I.—THE EUCALYPTUS TREES 
AND ALLIED PLANTS. 
THE so-called Gum-trees constitute the main timber-vegetation of 
the whole Australian continent. From among them the “ Blue 
Gum-tree” has been chosen in first instance for consideration, 
because itis widely distributed through several districts of the 
colony of Victoria, more extensively cultivated than any other 
Eucalypt, and thus within easy reach of observation in almost 
every locality. The vernacular name of Gum-trees for the Euca- 
lypts is as unaptly given as that of most others of our native 
plants, on which popular appellations have been bestowed. In- 
deed our Wattles might far more appropriately be called Gum- 
trees, than the Eucalypts, because the former exude a real gum 
(in the chemical meaning of the word) ; whereas the main exu- 
dation from the stems and branches of all Eucalypts hardens to 
a kino-like substance, contains a large proportion of a particular 
tannin (kino-tannic acid), and is to a great extent or entirely 
soluble in alcohol, thus very different from genuine gum. But 
the Hucalyptus-kino is soluble in boiling water, and therefore 
neither a truly resinous but an extractive substance. This kino 
is valuable not less as a medicinal drug than as a material for 
tanning and dyeing ; hence it has become a remunerative article 
for trade and export. 
The Blue Gum-tree was already rendered known in the year 
1792, when it was first noticed by La Billardiére, the naturalist 
of the expedition, which under Admiral D’Entrecasteaux was 
sent in search of the missing ships of Count Lapérouse. The 
French Explorers discovered the tree then near the locality, 
where subsequently Hobartown was built. La Billardiére gave 
in 1799 to this Eucalyptus the specific name H. globulus, in 
allusion to the button-shaped form of the fruit; but the genus 
Kucalyptus was founded already in 1788 on the Stringybark- 
tree, specimens of which were gathered in Captain Cook’s last 
