DESCRIPTION. 



IX XX II. E. Stricklandi Maiden. 



In the original description, copied at Part XVI, p. 202, this little-known species is 

 presumed to be a shrub. The following statement by Mr. C. E. Lane-Poole, Conservator 

 of Forests of Western Australia, shows that it is really a medium-sized tree. 



It does not grow to a large size. In fact, the one photographed is the largest that I was able to 

 find (the photograph, which will be reproduced later, shows an erect tree perhaps 50 feet in height, and 

 with a stem diameter of, say, 2 feet J.H.M.). It has the largest fruit of any of the tree-Eucalypts as opposed 

 to the Mallees, the fruit being as large as, if not laigei than, the Tuart, E. gompliocephala, of the South- 

 West. The bark adheres for 2 or 3 feet from the ground. The rest of the stem is, however, perfectly 

 clean. The leaves are moie coriaceous than any of the other Eucalypts, the nearest being E. iorquata 

 (Mr. Lane-Poole is of course speaking of the local or Gold Fields Eucalypts, J.H.M.), though, owing to 

 the decorticating bark, there is no difficulty in distinguishing between the two, even in the distance. It 

 is used for fuel, and is known as Blackbutt; indeed, the cutters see no difference between it and 

 E. Le Souefii. 



The rough part of the bark, at the butt, is hard and flaky. The timber is of a 

 rich deep brown colour, with a touch of red in it ; it is very hard and interlocked, and 

 there is no doubt it is of a high class. It seems a pity that practically its only use at 

 present is for fuel. 



RANGE. 



It is confined to Western Australia, and the only previous locality known is 

 Hampton Plains, near Coolgardie. Mr. C. E. Lane-Poole sends it from 4 miles south 

 of Higginsville, on the Norseman road. It is fairly common along the Norseman road. 



I have received from Prof. T. G. B. Osborn, of Adelaide, a specimen labelled : — 



1. Eucalyptus obcordata Turcz. Elder Exploring Expedition, 40 miles south- 

 west of Fraser Range, Western Australia. (R. Helms, 5th November, 1891.) This 

 is evidently referred to by Mueller and Tate in Journ. Roy. Soc. S.A., xvi, 358. 



In the Journal of the Expedition, p. 128, I find under 4th (not 5th) November — 



. . . when we came to a big patch of splendid Blackbutt timber the natives turned off for this 

 rock-hole. The Blackbutt timber is of the Eucalyptus species; it is a useful timber, splitting easily. 

 The natives make their long spears out of this wood. 



On the following day the Journal speaks of a " Morrell Gum-tree." The latitude 

 for the two days was given at 31° 35' 45" and 26' 20", and the locality about 100 mile s 

 south-east of Coolgardie. 



E. Stricklandi could readily be taken for a Morrell. 



2. In Part XXXV, p. 122, and XVI, p. 204, of this work, I refer to a specimen 

 liballed similarly to No. 1 as belonging to E. Campaspe Moore. Both specimens were 

 collected cm the same date and at the same place. 



