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Fruits. —Not so flat-topped as micrantha. Kxm never depressed. Speaking generally, the shape 
of the fruits reminds one of a pear. The rim is more or less domed, and usually brownish or 
red (hence the specific name). I do not agree that, speaking at all generally, “the capsule 
is slightly depressed,” as stated at B.F1. iii, 212. Pedicels not so thin, being more tapering 
than is the case with var. micrantha. Sometimes the fruits are hardly pear-shaped, but this 
is unusual. We have some nearly hemispherical, but much larger than those of var. 
micrantha. At the same time there are fruits which undoubtedly show transition between 
E. hrrmastoma and its variety micrantha. 
Range. —The typical species apparently does not extend much beyond the Hawkesbury sandstone, 
and is most abundant not far from Port Jackson, the Hawkesbury, and Georges River, and 
the ridges and broken country in the vicinity. While the range is not very precisely 
defined at present, that of the variety micrantha is undoubtedly very much more extensive. 
E. haemastoma var. micrantha. 
Introductory. —In many respects resembling E. harmastoma, but the flowers are much smaller, 
and the tree is never rough on the lowest part of the trunk, but always smooth right to the 
ground. 
It is one of the most uniform of our Eucalypts, whether occurring on the coastal 
sandy flats or on the mountain ranges. 
Vernacular Names. —“ White Gum ” is a very common name. It, however, in one or other of 
the many districts in which it occurs, usually goes under some name referring to the softness 
or brittleness of its timber, e.g., “ Cabbage Gum,” “ Snappy Gum, “ Brittle Gum, 
“ Brittle Jack.” 
Bark. —Smooth, right to the ground. The colour of the bark is usually white ; but sometimes, 
particularly in localities comparatively remote from the sea, the bark is at certain seasons of 
the year yellowish. Away from the sea, also, the bark appears to have a greater tendency 
to peel off in patches, giving it more or less a spotted appearance. 
Timber. —Soft, red. An excellent timber for fencing posts, and in some districts, especially the 
Southern Table-land, preferred for this purpose. 
Sucker leaves (very young).—Nearly ovate, then nearly oblong (rounded at both ends), and with 
crenulate margins. As growth proceeds, they become attenuate at both ends and somewhat 
falcate. 
Young foliage. —Blue-green, a little glaucous, and with purple-brown twigs. Alternate, ovate- 
lanceolate, very acuminate, a little oblique, up to 6 inches long and 2g broad. The 
intramarginal vein much removed from the edge. From this stage, the foliage gradually 
develops into the mature stage. 
Mature leaves. —These vary somewhat, which is not a matter for surprise, considering the 
extensive range of the tree. They are often thick and glossy. Those from Bargo Brush are 
of this character, and inches long and 1 to 11 broad. Those from Queanbeyan are 
narrow-lanceolate. Some in the Sydney district are quite small; usually not exceeding 
3 by g inch. The foliage of many trees in the Mudgee district is quite sparse. In the 
Macleay and Hastings districts the trees frequently have broadish, lanceolate leaves up to 
7 inches by 1 i. Sometimes the leaves are hooked at the ends, a character more general in 
Eucalypts than was at one time supposed. 
But there is no doubt that the leaves of this form pass insensibly into those of the 
normal species. Specimens from the Blue Mountains (e.g., Mount Victoria) of var. micrantha. 
show this transition very clearly. 
Peduncles. — Some specimens show a radiate inflorescence, and a very large number of flowers and 
yellow buds (e.g., Grenfell). 
Operculum .—Nearly hemispherical, or with a small umbo ; less pointed than in the typical form. 
B 
