ON SOME N.S.W. TAN-SUBSTANCES. 275 



D6. Eugenia Smithii, Poir., N.O. Myrtacese, B. FL, iii. } 282. 



Found from Victoria to Northern Australia. 



Sample obtained from Oatley's Grant, (gully leading into swamp 

 near George's River) near Sydney. " Lilly Pilly." Height of 

 tree, 30 feet ; diameter, 9 inches. Collected 5th November, 1887. 

 Analysed 16th to 18th August, 1888. 



Full of shallow fissures. The flaky outside bark peels off with 

 not much difficulty, exposing a thin velvety layer of friable 

 colouring matter of the colour of red ochre. The inner bark is 

 tough and compact, and of a darker colour. Average thickness J 

 inch. Lost 50-8 per cent, in drying on water-bath. Colour of 

 <lry powder, light reddish-brown. 



Extract — 33*1 percent. Colour, rich ruby; of moist residue 

 dark dirty brown. 



Tannic acid — 16*05 per cent. Non-tannin and impurities — 

 1*422 per cent. Analysis of a bark of this species made under 

 Baron Mueller's direction many years ago, gave " Tannic acid 

 16*9 per cent. Gallic acid *7 per cent." Compare the results 

 obtained with the next bark. 



97. Eugenia Smithii. Poir. See 96. 



Sample obtained from Cambewarra, near the bank of the 

 Shoalhaven River. Height of tree, 50 to 60 feet ; diameter, 1J 

 to 2 feet. Collected 5th May, 1888. Analysed 30th August to 

 14th September, 1888, 



From a much older tree than the preceding, the general 

 description of which will apply here. Average thickness, up to 

 \ inch. As the tree grows, the flakes do not appear to enlarge 

 considerably in thickness, but the inner solid bark does. In 

 samples such as the present, the flaky portion is very friable. 

 Colour of dry powder, light dirty brown. 



Extract — 52*88 per cent. Colour, dark ruby ; of moist residue 

 reddish-brown, near burnt umber. 



Tannic acid — 28*648 per cent. Non-tannin and impurities — 

 2*776 per cent. 



An extraordinary result (the mean of three distinct analyses), 

 and inasmuch as the colour of the extract both alone and with 

 hide-powder is not objectionable, this appears to be a valuable 

 addition to the raw vegetable products of New South Wales. A 

 tanner has undertaken to tan a sample of hide with this bark 

 (which is by no means rare), and I will submit the leather to the 

 Society in due course. This sample is from the bank of the river ; 

 I will endeavour to ascertain whether bark from a tree of the 

 same size in the adjacent mountains contains a different percentage 

 of tannic acid. 



