2C4 



DESCRIPTION. 



XXXVIII. E. leptophleba F.v.M. 



In Journ. Linn. Soc, iii, 86 (1859). 



A translation of the original description will be found at Part X, p. 332. 

 It is briefly described in B. Fl., iii, 221, in the following words : — 



A moderate sized or large tree, with a dark, persistent, rugged bark, of which only fragmentary 

 fruiting specimens have been preserved. These appear to me to differ but slightly from E. crebra in the 

 leaves rather thicker and broader, and in the fruits much larger, attaining 4 lines diameter, or rather more. 

 There is some confusion here with E. drepanophylla. [See p. 267. J.H.M.] 



Then we have : — 



E. leptophleba, or Blackbutt, is a large tree of quick growth, rising to a height of about 100 feet, 

 with a diameter of 3-4 feet; bark dark, persistent, and separating into numerous small pieces (similar to 

 that of E. tesscllaris) on the trunk, grey, smooth, and deciduous on the branches. This tree has the general 

 appearance of E. tereticornis, with the bark of E. tesscllaris and the fruit of E. crebra. The wood is red, 

 hard, and durable, but not much used, in consequence of being generally hollow in the centre. (P. O'Shanesy, 

 of Rockhampton.) " Contributions to the Flora of Queensland," 1880, p. 40. 



' Yudhulwan " is the aboriginal name, according to Mr. O'Shanesy, who was 

 writing on the Eucalypts between Rockhampton and the Drummond Range. 



E. leptophleba has the bark more greyish, less furrowed (than E. crebra), and rather wrinkled, breaking 

 up into numerous small, angular pieces in the manner of E. tcssellaris ; hence it belongs to the Rhytiphloite 

 not Schizophloia 1 ; its flowers remained unknown, but its lid is double in an early state of growth. To 

 E. leptophleba seems also to belong a tree, observed by Mr. P. O'Shanesy on the Comet River, which sheds 

 the outer layers of its bark from the branches and upper part of the stem; the persistent portion of the 

 bark resembles that of E. tessellaris, but the leaves are more prominently veined, and the fruit is often 

 five-valved, and occasionally even six-valved. (Eucalyptogra.phia under E. crebra). 



I have mentioned, below, p. 267, that I do not think that Mr. O'Shanesy's tree 

 is free from doubt. 



Seeing my note (Part X, p. 333) to the effect that the juvenile leaves of 

 E. leptophleba were unknown, Dr. T. L. Bancroft, then of Stannary Hills, North Queens- 

 land, where the species is abundant, obligingly sent me juvenile leaves. They are 

 elliptical or nearly oblong in shape, very coriaceous, equally green on both sides, and 

 4|- inches in breadth by 7 inches in length are common dimensions. The veins are 

 prominent, roughly parallel, and often nearly at right angles to the midrib. The 

 intramarginal vein is at a considerable distance from the edge, 



