THE AUSTRALIAN FEVER-TREE. 



347 



foliage. " Fever-tree " is the name given at Valencia, Spain, to the 

 eucalyptus-trees planted there in 1860. The title is due to the fever- 

 dispelling properties which the Eucalyptus possesses. In point of fact, 

 those regions where this beautiful tree is indigenous, and where it 

 grows into forests, enjoy a very healthy climate. But, further, we 

 have evidence that the planting of the Eacalypttts in marshy locali- 

 ties counteracts paludal fever. This has been shown by experience at 

 the Cape, in tlie provinces of Cadiz, Seville, Cordova, Valencia, and 

 Barcelona ; in Corsica, and in Algeria. At Pardock, distant a fev/ 

 miles from the city of Algiers, there was a fai-m on the banks of the 

 Hamyse which was noted for its fevers, so that people died there 

 " like flies," so deadly was the atmosphere. In the spring of the year 

 1867, 1,300 eucalyptus-trees were planted there, and even in July of 

 the same year tlie month in which the fever is wont to be most viru- 

 lent there was not a single case of disease, althougli the trees were 

 then only nine feet in height ; and the place has been free from fever 

 ever since. In the vicinity of Constantine, the farm Ben Machydlin 

 was in the like bad repute ; all around it w^ere swamps that never were 

 dry, not even in the hottest summers. Still, in five years this great 

 morass was completely dried by the planting of 14,000 eucalyptus- 

 trees, and the health of the inhabitants has ever since been excellent. 

 So Gue, near Constantine, once a place infested by fever, is now salu- 

 brious and free from fever, having been surrounded with a plantation 

 of Eucalypti. The Abbe Felix Charmetan states that, at Maison 

 Carree, near Harrasch, the eucalyptus-plantations have rendered the 

 use of quinine unnecessary. Finally, the same is said in regard to 

 Cuba and Mexico. In the department of Var, Southern France, there 

 is a railway-station situate in a very insalubrious locality. The place 

 has become perfectly healthy since forty eucalyptus-trees were planted 

 there. 



These facts justify the hope that the Eucalyptus will yet free the 

 Roman Campagna of its fever, and Garibaldi, who is now agitating 

 the question of restoring to cultivation that wilderness, would perhaps 

 do well to visit the Trappists of Tre Fontane, and acquaint them with 

 his intentions. 



The Eucalyptus has, in sundry instances, proved to be advan- 

 tageous as a remedy for periodic fevers, and it furthermore possesses 

 disinfecting as well as antiseptic properties. Distillation of the leaves 

 and other parts of the tree produces an essential oil, the physiological 

 effects of which upon both the sick and the well have been cai'efullj' 

 studied by Dr. Gimbert. 



The hardiness of the Eucalyptus globulus is still in dispute. It is 

 asserted that the tree cannot endure the severity of our northern win- 

 ters, and that it can hardly thiive save in a climate like that of its 

 native habitat Australia and Tasmania. In support of this view we 



