ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 241 



in many of the hard woods much used in the arts, and which wc are now com- 

 pelled to import from localities more favored in this respect. The aggregate 

 amount annually sent out of the State for the purchase of this material could 

 by proper foresight and enterprise, in a few years, bo retained within our 

 borders, and here expended in the establishing of new industries pertaining to 

 the very material, the manufacture of which in other portions of the Union 

 employs large communities, to whose support we are now contributing. 



As in Germany, to anticipate a future need, our own Sequoia semper vir ens or 

 Redn'ood tree is extensively cultivated, so here by the cultivation of the Aus- 

 tralian Eucalypti, we can in a few years supply a positive want, and reap the 

 advantages above indicated.* 



Professor Bolander said that a familiar instance of the appUca- 

 bility of trees in tempering dimate might be noticed when coming 

 from the eastern side of the valley towards Sacramento and Stock- 

 ton. While in the valley the wind was hot and uncomfortable, on 

 nearing Sacramento or Stockton, the traveler became conscious of 

 a refreshing coolness, caused by the existence of trees at those 

 places. He had put a thermometer in the open air on a warm day, 

 and then placed it on the green leaves of a tree, and it showed a 

 difference of eighteen or twenty degrees. If our grain fields were 

 surrounded by trees they would be greatly benefited. 



Professor Davidson said that this fact was recognized in Iowa, 

 where they set aside one day in the year to plant trees, generally 

 the 1st of May ; it was estimated that upwards of one million trees 

 had already been set out. 



Dr. Stout testified to the hardihood of the Eucalyptus. He also 

 said that parasites did not attack it, on account of the odor. 

 As to the medicinal qualities of the tree, he had taken a quantity 

 of the leaves and made cigarettes of them, and had constructed 

 also a respirator so that the fumes from the leaves might be inhaled, 

 and had found it of great assistance in cases of sore throat and 

 chronic asthma. For the latter, particularly, it was very effective, 

 and will afford ready relief in case of an acute attack. He had 

 strewn the dried leaves in the basement of houses where there were 

 bad odors, and had found it almost as useful as carbolic acid. 



Professor Bolander said that the idea was erroneous that the 

 Eucalyptus was fragile and would not stand. The plant should be 



* Tweuty-fivo hundred copies of this article were published in pamphlet form and dis- 

 tributed gratuitously. 



