17 
Botanical Name. —It is from two Greek words signifying “vessel bearing,” 
in allusion to the fruits ; but its meaning does not imply anything particularly 
characteristic, as it would be equally appropriate if applied to those of the Eucalypts. 
The specific name lanceolata is in allusion to the shape of the leaves; but these 
vary in width somewhat, being occasionally as narrow as those of the narrow-leaved 
variety of Angophora intermedia. 
Vernacular Names. —Sydney workmen know it best by the name of Red 
Gum; but, as this name has been appropriated, over vast areas, by a different tree 
(Eucalyptus rostrata), it may be well to leave the latter in undisputed possession, 
reserving for A. lanceolata the appropriate designation of the “ Smooth-barked 
Apple-tree,” the only objection to which is its length. The smooth bark is not 
perfectly white in colour, but of a uniform yellowish-red tint; hence two of its 
names, “ Orange Gum ” and “ Rusty Gum.” Hardly at any period of the year will 
you see one of these trees unstained with kino, which frequently exudes in consider¬ 
able quantity, and every bit shows up on the pale-coloured, smooth bark. These 
stains being of an orange or rusty colour, have intensified the appropriateness of the 
designations just alluded to. Because it is common on the Blue Mountains, it 
sometimes goes by the name of “ Mountain Apple-tree,” but as often as not it is 
simply called “ Apple.” 
Aboriginal Names. —That cyclopaedia of aboriginal plant names, the late 
Sir William Macarthur, records that this tree was called “ Kajimbourra ” by the 
blacks of the counties of Cumberland and Camden—a word doubtless with a 
significant meaning,—and the least we can do is to endeavour to rescue these 
euphonious names from the oblivion which is fast overtaking those who were 
accustomed to employ them. Mr. E. M. Bailey records that South Queensland 
blacks used to call the tree “Toolookar.” 
Synonyms. — Metrosideros costata, Gaertn., Fruct. i, 171, t. 34 f. 2. M. 
lanceolata, Pers., Syn. FI. ii, 25 (not the sp. with the same name, l.c. 26). 
M. apocynifolia, Salisb., Frod. 351. 
Flowers. —Note the delicate petals in these flowers. The closely allied 
Eucalypts have no petals. 
• 
The late Sir William Macarthur judiciously remarked of this tree : “ The 
largest of the genus; the connecting link between Angophora and the smooth- 
barked Eucalypti.” 
Timber. —As might have been expected with such a free yielder of kino, 
the timber of this tree is liable to gum-veins; in fact, it is difficult to get a piece of 
any size from them. Nevertheless it is a useful timber, strong and heavy, and used 
for naves of wheels, flooring-boards, slabs, rough buildings, and fuel. A specific 
