(R.T.B., Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., 1900, p. 316, t. XIX.) Green Mallee, Red Mallee, Brown Mallee.

Systematic. - A "Mallee" of dense growth, the stems usually 2 to 3 inches in diameter, but occasionally measuring 20 feet in height; it rarely grows to tree size; bark smooth, or only rough at the base of the larger trees. Abnormal leaves constantly much narrower than normal leaves. Normal leaves erect, narrow-lanceolate, to almost linear, under 6 inches long, mostly 2 to 4 inches, obtuse or acute, colour rich green, but lustreless on both sides, petiole short; venation obscured, lateral veins spreading, intramarginal vein not far removed from the edge. Flowers seven to ten, on axillary peduncles. Buds 4 to 6 lines long; calyx tube under 2 lines in diameter, pyriform; operculum hemispherical, very shortly acuminate.

Fruit. - Hemispherical to pyriform, on a pedicel of from 1 to 3 lines long; rim thin, contracted at the edge; valves inserted; about 2 to 3 lines in diameter.

The fruits are very like those of E. polybractea.

Habitat. - On the hills near Girilambone, thence across country to Cobar; also 7 miles out from Coolabah, on the Wilga Downs Road, Wyalong, New South Wales; Victoria (back country).

Plate LXVI.

E. Viridis. R.T.B. Green Mallee

REMARKS. - This is a "Mallee" with an extensive range between the Bogan and Lachlan Rivers. The fruits vary little in size, and very often cannot be distinguished from those of E. Woollsiana, R.T.B., a species with a "Box" bark, pale coloured timber, and with variable leaves. It has little botanical connection with E. gracilis, and is a very distinct and constant species throughout its geographical distribution. The bark is of a fibrous nature, but not deeply furrowed, and of a peculiar rich yellow colour on the inner side. Mr. Maiden synonymises it under E. aeacioidts, A. Cunningham (Crit. Rev. vol. ii, p. 45 and in a footnote states: - -"A. Cunningham discovered this plant first, and first gave it a name .... Bearing in mind the haphazard circumstances under which Eucalyptus names were sometimes promulgated in the early days, the name is tenable, and doubtless would have been adopted by Mr. Baker, had he known it. To Mr. Baker belongs the credit of the first description of this species, and, under the circumstances, I am in doubt as to whether the name viridis should not be adopted."

ESSENTIAL OIL.-Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were obtained from Girilambone, N.S.W., in January, 1900. The yield of oil was 1.1 per cent. The crude oil was of a light orange-brown colour, and had an odour indicating the presence of aroma-dendral. Pinene was present, but phellandrene was absent. Cineol was detected, about 10 per cent, of that constituent being present in the crude oil. Aromadendral was determined in the higher boiling portions, and its presence was also indicated by the left rotation of the crude oil being greater than that of the first fraction. The amount of esters was not large.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 150 C. = 0.9006; rotation aD - 8.1°; refractive index at 200 - 1.4771, and was soluble in 2 volumes 80 per cent, alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 5.7.

On rectification, 2 per cent, distilled below 167° C. (corr.). Between 167-1830, 78 per cent, distilled; between 183-2340, 11 per cent, came over, and between 234-2550, 4 per cent, distilled. These. fractions gave the following results: -

These figures indicate that this "Mallee" is closely associated with the group of typical "Boxes," as E. hemiphloia.

This sample of oil had been stored in the dark, and in September, 1919, was again analysed. Some alteration is apparent, such as a diminution in the optical activity, a slight increase in specific gravity, and perhaps a slight increase in cineol. 80 per cent, distilled below 1900 C. The crude oil and the rectified portion gave the following results: -

The cineol was determined by the resorcmol method in the rectified portion; when calculated for the crude oil the result was 38 per cent. A qualitative determination with phosphoric acid indicated about 10 to 15 per cent. of cineol in the fraction, or about 12 per cent, in the original oil. A considerable amount of constituents, other than cineol, were thus absorbed by the resorcinol, and this result appears to be characteristic with oils of this group.