Proceedings of the Ro//al Societij of Vicloria. 127 



was the first gentleman in this colony who had laljoured in 

 that direction. With reference to the height of trees, Mr. 

 Howitt himself was a reliable authority, and had given the 

 height of one tree at 415 feet. Over-statements had been 

 made, but it should be remembered that it was not always 

 possible to verify these statements. The first great error in 

 over reckoning was made by Mr. Clyne, who had given the 

 height of a eucalypt at 480 feet. He did not think that 

 that gentleman had intended to make a mis-statement, hut 

 that it was an error of memory, and the height really was 

 880 feet. There was no doubt that the largest eucalypts 

 were no longer in existence. Observations that he had 

 himself made clearly proved the existence of trees a good 

 deal over 200 feet in height, and he did not think it an 

 exaggeration to say that eucalyjits sometimes grew to the 

 height of nearly 400 feet. Authors could not be responsible 

 for the reports given in tlieir writings, when the authority 

 from whence they were obtained was quoted. It should also 

 be remembered that it was not always easy to get a good 

 base line for observations, and that it was much more diffi- 

 cult to measure our straggling eucalypts than the straight 

 upright Californian pines. Another question of interest was 

 the dispute going on in Europe, as to the value of eucalyptus 

 honey. The question had arisen — Whether eucalyptus 

 honey, containing to some extent eucalyptus oil, could be 

 used for medicinal purposes ? The honey was somewhat 

 different to the honey made by domestic bees, and it was 

 supposed that it was deposited in the hollow trees by native 

 bees, or swarms of domestic bees which had gone astray. 

 This honey did not readily become opaque, and might 

 possibly be utilised as he had indicated. Finally, he con- 

 gratulated Mr. Howitt on the success which had attended his 

 long scientific investigations, and as he seemed as hale and 

 hearty as ever, he hoped he might live a long time into the 

 next century to carry these observations out. 



Mr. White said he was very glad indeed that the question 

 of the height of the eucal3"pts had been mentioned. A few 

 months ago, during the last Exhibition, these big trees had 

 been dismissed in a shower of ridicule, as ghosts. He quite 

 agreed with the Baron, that these trees might have existed. 

 One of the largest ever referred to was given on his author- 

 ity, as having been measured by one of his assistants with a 

 tape line, and found to be over 400 feet. He would like to 

 have the Baron's statement as to that tree. It was said that 



