40 



EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS, Labill. 

 Blue Gum 



Native of Australia and Tasmania. Established at Cinchona, Jamaica, 



A tree of very rapid growth, and in Australia, attaining sometimes 

 1he extraordinary height of over 300 feet. Leaves on young shoots 

 are opposite, ovate, of a very pale greenish-blue colour ; on old 

 branches the leaves are not opposite, they are sabre-shaped, with the 

 stalk twisted so that they hang vertically. (Myrtaceae.) 



Leaves contain numerous oil-glands, from which a volatile oil is 

 obtained by distillation. 



It is to this oil that the fibrifugal properties of the plant are due. 

 The alcholic tincture is the best form in which to administer. It has 

 been successfully used in ague, periodic fever, palustral cachexia, ail- 

 ments of an atonic or anaemic character, as a stimulant and antispos- 

 modic, and in bronchitis. The leaves are used to dress wounds. 



" It can scarcely be doubted that this tree does produces a most 

 beneficial effect by destroying the fever- producing miasm of marshy 

 districts." (Bentley and Trimen.) 



This species is not suited to low elevations in Jamaica, but experi- 

 ments are being made to find species that will stand the climate, 

 and at the same time act beneficially in malarious districts. 



EUPATORIUM NERVOSUM, Sw. 

 Bitter Bush. 

 Native of Jamaica ^d Haiti. A perennial herb, 4 or 5 feet high; 

 leaves opposite, ovate^L to 3 inches long, dotted beneath with minute 

 glands ; flowers whitish. (Co?npositae.) 



An infusion of the leaves and tops, gathered after flowering has 

 commenced, is " regarded as efficacious in cholera, and also in typhus 

 and typhoid fevers, and in small-pox ; it is also reputed to be a good 

 cholagogue." (Bentley & Trimen.) 



EUPHORBIA PILULIFERA, Linn. 



Tropics. An annual weed ; leaves simple, pointed, ^ to 1 inch long ; 

 flowers minute; seeds 4-cornered. (Eupltorbiacece.) 



The whole plant is useful " in cases of asthma and bronchitis, to 

 relieve spasm, and promote free expectoration.' 5 (Dr. Henderson.) 



FEVER GRASS. See Andropogon citratus. 



FIDDLE WOOD. Vitex umbrosa. 



FORSTERONIA FLORIBUNDA, G. Don. 



Milk Withe. 

 Native of Jamaica. A climbing shrub, leaves simple, 2 to 3 inches 

 long ; flowers small, whitish ; seeds nearly \ inch long with brownish 

 hairs. (Apocynece.) 



Stem yields caoutchouc, valued at ,3s-. 2d. per lb. See Bulletins 

 x, and xxi. 



