Range - Setis

asal parts of the large branches, and the upper part is less “clean”; a good deal of
the smaller “ribbons” of old bark clings to the branches, or is caught in the forks of
the branches, and the tree often resembles a somewhat ragged specimen of E.
viminalis much more than it does the noble regnans, as seen in the primeval forest.
So much do the local conditions and environment alter the appearance and character
of a tree.
In answer to a specific question as to any exceptional amount and character of
rough bark in E. regnans, I received the following reply:—“I do not know of
anything that could be called Stringybark regnans or anything resembling a
Stringybark form in E. regnans.
Bark (E. fastigata).—In defining the type it was stated to be to all intents and
purposes a Stringybark. The tops of the trunks, and also, as a rule, the branches, are
smooth.
Fruits (E. regnans).—Pear-shaped, truncate, valves not exsert. The fruit has a
somewhat broad reddish disc, resembling that of E. haemastoma. Sometimes the
disc is oblique, and when the fruit is not contracted at the orifice, it bears a striking
resemblance to E. obliqua, but it is smaller.
Fruits (E. fastigata).—Pear-shaped, domed, valves sometimes much exsert. The
rather prominent domed disc with the exsert valves appears to be a fairly constant
character of the species. It appears to be the only character which can be safely used
to separate it from E. regnans on herbarium specimens. But see the remarks at p.,
under “Illustrations.” The domed character of the fruit is constant in cultivated
specimens.
E. regnans is by far the commoner species in Victoria, and E. fastigata in New
South Wales. The latter species also occurs in north-eastern Victoria, and I strongly
suspect that E. regnans will be found in the extreme south of New South Wales,
e.g., in the Delegate district. I have some specimens attributed to this species, but
they are not satisfactory.
2. With E. obliqua L'Herit.
The two species closely resemble each other in their fibrous barks, and they often
occur in similar localities. In E. fastigata the branches are smooth, and in E. obliqua
the reverse is the case. Mr. Hopkins, speaking of north-eastern Victoria, says that
the timber of E. fastigata resembles that of the mountain or highland variety of
Messmate (E. obliqua) (this has already been stated in describing the type), but is
more free from gum-veins, and that it is a very useful timber for all builders’ works.
E. obliqua is figured at Plate 6, Part II, and in the coarseness of the juvenile foliage
and in its leaf-obliquity generally, and in its fruits, it can be readily seen that the two
species are very different.