58 
The difference between E. Bosistoana and E. melliodora was long apparent to me, from a careful 
comparison of the trees growing in the Mitchell River district, and especially from distinctions which have 
been apparent to the timber men there. The wood of this Eucalypt is much browner in colour than that 
of E. melliodora, and while the timber of the latter can very rarely be split into posts or rails, that of the 
former, although it is difficult to split “ on the quarter,” is, when once the log is opened, “ backed off ” with 
great ease. The principal differences upon which a rapid diagnosis may be made lie in the greatly superior 
height of E. Bosistoana, in its freer growth, the rhytiphloious (fibrous) bark, the smooth upper portion of 
the stem and limbs, and the somewhat larger fruit, with a narrow, compressed rim, and more deeply sunk 
orifice. Finally the outer stamens are all provided with fertile anthers, while those of E. melliodora are 
anantherous. 
The timber of this tree is most durable, and is one of the most serviceable of the Eucalypts of 
Victoria, especially for work which is exposed to damp. (A. W. Howitt in Trans. Roy. Soc. Viet., ii, 95, 
1890-1.) 
In the above passage, where E. Bosistoana occurs, there is E. odor at a in the 
original, as Mueller made that species very comprehensive, and afterwards carved 
E. Bosistoana out of it. 
Mr. Howitt subsequently wrote to me: “ The greatest care should be taken to 
preserve this timber, for the reason that where works of construction require great 
durability and strength combined with length of material, there is no Victorian 
Eucalypt to compare with this.” 
“ Red Box abounds in this district, and I am assured by persons who are 
competent to judge, equal, if not superior, to Ironbark for strength and durability. 
Recommended to be tested for sleepers and bridge-building.” (The late Eorest 
Ranger Benson, Wagonga, N.S.W., writing in 1893.) 
I have a specimen of the same timber, called “ Grey Box,” from the Muckin- 
dary Bridge, Bombala, N.S.W., part of a pile nineteen years in the ground. It is 
quite sound, but has split badly. 
The following notes concerning the same timber I obtained verbally from Mr. 
A. R. Crawford, of Wingello, N.S.W. :— 
“ A splendid timber, no faults of any kind. Good for wheelwrighting, shafts, 
and all frame work.” 
Mr. Crawford further says that this is the best Box he has ever worked, and 
he has worked that of Hill Top, Orange, &c. 
It will be observed that all these witnesses uniformly speak most highly of 
this timber. 
It is a brown timber, drying paler. It is hard, and without gum veins. The 
tree has good clean stems and smooth branches. 
Size.— This tree grows to 200 feet, or in exceptional cases to perhaps 250 feet 
in height. (A. W. Howitt, too. cit.) 
Habitat. — So far as we know at present, it is confined to eastern New South 
Wales, from the Illawarra and the southern tableland in the npyth as far as North 
Gippsland (Bairnsdale district ) y Victoria, in the $outh. 
