301 



AFFINITIES. 



The author was struck by the remarkable shape of the juvenile leaves, but 

 suggested no affinity. 



The affinity is with E. populifolia Hook., see Plate 48, Part X. There is no doubt 

 that the two species are closely related, and it may be that they belong to the same 

 species. I have received admirable specimens and notes from Dr. T. L. Bancroft, who 

 suggested hybridism, an opinion I held for a number of years, but which I abandoned. 



If the references and plates to E. ■populifolia and E. rariflora be examined, it 

 will be found that in both species we have a predominance of round or poplardeaves 

 (populifolia), but also lanceolate leaves of various widths. In E. populifolia we have 

 the narrower leaves in trees which do not appear to carry the broadest leaves, or which 

 have not been collected on the same tree. In E. rariflora we have the two kinds of leaf 

 on the same tree. 



These narrow leaves above referred to are shiny and are generally recognised 

 as belonging to E. populifolia ; indeed, bushmen call the shrub or tree producing them 

 " Narrowdeaved Bimble Box." It is around these narrow leaves that the uncertainty, 

 referred to hybridism as one explanation, has gathered. (For example, I thought 

 the explanation was in assuming a hybrid between E. populifolia and E. bicolor, the 

 latter being a species often associated with the former, and having narrow leaves.) 



The explanation I submit at the present time is that in all these forms we have 

 one comprehensive species, consisting of — 



1. E. populifolia, with broad leaves, as we usually know it. 



2. With lanceolate leaves of various widths. 



3. E. rarifl.ora, with leaves of (1) and (2) combined on the same tree. 



I believe that we have isoblastic and heteroblastic species which are but forms 

 of one another, and that we keep them apart because we have not the connecting 

 evidence. 



In the present case I have given the evidence as to leaves ; I cannot see any 

 difference in inflorescence and fruits. The barks and timbers appear to be alike. I 

 have given sufficient evidence to cause both Queensland and New South Wales botanists 

 to endeavour to settle a very interesting and far-reaching point as to the relations 

 between, or the identity of, the two species. 



