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29.— E. occidentalis (Endl.). (The Flat -topped Yate.) 
I will describe three proposed new varieties of this species, 
viz., var. astringens (the Mallet) and vars. spathulata and macrandra. 
The true Yate is E. cornuta, Labill. It is sometimes called 
“Black or Hill Yate” in contradistinction to the “White or 
Swamp Yate,” which is E. occidentalis. The branches of the 
latter are whiter than those of the Black Yate. 
The term “ Flat- topped Yate ” is not in use at the Porongo- 
rups, so far as I could ascertain. It is, however, coming into 
use as applied to the Mallet Bark tree, although the Swamp Yate 
is flat-topped also. The term "Flat-topped Yate” is in use 
for E. occidentalis in other parts of the State. 
“ Mr. Muir noted a variety of Yate which has the mass of 
its foliage flat-topped ” (Mueller in “ Forest Resources of Western 
Australia,” p. 8). 
The name Yate as applied to more than one species has 
caused some confusion. Mueller, in “ Eucalyptographia,” calls 
E. occidentalis the “Flat-topped Yate,” but apparently in the 
passage just quoted he looked upon E. cornuta as having a flat- 
topped form, but 1 did not see, nor could I hear of such a form 
of E. cornuta. 
E. occidentalis is a polymorphic species. Dr. L. Diels (Eng- 
ler’s Bot. Jahrb. xxxv, 442) described a variety eremophila. 
There are two forms whose chief distinction appears to lie 
in the bark, viz., the “ Flat-topped or Swamp Yate,” and the 
“ Mallet.” Endlicher’s description of the species throws no light 
on the character of the bark, but I think it is a fair assumption 
that the “Flat-topped Yate” is referred to. This is the tree 
well-known for many years, and I describe its appearance as 
follows :• — 
“ An erect tree with flat tops. The bark blackish and fur- 
rowed (on the lower half of the trunk), then flaky or feathery 
with black twisted strips, like a French fowl, for approximately 
the remaining half, then with smooth branches. 
The timber brown with gum veins.” 
Mueller’s description of the bark of the species in the “ Euca- 
lyptographia ” does not take cognisance of that of two forms. 
What appeared to be a dwarf form of the “ Flat-topped or 
Swamp Yate ” I found on the descent from the Porongorups 
foot-hills to the Kalgan Plains, and bearing the local name 
“ Bastard Yate.” It consists of thickly disposed saplings 10-15 
feet, very tough, used as whip handles. With Mallee-like stocks, 
and the foliage and twigs with a slightly glaucous look. 
Var. astringens, var. nov 
We now come to the form which has come into prominence 
during the last few years because of the commercial value of its 
bark, known as “ Mallet.” 
