406 WOOD FOR WAR-SHIPS. [April 



system, according to the evidence of the breath, but readily increases 

 the temperature of the body by 2° Fahr. Abundant evidence is 

 adduced in this vohime of the therapeutic powers of a tree, to whose 

 leaves the Baron applies the scriptural quotation " of being for the 

 healing of the nations." Natives have by them, when steeped in 

 hot water, closed ugly abdominal spear wounds in six days ; pro- 

 fessors testify to their relieving of ague pains and acute rheumatism; 

 in some agues Eucalyptus oil is placed before quinine ; and it may 

 replace carbolic acid in surgical operations. 



The " Manna " Eucalypt, and the " AVater " Eucalypt, from whose 

 roots thirsty travellers are oft refreshed, are figured in this volume. 



WOOD FOR WAR-SHIPS. 



THE modern representatives of old Vulcan have not yet displaced 

 the forester as a supplier of war material. Our great armour- 

 plated turrets must have teak, or a similar wood, in some parts 

 of their holds. If our Indian supply cannot avail for our needs, 

 experience only points to Oldhamia Africana — African teak — one 

 largely imported into Liverpool, now unavailable at easy distances 

 on the shore, and the greenheart of British Guiana, as yet to be 

 made an article of merchandise. Our Clyde and London steel- 

 building shipyards, now working night and day on Government 

 contracts, alone emphasize the importance of this question. Here, 

 too, is a plea for such special Exhibitions as the late International 

 one ; and a very strong reason why permanent exhibits bearing on 

 this very topic, now warehoused for want of funds, should at once 

 be laid open for patient study. 



Indian teak has bulked into prominence within the last quarter 

 of a century. But the recognition of its money value almost dates 

 contemporaneously with its introduction into commerce, hence rise 

 in price and demand have almost been coincident. In Europe 

 the loads from 1874 to 1882 have ranged about 41,000, with one 

 glaring exception, whilst the price has kept at ,£13 per load, with 

 the same difference. But in India there have been much wider 

 oscillations. There the price has gradually precluded its use in 

 railway operations ; the Australian Jarrah becoming a rival. With 

 us, a steady price means a continued adaptation of the wood to new 

 uses. The growth of our commercial iron shipbuilding industry has, 

 doubtless, been one factor. And now the stern necessities of war 

 continue the demand, despite our long commercial depression. 

 While, then, the forests of this tree have had most telling inroads 



