(F.v.M., Herb.; R.T.B., Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., 1900, p. 669.) (Syn. E. resinifera, Sm. var. grandiflora, Benth., B.FL, iii, 246.),

Mahogany

Systematic. - A very tall tree, with a red, stringy bark. Abnormal leaves of the same shape as the mature ones. Normal leaves broadly lanceolate, 6 to 9 inches long, shining above, pale underneath, of a thick texture; venation indistinct, lateral veins numerous, inclining to transverse, more prominent on the under side of the leaf, intramarginal vein close to the edge; petiole 2 inches long, channelled above. Oil glands quite obscured. Umbels axillary, peduncle flattened, about inch long, bearing mostly seven flowers. Calyx pyriform, angular, pedicel short, 2 to 3 lines long ; operculum rather larger than the calyx, hemispherical, either shortly acuminate or rostrate.

Fruit. - Hemispherical to turbinate, angular at the base ; valves prominently exserted ; rim up to 1 1/2 lines broad; 8 lines in diameter, and 9 lines in length.

The fruits arc characteristic, the flat rim having the appearance of protruding from the capsule for nearly 1/8 of an inch. Easily determined by the figure here given.

Habitat. Manly; Smith Coast district of New South Wales.

REMARKS. The tree as stated above, was placed by Bentham (loc. cit.) as a variety of E. resinifera of Smith, and although the venation and the shape of the leaves of the two trees resemble each other, the fruits and timber are distinct and quite constant, and it is on these characters that the species was separated from E. resinifera, Sm.

ESSENTIAL OIL. - Leaves and terminal branchlets for distillation were obtained from Currawang Creek, N.S.W., in July, 1898. The yield of oil was 0.37 per cent. The crude oil was of a reddish-brown colour, and had an odour resembling the pinene-cineol oils generally. Volatile aldehydes were pronounced, in which valeraldehyde occurred. Pinene was the chief terpene, and phellandrene was absent. Cineol was present in some quantity, and esters also. The higher boiling portion consisted largely of the sesquiterpene.

The crude oil had specific gravity at 15o C. = 0.9282 ; rotation aD+ 7.09°, refractive index at 20o = 1.4678, and was soluble in 1 1/2 volumes 70 per cent, alcohol. The saponification number for the esters and free acid was 24.4 per cent

On rectification, 2 per cent. distilled below 169o C. (corr.). Between 169-183o, 78 per cent. distilled; between 183-245o, 10 per cent. came over; and between 245-262o, 4 per cent. distilled. These fractions gave the following results: -

The cineol was determined by the phosphoric acid method in the first fraction; 43 per cent, of that constituent was present, indicating about 35 per cent. in the original oil (O.M.).

The above sample had been stored in the dark, and in August, 1919, twenty-one years afterwards, was again analysed. It had increased in cineol content to quite a considerable extent. The physical characters are also in agreement with that result. The crude oil and the rectified portion gave the following results. 86 per cent, distilled below 190° C.:-

The cineol was determined by the resorcinol method and calculated lor the crude oil; the result was 72 per cent. By the rapid phosphoric acid method it was 50 per cent. when calculated for the crude oil.