(H.D. & J.H.M., Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1895, p. 798.) Blackbutt, Peppermint, Cut Tail.

Systematic. - A tall tree, the bark of which resembles closely that of E. obliqua, the principal difference between the two trees in this respect consisting in the fact that the tops and branches of "Cut-tail" are smooth, while those of E. obliqua are the reverse. Abnormal leaves, ovate-lanceolate; the veining of the underside prominent; the twigs rusty, tuberculate, like E. amygdalina, and some other species. Normal leaves lanceolate, and, when fully grown, narrow-lanceolate, often more or less ovate-lanceolate, and always more or less attenuate. They are rather chartaceous, smooth, and shining. The chief characteristic of the buds is the shortly acuminate operculum, which is much accentuated in dried specimens.

Fruit. - Pear-shaped on a slender pedicel; rim domed; valves somewhat exserted, three-celled, as far as seen; diameter 2 1/2 to nearly 3 lines.

This is a very characteristic fruit and when known easily distinguished from the other species. The fruits may be said to somewhat resemble those of E. dives, Schau.; otherwise the species presents no difficulties in determination. It is in no way allied with E. vitrea, R.T.B. It differs from that of E. obliqua in being more or less conical, while that of E. obliqua is sub-cylindrical. E. regnans has a truncate or countersunk rim.

Habitat. - Clyde district, New South Wales; Victoria.

REMARKS. The authors of this species are inclined to regard it as not specifically different from E. regnans, of Mueller (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W.. 1899, p. 460). We, however, prefer to consider these two "Eucalypts as distinct, for Mueller's description of the latter species in Report Acclm. Soc, Vict., No. 1870, is so very clear and precise that he could hardly have confounded the material of E. fastigata when describing E. regnans. The tree is tall, with a fibrous bark, and has an exceedingly fissile timber, which is in much request locally, and is reputed to be very durable in the ground. It does not occur in Tasmania, where E. regnans is to be found, and which has there a smooth bark as well as in Victoria.

ESSENTIAL OIL. - Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were obtained from Monga, N.S.W., in September, 1898. The yield of oil was 0.12 per cent. The crude oil was red in colour, and had rather an unpleasant odour. It consisted principally of pinene, phellandrene, cineol, and crystallised eudesmol. That the pinene was dextro-rotatory is indicated by the first fraction having a rotation to the right, while the second fraction, which contained most of the phellandrene, was lævo-rotatory. Cineol was present in small amount, about 8 or 10 per cent. in the crude oil. Eudesmol was present in quantity in the third fraction, the oil crystahising solid in the receiver soon after distillation.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 150 C. = 0.9001; refractive index at 200 = 1.4816, and was soluble in 5 volumes 80 per cent. alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 14.9,

On rectification, 2 per cent, distilled below 1610 C. (corr.). Between 161-1720, 42 per cent, distilled; between 172-2330, 20 per cent, came over, and between 233-2860, 22 per cent, distilled. These fractions gave the following results: -

Material for distillation was also obtained from Delegate Mountain, N.S.W., in February, 1899. The oil was in agreement with the above in colour, odour, and constituents; consisting largely of pinene, phellandrene, and sesquiterpene, with some eudesmol. The excess of phellandrene over the pinene at this time of the year, caused the oil to have a higher lævo-rotation, and it had, perhaps, a corresponding decrease in cineol. The eudesmol was present in about the same amount as in the oil from Monga, the fraction crystallising solid soon after distillation. There was but little difference in the two oils, either in distillation figures or in other characters, beyond the increase in phellandrene.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 150 C. = 0.8925; and was insoluble in 10 volumes 80 per cent. alcohol. The saponification number was 12.4.

The above samples were mixed together and stored in the dark, and in August, 1919, the oil was again analysed. Very little alteration had taken place during the twenty years it had been kept, and 70 per cent, distilled below 1900 C.

The cineol was determined by the resorcinol method in the rectified portion; when calculated for the crude oil the result was 10 per cent,