89 
Dr. Howitt ( loc. cit.) speaks as follows about the “ Yertchuk” : — 
It rarely grows more than 100 feet in height, but is generally a rather small tree, often stunted. 
The bark classes it with the stringy barks, for it is fibrous and persistent up to the smaller branches, some¬ 
what resembling that of E. obliqua, but thinner, more fissile, and lighter in colour. For roofing purposes 
the bark is worthless, and the timber of no value for splitting or sawing, having the soft, veiny character 
of some types of amygdalina. 
Botanical Name.— Eucalyptus , already explained (see Part II, p. 34); 
Consideniana, —in describing this species, I stated: “ I name this species in honour 
of First-Assistant Surgeon D. (Denis) Considen, one of the founders of Australia In 
reviewing the ‘ Historical Records of New South Wales ’ (Vol. i, Part 2) in the Sydney 
Morning Herald of 23rd July, 1892, I drew attention to the fact that Considen’s 
letter, dated 18tli Nov., 1788, to Sir Joseph Banks, is perhaps the most interesting 
one in the collection to the student of economic botany. From the following passage 
it would appear that Considen was the founder of the Eucalyptus oil industry: ‘ We 
have a large peppermint tree which is equal, if not superior, to our English pepper¬ 
mint. I have sent you a specimen of it. If there is any merit in applying these and 
many other simples to the benefit of the poor wretches here, I certainly claim it, 
being the first who discovered and recommended them.’ At this time a bottle of 
Eucalyptus oil was sent to Sir Joseph Banks by Governor Phillip. I further wrote in 
the review : £ I think some effort should be made to rescue the name of the first user 
of Australian plants from oblivion. I trust that at least a species will be named 
after the pioneer before many months are over.’ 
“ I regret that the matter slipped my memory on more than one occasion, but 
I now dedicate to his memory a species very closely allied to that from which he 
distilled the first Australian Eucalyptus oil .” 
Yernacular Name.—Mr. R. H. Cambage, who prominently brought this 
tree under my notice, gives the local names as “Peppermint” or “White 
Mahogany”; Mr. Boorman as “Messmate.” 
Aboriginal Names. —Dr. Howitt says that the aborigines call those Gipps- 
land trees which I have referred to this species “ Yertchuk ” or “ ICatakatak.” I 
do not know any distinctive name employed in New South Wales for the tree, and 
therefore propose the name “ Yertchuk ” for it. 
Bark.—Very much like that of E. piperita, the “ Sydney Peppermint,” as 
already stated. 
Timber.—Wood pale-coloured, with kino rings, remarkably like that of the 
common Sydney Peppermint (E. piperita, Sm.). “ Soft'find ringy, not nearly so 
good as ‘Mountain Ash,’ E. Sieberiana” (Boorman). None of the timber that I 
have seen of this species appears to be of much economic value. In the Gosford 
district it was used for rails. 
B 
