species, but E. cinerea is an example in which one common name is applied to the one species and not to several others, so that in this instance there can be no mistaking the tree locally, however much the botany may be in doubt.

W. H. Howitt's E. pulverulenta var. lanceolata, of Victoria, should now be E. Stuartiana, var. cordata, R.T.B. et H.G.S. The leaves of this variety resemble somewhat the lanceolate ones of those of E. cinerea, but the trees also differ in inflorescence, as Howitt's tree has constantly from five to seven flowers in the umbel, and a slightly more conically shaped fruit. Probably Bentham (B. Fl. iii., p. 239) had specimens of this tree before him when describing E. cinerea, F.v.M., as he records (loc. cit.) the number of flowers in that species as three to seven. It is quite a distinct tree from the N.S.W. E. cinerea, which only occasionally has lanceolate leaves, and under these circumstances I think Howitt's variety should stand.

In conclusion, I can only add that my investigations fully confirm Bentham's classification (founded on type specimens) of these species.

The record of E. cordata as occurring in N.S.W. cannot stand, as it is the true E. pulverulenta of Sims that should be enumerated for this State, whilst E. cinerea, although closely connected with both, has yet such marked specific characters as to warrant its ranking as a species as determined by Bentham.

I, think, also, that science, as well as systematic and economic botany, will be better served by such a classification, as it quite removes any debatable synonymy.

RANGE OF SPECIES.

TASMANIA.-E. cordata, Labill.-South-eastern littoral
region of Tasmania: -D'Entrecasteaux's Channel,
F.v.M.; Huon River, J. D. Hooker; Recherche
Bay, Labillardiere.

VICTORIA.-E. Stuartiana, var. cordata, R.T.B. et
H.G.S.-Moa, Victoria, A. W. Howitt.

NEW SOUTH WALES.-E. cinerea, F.v.M.-Counties of
Argyle and Camden (more particularly), F.v.M.,
Woolls and others.

E. pulverulenta, Sims.-Cox's River, A. Cunningham; Cow Flat, near Bathurst, R.H.C.

THE

COMMON EUCALYPTUS FLORA OF TASMANIA AND NEW SOUTH WALES.

By J. H. MAIDEN, Government Botanist and Director, ⚫ Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

INTRODUCTORY.

If

In my Second Contribution towards a Flora of Mount Kosciusko" (Agric. Gaz. N.S. W., October, 1899), I have adduced evidence (supplementing that of Mueller), of a striking character, showing the remarkable similarity of the vegetation of that mountain to that of Tasmania. the matter be further enquired into, it will be found that this similarity by no means alone refers to the mountain in question, but extends to many others parts of New South Wales. In both States Eucalyptus trees are the prevailing and most characteristic vegetation over enormous areas, and I think it will be a profitable field for enquiry to compare the species of this genus in Tasmania and New South Wales. To this end I have carefully examined the types; some of them, of course, originating in Tasmania, and some of them in New South Wales. It is a matter of great importance to trace a species over as extended an area as possible, for there is some danger of looking upon a species only from the points of view of its occurrence in a particular State. The Eucalypts know no political divisions between States, although those divisions are convenient for records as to range. The study of types in such a large and widely distributed genus as Eucalyptus is of such importance that it should be frequently insisted upon, in order that we may not make our comparisons or deductions with false standards.

I would point out that there is still much room for fieldwork in regard to the Tasmanian Eucalypts, and I trust that local botanists and collectors will support Mr. Rodway in the efforts he is making to throw light upon the many forms which Tasmania possesses. The other States have to face similar problems.

A complete series of specimens of a Eucalypt includes, besides the ordinary mature foliage and buds, flowers and ripe fruits, young suckers (these are very important), and the more these young leaves differ from the mature ones, the more important it is to gather them. Then, again, we require characteristic specimens of the bark, and

also specimens of the wood, other than the sap-wood. Small axe-cut specimens answer all requirements.

The Tasmanian Eucalypts are of special interest, in that many of them were among the earliest of the genus to be described, E. obliqua, L'Heritier, being the first species, i.e., in 1788, although the identity of the plant was overlooked for many years.

There are but four species peculiar to Tasmania, viz. :E. Risdoni, Hook. f.

E. coccifera, Hook. f.
E. urnigera, Hook. f.
E. vernicosa, Hook. f.

A continuance of the activity in regard to the genus that has taken place during the last few years may reduce the list still further; perhaps Tasmanian botanists will endeavour to increase it, and also the general list of Tasmanian species.

The following table shows the list of Tasmanian Eucalypts recognised by Hooker, Spicer, Mueller, and myself, arranged for comparison.

Hooker, therefore, recognised 14 species, of which 3 have been suppressed, leaving 11; Spicer recognised 12

species, of which 1 has been suppressed, leaving 11; Müeller recognised 14 species, of which 2 have been suppressed, leaving 12; and in the present paper I submit that the Tasmanian Eucalyptus flora contains 16 species, including 3 (viz., linearis, virgata (?), Maideni) which are in no former list.

E. hæmastoma, Sm., has not been proved to exist in Tasmania so far.

The following species have, however, at various times, been looked upon as hæmastoma in Tasmania:

1. E. obliqua, L'Hérit. (See "Gum-topped Stringybark," p. 366).

2. E. amygdalina, Labill.

(See p. 356).

Some Deal Island specimens are interesting, and I hope we may have perfect material some day.

Although nearer to Victoria than to Tasmania, it is a moot point as to whether the flora cannot be claimed by Tasmania. In any case, the above plant about to be referred to should be looked for in islands undoubtedly Tasmanian, and on the mainland of Tasmania itself. Deal Island, Kent Group, is 50 miles S.E. of Wilson's Promontory, and much nearer Australia than Tasmania. (Vict. Nat., vii., 121.)

Müeller determined the Deal Island Eucalypt as E. amygdalina, Labill. (op. cit., 138).

The specimen is a strict form, with rather small, stiff, leaves.

Later on in the herbarium, Mueller marked these specimens E. hæmastoma, Sm. I am not, however, satisfied that this plant is not nearer to E. amygdalina, Labill. (as at first determined by Mueller), than to E. hæmastoma. It presents a good deal of resemblance to R. Gunn's No. 808 (E. amygdalina, Labill., var. nitida, Benth.). The borderland between several of the Renantheræ is so illdefined that I hesitate to follow Mueller in his E. hæmastoma determination, and in adding a species to the flora of Tasmania. It is to be hoped that these Bass' Straits islands may be further explored by botanists.

E. stellulata, Sieb., is a species one would expect to find in Tasmania. It grows in bleak mountain regions, and, in Southern New South Wales, associated with a number of plants, common to Tasmania and New South Wales.

E. alpina, Lindl., a Victorian species, frequenting a few mountain-tops, and allied to E. globulus, Labill., according to most authors, although I think its true affinity is rather with E. capitellata, Sm., should be looked for in Tasmania.