60 R. T. BAKER AND H. G. SMITH. 
with the usual reagents. From the results of this 
investigation it appears most probable that the ‘tubers’ of 
this species of Vitis are simply enlarged root stocks, and 
as found have comparatively little food value. Cultivation 
might perhaps improve them somewhat in this respect, but 
this result is not promising. 
We are indebted to Messrs. G. Smith and J. W. Tremain 
for photographs illustrating the paper. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 
Fig. 1—‘Tuber” with root attachment. 
Fig. 2—Section (transverse) through fresh specimen. 
Fig. 3—Transverse section through withered specimens. This 
shows more distinctly than Fig. 2 the medullary rays. 
THE AUSTRALIAN MELALEUCAS AND THEIR 
ESSENTIAL OILS. 
By RICHARD T. BAKER, F.L.S., Curator, and HENRY G. 
SMITH, F.C.S., Assistant Curator, Technological 
Museum, Sydney. 
Pant i 
[With Plates IV. - VII.] 
[Read before the Royal Society of N. 8. Wales, August 1, 1906.] 
THE Melaleucas commonly known as “‘ Tea Trees,’’ and 
which are distributed throughout the whole continent of 
Australia, (being found in the dry interior as well as on 
the mountain ranges and coast districts), may almost be 
regarded as endemic. M. Leucadendron, which is recorded 
also for the Indian Archipelago, may have escaped from 
this austral mainland. It was upon material of this latter 
species that Linnaeus founded the genus in 1767, and since 
then over 100 species have been described as Australian, 
