5 
Undoubtedly the two species are closely allied. Some years ago I made 
E. gigantea E. obliqua var. alpina, and there is much to be said in favour of that 
view. According to the opinions of various people as to what amount of difference 
constitutes a species as distinct from a variety, so one may look upon it as a 
variety of E. obliqua, and another as a distinct species. I think it is better to 
look upon this tree as a distinct species, but I came to that conclusion very 
gradually. I have specimens which most closely connect the two species, whose 
affinities are hot so obvious from typical forms. 
E. gigantea generally succeeds E. obliqua in alpine situations. Its bark is 
whiter, more matted (box-like) that is to say, less fibrous; while the branches 
are smoother and more glaucous, the opercula less pointed, the fruits more pear- 
shaped, and the foliage more succulent and more pleasantly aromatic. 
E. gigantea was subsequently described by Mueller in Fragm. ii, 44, and 
at p. 45 its supposed differences from E. obliqua L'Herit. were stated. E. obliqua 
was then not known to him, and he followed Hooker in confusing the two species. 
Botanical Xame. Eucalyptus, already explained (see Part II, p. 34) ; 
gigantea (Latin), pertaining to the giants hence gigantic or very large, in 
reference to the size of the tree. 
Vernacular Names. " Stringybark," or "Stringybark Gum," and "Gum- 
topped Stringybark," the two latter names in reference to the comparative 
smoothness ("gum "-like) of the upper part of the trunk. "Woolly Butt" of 
Gippsland, for obvious reasons. It is called " Mountain Ash " in New South 
Wales, but not to be confused with E. Sieberiana F.v.M. (see Part XXXIV of the 
present work). The name is given because of its resemblance to Ash timber. 
Synonyms. It has long been confused with E. obliqua L' Je"rit., as already 
explained, and also to a lesser extent with E. hamastoma Sm., E. delegatensis 
R. T. Baker, and E. obliqua L'Herit. var. alpina Maiden, are synonyms. 
Leaves. They are often glaucous, and exhale a delicious and dainty aroma. 
Bark. This tree has tall, clean, tapering trunks, the bark on the lower half 
of stem very thick and woolly, like stringy bark ; this ceases abruptly at about half 
the height of the stem or barrel, no matter what height the tree or length of stem 
may be. Above this the bark is quite clean, very thin, only about half an inch 
thick, of a pale bluish grey or whitish colour, the old bark peeling off in long thin 
strips which do not generally hang loosely about the stem and branches, as is 
the case with E. regnans. (H. Hopkins, in letter.) 
Timber. Remarkably sound' at heart, few trees being less liable to show 
any signs of pipe or heart decay. Remarkably light in weight and colour, easy to 
work, and very suitable for joiners' work. It splits freely, but is not durable in the 
ground. 
