EUCALYPTUS AUSTRALIaNA AND ITS ESSENTIAL OIL. 



515 



The differentiation of the species from that of Labil- 

 lardiere of Tasmania is justified, we think, on both botanical 

 and chemical grounds, as mentioned by us in our paper on 

 the Tasmanian Eucalypts. 



The commercial world is no longer satisfied with common 

 names to plants, but looks to the botanical name as defi- 

 nitely placing not only the tree but also the products 

 obtained from it. Orders for our botanical products placed 

 in Australia from Europe and America invariably now give 

 the specific name of a species, and as there is a great com- 

 mercial future before the oil of this tree, it is only right 

 we think, that the opportunity should be taken to bring 

 commerce into line with science. 



Systematic Description. 



It attains forest tree height, but more often is only a 

 medium sized tree. The bark is persistent on the stem, and 

 well out on the branches. It has what is known as "pepper- 

 mint" bark, and quite characteristic, being of a compact, 

 fibrous nature, but yet distinct from the ordinary " Stringy- 

 bark." It more nearly approaches that of the "Boxes," 

 but the fibres are straight, not checkered as obtains in that 

 group of Eucalypts. 



The "sucker" leaves are sessile, opposite, cordate- 

 lanceolate, normal leaves narrow lanceolate to broadly 

 lanceolate (Victoria), venation distinct, lateral veins mostly 

 at an angle of about 40° with occasionally a few at a very 

 acute angle and long spreading, intramarginal vein removed 

 from the edge. 



Peduncles axillary with a varying number of flowers. 

 Calyx turbinate, short. Operculum obtuse, flattened. 

 Stamens all fertile, anthers kidney-shaped. Fruit pilular 

 to turbinate, rather small comparatively, from two to three 

 lines in diameter, with red rim, and a thin contracted 

 edge, valves not exserted. 



