Gums, E. viminalis Labill.). These are commonly 

 found in the cooler tablelands of the southern and eastern States, and, when rendered 

 supple by the rain and blown about by a strong wind, they stand out like the arms of 

 a semaphore. 



-The exfoliations referred to fall off in especially great numbers in dry weather. 

 These remarks also apply to the smooth-barked portions (stem and larger branches) 

 of those species which are more or less rough barked. It is frequently difficult to say 

 where a bark commonly described as "flaky" can be separated from a "ribbony" 

 one. In other words, it is impossible to separate " Ribbony Gums " as a distinct 

 section. 



The following sections of Gums will, it is hoped, have some value, but, being 

 largely based on the results of environment (moisture, shelter and soil, all variables), 

 they run into each other : — 



A.— -Shaft-like or Columnar, with smooth, usually white bark, more or less 

 (usually less) rough bark, often ribbony, at the butt. Trunks tending to be cylindrical 

 and tall. Timbers mostly pale and fissile, sometimes red. Rain-forest species. Found 

 on river banks with good soil, and in sheltered valleys generally. 



a. With pale timbers : — 



E. Benthami Maiden and Cambage. 



E.cordata Labill. 



E. Dunnii Maiden. 



E. globulus Labill. 



E. goniocalyx Rv.M. , 



E. linearis A. Cunn. 



E. Maideni Rv.M. 



E. Muelleri T. B. Moore. 



E. nitens Maiden. 



E. oreades R. T. Baker. 



E. regnans F.v.M. 



E. unialata Baker and Smith. 



