177 
Mr. W. U. Nowland, the Staff-Surveyor of the Tumut district, wrote to me 
as follows, in May, 1903 :— 
A tree growing on the ridgy country round about Tumut. Personally, it is known to me as either 
a “Messmate,” or “Peppermint,” according to locality. Some buskmen call it by the former name, others 
by the latter, owing to it being very hard to distinguish from another tree here in this district, almost a 
fac simile, excepting in the shape of the leaf. The samples of leaves I send you are not unlike the 
“Mountain Apple” ( Eucahjptus Cambagei). The other tree referred to (E. amygdalina, J.H.M.) has 
thinner leaves, of a shivery and silver-looking appearance, but both are strongly impregnated with 
oil, and are pungent to taste. For my own convenience, in reports to the Department, I call the last-named 
“ Messmate,” and that which I am sending you, “ Peppermint.” These two trees are useful for fencing 
and building purposes. 
Mr. E. H. Cambage lias some interesting notes on the tree in Proc. Linn. 
Soc., 1901, p. 691. 
Following are some specific localities for E. dives, in the National Herbarium, 
Sydney. 
Southern Localities. —Bombala and Cumberland Eange (A. W. Howitt); 
near Delegate (J.H.M.); Jindabyne (J.H.M.); Yarrangobilly (W. Forsyth); 
“Messmate,” Granite Hill, Tumberumba (E. H. Cambage); Head of Tarcutta 
Creek, 8 miles from Tumberumba (Forest Eanger Mecham); “ Messmate or 
Peppermint,” ridgy country about Tumut (W. U. Nowland); Cockatoo, near 
Germanton (W. Forsyth); Queanbeyan (J. D. Francis) ; Bungendore (W. S. 
Campbell, A. W. Howitt); Bell’s Creek, near Braid wood (J. S. Allan); Fagan’s 
Creek (W. Baeuerlen) ; Barber’s Creek (J.H.M.); Wingello, Berrima, and 
Mittagong (J.H.M. and J. L. Boorman), where it is known as “ Bastard Stringy- 
bark,” “ Bastard Messmate,” or “ Messmate.” 
Western Localities .—This tree seems to rarely occur on the sandstone, but 
as soon as the granite occurs, e g , near Bowenfels, it makes its appearance plentifully. 
Mount Victoria (E. H. Cambage; J.H.M., on sandstone); Cox’s Eiver (E. II. 
Cambage and J.H.M.); Jenolan Caves (W. F. Blakeley); Wallerawang (H. Deane 
and J.H.M.) ; Tarana (A. Murphy) ; Capertee (J. L, Boorman and J.H.M.); 
Sunny Corner (J. L. Boorman) ; Hockley (E. H. Cambage); Orange (A. W. 
Howitt, B. H. Cambage). “Blue Peppermint,” Mount Vincent, Mudgee district 
(E. T. Baker). 
Propagation.— This tree serves a useful purpose on the sterile ridges it has 
made its home. It has accustomed itself to its environment, and grows where but 
few trees can obtain a footing. At the same time it is not a tree that I would 
deliberately propagate except under special circumstances. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 75. 
a. Sucker leaves. 
b. Flowering branch 
c. Buds. 
d. Fruits. 
B 
