134 
in the ground), and except on the surface, they were as sound as if they had been 
freshly felled. A charred fence-post of the same wood, which had stood in Burnt 
Island for thirty-eight years, was in the same condition. 
Peppermint. —This is a very durable wood when placed in the ground, and is of great value for 
piles in bridges, etc., but it neither grows tall, large, nor plentifully. It makes splendid house-shingles.— 
(John Bradley.) 
Exudation. —It exudes a ruby-coloured kino, soluble in water and alcohol, 
which is a useful astringent often employed by bushmen. 
Size. —It is not one of our largest trees. It is usually a tree of medium size, 
say, up to 50 or 60 feet, with a stem-diameter of 2 feet. Exceptional trees attain 
far larger dimensions. 
Habitat. —Tasmania is the home of the type, but the species is very 
abundant in Victoria and New South Wales, occurring in the colder districts of the 
last-named States. It is also sparingly found in south-eastern South Australia. 
New South Wales. 
In this State it extends from the Victorian to the Queensland border 
(Tenterfield and Wilson’s Downfall), and I have no doubt that it will be found 
in Queensland, probably in the Stanthorpe district. Westerly it extends to near 
Orange. As a rule it is found in the colder and more mountainous parts of the 
State. 
Southern Localities. —It occurs from the Victorian border to as far north as 
Hill Top, near Mittagong. 
Western Localities. —Lawson to Mount Victoria, and the higher parts of the 
Blue Mountains generally. The most westerly locality known to me is Mullion 
Creek, Orange (B. H. Cambage). 
Northern Localities. — Messmate. —Very abundant. Coming from the Bellinger River, first seen 
about Tyringbam, and then at least as far as Woollomombi. Found on the very summit of the 
Round Mountain. At Bald Hills Station, Mr. Walter Beauchamp showed me posts of this timber which had 
been down from ten to fifteen years, and which were still sound. This timber lasts even longer in damp 
ground. This is worthy of note, as E. amygdalina is not usually considered durable for the purpose 
stated.—(J.H.M., Agricultural Gazette, N.S. IF., 1894, p. 611.) 
Yarrowitch to Tia, New England (J.H.M.). Moona Plains, Walclia; valves 
slightly exsert (A. R. Crawford). The northern specimens, as a rule, are closer 
to Sieber’s E. radiata than to typical E. amycjdalina. 
Propagation. —Erom seed. No species produces it more abundantly and 
none grows on poorer ground. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 62. 
A. Juvenile foliage, showing glandular character. 
B. Flowering branch, showing pendulous habit. 
c. Fruits. 
(All from Wentworth Falls, New South Wales.) 
