PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF EUCALYPTS GROWN IN AMERICA. 57 



appearance, but frequently attaining- a height there of over 100 feet and a 

 diameter of 3 feet. The grayish or brownish bark of the entire trunk 

 is commonly rough, wrinkled, and persistent; that of the upper branches 

 smooth and cream-colored or reddish. (PL XVI.) 



The leaves are somewhat leathery, varying in shape from oval to 

 slender lance-shaped. They are paler beneath and frequently mottled 

 yellowish and green or red. The veins are numerous and spread like 

 the parts of a feather, giving the leaves quite a characteristic appear- 

 ance. The young leaves when torn asunder show the presence of a 

 rubber-like fluid by the line glutinous threads that are drawn out. 

 The bloom is very profuse from an early age. The flowers are white 

 or creamy in color, above the average in size, in rather open, flat- 

 topped clusters. They contain a large amount of nectar and are con- 

 sequently much visited by bees. The large seed cases are urn-shaped 

 or somewhat egg-shaped, on slender, slightly flattened stems, quite 

 different in appearance from those of any other Eucalypts. The seed- 

 lings develop at an early age leaves similar to those of the adult tree. 

 (See PI. LV; PI. LXXXI, b.) 



Climatic requirements. — Comparatively little is known of the parts 

 of America to which Bloodwood is adapted. It does well near the 

 coast, but does not thrive in the dry, hot interior valleys. Judging 

 from its habitat in Australia, it can not be expected to grow thriftily 

 far in the interior, nor where heavy frosts occur. 



Uses. — This tree furnishes a wood that is quite easily worked when 

 fresh, but the wood when dry is very hard. It is very durable under- 

 ground and is said to be resistant to white ants, this quality being due to 

 the large amount of kino it contains. Fence posts of it are reported to 

 have lasted forty years in Australia. Mr. Maiden says of the timber: 

 'For posts in the ground, and for use in culverts, it is all but imper- 

 ishable." The presence of kino renders the timber unsuitable for 

 lumber, and causes it to make poor fuel, but renders it more valuable 

 for paving, for posts, and for other uses in underground situations. It 

 is one of the sources of the kino of commerce. 



Eucalyptus corynocalyx. 

 Sugar Gum. 



Characteristics. — The tree attains a fair size and is commonly sym- 

 metrical and erect. (PI. XVII.) [tsgrowth isquite rapid from an early 

 age. The usual height is 50 to 100 feet, and in Australia the trunk is said 

 to often attain a diameter of 5 or feet. As a rule the trunk is straight 

 with only a slight taper. The bark is left smooth by the continuous 

 flaking off of patches or strips. The bark of the main stem is usually a 

 deep cream color, that of the branches darker before shedding, and of 

 the young twigs quite red. 



