(F.v.M., in the Australian Journ. Phar., Oct., 1895.) Ribbon Box.

Systematic. - This tree was the Eucalyptus described by Baron von Mueller (1895), and has, therefore, only quite recently been botanically placed. Its other vernacular name is "Grey Box Tree" (Mueller). It is a tall tree, running up to over 150 feet in height, and 3 to 4 feet in diameter, with a symmetrically shaped head. Bark rough on the trunk at the base, but smooth towards and on the branches, and stained in places with kino exudations. Leaves variable in shape, on the younger trees broad to lanceolate, of the same colour on both sides, often oblique, the intramarginal vein removed from the edge; in mature trees the leaves are much narrower and more acuminate, lateral veins fairly distinct and oblique, petiole rather long and slender. Umbels axillary or terminal, few buds in the heads. Young buds somewhat like those of E. pilularis; operculum semi-ovate, hemispheric, often distinctly pointed.

Fruit.-Pilular; rim truncate; cells numerous; valves not exserted; about 1/4 inch in diameter.

The fruits are characteristic and easily distinguish the species, having more cells than obtains in almost any other species.

Habitat. - Cabramatta, Camden and along the coast of N.S.W. to Victoria, extending to South Australia.

REMARKS. Dedicated to Jostph Bosisto C.M.C. who investigated many of the products of the Eucalypts, especially their essentia] oils. The name "Red l' Box" has recently been given to it, but it is difficult to understand how it can apply, as the timber is quite pale, being yellowish-white to yellowish-pink; i1 is a beautiful timber tor working, having a close grain, and much resembles English Box It is very durable, both in the ground and for bridge decking, and altogether is a tree worthy of cultivation.

ESSENTIAL OIL. - Leaves and terminal branchless for distillation were obtained from Barber's Creek, New South Wales, in August, 1898. The yield of oil was 0.97 per cent. The crude oil was orange-brown in colour, and had an odour resembling those of the cineol-pinene class of Eucalyptus oils generally. Pinene was the principal terpene, and cineol was present in some quantity, but phellandrene was absent, and the esters quite small in amount. Terpineol was detected. The volatile aldehydes were pronounced. The fourth fraction consisted largely of the sesquiterpene.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 15° C. = 0.9078; rotation aD + 9.26°; refractive index at 200 = 1.4675, and was soluble in 5 volumes 70 per cent. alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 3.2.

On rectification, 2 per cent. distilled below 1670 C. (corr.). Between 167-1720, 41 per cent. distilled; between 172-183°, 40 per cent. came over; between 183-250°, 8 per cent. distilled, and between 250-265°, 3 per cent. distilled. These fractions crave the following results: -

The cineol, determined by the phosphoric acid method in the portion boiling below 183°, was 43 per cent. (O.M.); indicating about 35 per cent. in the crude oil at time of distillation.

The above sample had been stored in the dark, and in August, 1919, was again analysed. 84 per cent. distilled below 190° C. There was an apparent increase in the cineol content, as is indicated by the physical properties as well as by the quantitative determinations. The crude oil and the fraction gave the following results: -

The cineol was determined by the resorcinol method in the fraction and calculated for the crude oil; the result was 63 per cent. A determination by the rapid phosphoric acid method on the fraction and calculated for the crude oil gave 58 per cent, of cineol. The difference was largely due to the terpineol.