(R.T.B., Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., 1901, p. 687, t. XLIV.) Stringybark, White Mahogany.

Systematic. - A tall tree, attaining sometimes a height of 100 feet, with a dark-coloured stringy bark. Abnormal leaves opposite, sessile, cordate, ovate, acuminate, thin, pale-coloured on the underside; venation more pronounced on the underside, upper surface shining; over 3 inches broad, and under 6 inches long. Normal leaves lanceolate, falcate, large, up to 9 inches long and 1 1/2 inch broad, pale-coloured on both sides, coriaceous; venation distinct, lateral veins spreading, oblique; intramarginal vein removed from the edge. Flowers on short axillary peduncles, six to nine in the umbel. Calyx 1 line long, on a pedicel about 2 lines long; operculum hemispherical, shortly acuminate.

Fruit.-In the early stage, pilular and under 3 lines in diameter, the rim and valves sunk, like E. acmenioides and E. carnea, but in the mature stage hemispherical, or inclined to be pear-shaped, with a diameter of 5 lines, and a very thick red, truncate or slightly domed rim, when the fruits much resemble those of E. hæmastoma and E. coriacea.

Habitat. - The Coast district north from Sydney, N S.W.

REMARKS. The early fruits of this species have a remarkable resemblance to those of E;". acmenioides, Schau., in fact, so much so, that in herbarium material, the two very probably on this character have been confounded in the past. The two species differ, however, considerably in the shape, texture, colour, and venation of the leaves, as well as in the mature fruits, which have a broad rim. E. acmenioides, Schau., has thin leaves, with a pale under-surface, which undoubtedly resemble those of Acmena (Eugenia as now understood), but those of E. umbra are of a uniform colour on both sides, longer and broader, and with a very marked venation much like that of E. patentinervis, R.T.B. The abnormal leaves are also quite distinct from those of E. acmenioides. The bark is lighter-coloured.

ESSENTIAL OIL. - Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were obtained at Gosford, N.S.W., in August, 1899. The yield of oil was 0.6 per cent. The crude oil was of a light amber colour, and had an odour resembling those of the pinene-cineol class generally. Pinene was present in quantity, but phellandrene was absent. Cineol was also a pronounced constituent. The higher boiling portions consisted largely of the sesquiterpene, and eudesmol was not detected. Although resembling in general characters the oil of E. carnea, yet it contained much less ester and considerably more cineol, and it thus appears that these two trees are not identical species.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 15° C. - 0.8970 ; rotation aD + 18.7°; refractive index at 20o = 1.4639, and was soluble in 5 volumes 80 per cent, alcohol. The saponification number for the' esters and free acid was 7.1.

On rectification, 2 per cent. distilled below 162o C. (corr.). Between and between 193-265o, 2 per cent, distilled. The two first fractions gave the following; results :-

162-172°; 71 per cent. distilled; between 172-193o, 20 per cent. came over;

The cineol was determined by the phosphoric acid method in the portion distilling below 193o. The result was 31 per cent., indicating about 28 per cent, in the original oil (O.M.).

The above sample was stored in the dark, and in December, 1919, was again analysed. Very little alteration had taken place during the twenty years the oil had been kept. 90 per cent. distilled below 193o. The crude oil and the rectified portion gave the following results :-

The cineol was determined by the resorcinol method in the portion distilling below 193o. When calculated for the original oil the result was 42 per cent. By the rapid phosphoric acid method it was 35 per cent. when calculated for the crude oil.