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



of extract in the leaves of the Acacias examined varies between 

 21*55 and 40*18 per cent., and of Eucalypts between 22*93 and 

 49*8 per cent. In the barks (Tables 3 and 4) there is a fair 

 agreement in numerical order between extracts and tans ; in the 

 case of the leaves (Tables 1 and 2), I fail to find any such relation. 

 Also, in the barks the percentage of tannin is roughly about one- 

 half that of the extract ; no such proportion (or in fact any that 

 I can detect), occurs in the case of the leaves. 



6. Count Maillard de Marafy has suggested that the leaves 

 of E. globulus can be utilized as a substitute for sumach 

 ("L'Eucalyptus, nouvel emploi industriel). I have not access to the 

 original memoir, but the following passage, not so full as could 

 be desired, will be found, Pharm. Journ., [3] iii., 43 : — ■" Leaves 

 of E. globulus, taken from a plantation near Alexandria, and 

 pulverized like Sumach, when used upon cotton and wool in the 

 same proportion as the best Sicilian Sumach, gave an intense black 

 that left nothing to be desired." The process alluded to is 

 the usual one with lime water and copperas (Sulphate of 

 iron). Of course if the value of the leaves for producing a black 

 dye in this way be proved, their value as a tan-substance is proved 

 likewise. As the result of my experiments I am impressed with 

 the general similarity of the behaviour of Eucalyptus leaves to 

 Sumach. They are inferior In tanning power of course to the 

 latter, but as they will doubtless yield light-coloured leather, and 

 as they are so exceeding abundant, they should not be beneath 

 the notice of an enterprising tanner to perforin systematic 

 experiments with them. At least E. corymbosa, E. obliqua, E. 

 stellulata, and E. Gunnii, are worthy of attention on account of 

 their high yield of tannin, and subsequent researches will doubtless 

 augment the list. I have not yet analysed the leaves of E. globulus, 

 but I must confess that although I commenced this paper not 

 seriously thinking that the leaves of any Eucalypt were worthy 

 to be ranked with Sumach, I have now come to the conclusion 

 that the Comte de Marafy 's remark was not an unjustifiable one. 



7. I would throw out the suggestion that the residue left after 

 the distillation of oil from Eucalyptus leaves might be used for 

 tanning purposes. 



55. Acacia vestita, Ker, N.O. Leguminosse, B. El. ii., 375. 



Eound in Southern New South Wales and Northern Victoria. 

 Locality whence this particular specimen was obtained — 



Quiedong, near Bombala. 

 Geological Formation — Limestone. 

 Part of Tree Examined — Leaves. 



