DESCRIPTION. 



CCLXXVIII. E. drepanophylla F.v.M. 



Ex Bentham in B.F1. iii, 221 (1866). 

 Following is the original description : — 



A tree, usually low and stunted, the bark dark-grey and ribbed (Dallachy). 



Leaves long-lanceolate, often exceeding 6 inches and usually falcate, acuminate, with numerous 

 fine, parallel, and very diverging veins, often scarcely conspicuous, the intra-marginal one close to or very 

 near the edge. 



Umbels three to six-flowered, usually three to four together in short axillary or terminal panicles 

 or the lower ones solitary, the peduncles short and terete, or nearly so. Calyx-tube obconical. nearly 2 

 lines long, tapering into a short, thick pedicel. 



Operculum conical or obtuse, usually about as long as the calyx-tube. 



Stamens about 2 lines long, inflected in the bud ; anthers very small, nearly globular, with distinct 

 parallel cells. 



Fruit subglobose-truncate, about 4 lines diameter, slightly contracted at the oritice, the rim rather 

 thin, the capsule somewhat sunk, but convex, so that the valves often slightly protrude. 



E. drepanophylla is referred to as a synonym of E. leptophleba F.v.M. in Part X 

 of the present work, p. 332, following Mueller. At p. 333 I invited the attention of 

 Queensland botanists to this little known species. Owing to the zeal of Dr. T. L. 

 Bancroft, then of Stannary Hills, north Queensland, and now of Eidsvold, I was able 

 to clear up the identity of E. leptophleba as apart from E. drepanophylla. See Journ. 

 Roy. Sod. N.S.W., xlvii, 82, 83, and also the present work. I am also under obligations 

 to Mr. C. T. White, Government Botanist, of Queensland, in this enquiry. 



Further references to E. drepanophylla will be found under " Range," Part X, 

 p. 333, and " Affinities," p. 334. 



I am not quite certain that the differences between E. drepanophylla and E. crebra 

 are sufficient to justify the retention of the former as a species, but on the whole think 

 that it is probable. I trust that Queenslanders will give attention to the species. 



It will be observed that certain old Ironbark specimens referred to E. drepanophylla 

 by Mueller himself (and Bentham) are destitute of fruit, and Dallachy expressly 

 mentions that his Edgecombe Range specimens had no fruit. At the same time, 

 Bentham described the fruit as *' sub-globose truncate, about 4 lines diameter, 

 slightly contracted at the orifice, the rim rather thin, the capsule somewhat sunk, but 

 convex, so that the valves often slightly protrude." 



It will be observed that at figs. 3d, 46, 4c, Plate 200, I have taken cognizance 

 of fruiting specimens which probably come near the type. 



