5 
There are two other varieties of this species, viz., calcicultrix, F.v.M., and 
pvrpurascens, Maiden, but they are both confined to South Australia as far asfis 
known at present. Full particulars of these forms may be obtained from my 
“ Critical Revision of the genus Eucalyptus,” Yol. ii, Part 1. 
Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus, already explained (see Part II, p. 34) ; 
odorata, Latin, smelling, hence sweet-smelling or odoriferous. 
The original describers say: “ Its leaves are filled with abundant volatile oil, 
and smell strongly when it is inclined to rain.” 
Vernacular Names. —In South Australia the typical form is most generally 
known as “ Peppermint ” and sometimes as “ Box Gum.” 
A scrubby form of the typical species is known about Adelaide as “ Black 
Mallee.” 
The typical form has been sent to me from the Wyalong district as “ Mallee 
Box ” or “ Box Mallee,” also as “ Grey Box,” but it must not be confused with 
Eucalyptus hemiphloia, var. microcarpa (the small-fruited Grey Box). I have 
recommended the name “Western Peppermint” for typical odorata. 
The Woollsiana variety has also been sent under the names of “ Mallee Box ” 
{e.g., from the Cobar district), and “ White or Grey Box ” from Gilgandra. But the 
commonest name for this variety, and the one I recommend for adoption, if it be 
desired to discriminate between the two forms (which is not easy, as they run into 
each other), is “Narrow-leaved Box.” 
Leaves. —The tree was named, as has already been indicated, because of the 
odour of the oil extracted from its leaves. Following is a brief account of some 
observations on the oil. 
Baron von Mueller found that 1,000 lb. of twigs of this tree (comprising, 
perhaps, 500 lb. of leaves) yielded 112^ oz. of essential oil. Bosisto ( Trans. Roy. 
Soc. Viet., vol. vi, 54, 1861-4), in part, however, gives the following figures:— 
100 lb. of leaves from trees growing on elevated spots yielded 4 oz. 13 drs. of oil, of 
specific gravity ’922, while the same quantity of leaves from trees growing on low, 
swampy lands, yielded only 5^ drs. of oil, of specific gravity - 899. It is pale 
yellowish, with a greenish tinge, and an aromatic, somewhat camphoraceous smell 
It boils between 157° and 199°.* 
Quoting my book, Messrs. Schimmel & Co. say that the yield of oil 
from fresh leaves amounts to 1’4 per cent. The light yellow oil has an aromatic 
camphor-like taste and smells after cineol and Roman Carroway oil. Specific 
gravity 0’899 to 0925 ; slightly laevogyrate. It boils from 157°-199° (Bosisto), and 
is often so rich in cineol (identified by the hydrobromic acid compound) that it 
solidifies in a freezing mixture without being fractioned. 
o o 
* Quoted in my “ Useful Native Plants of Australia” (1889). 
