CALTCIFIOR^. 549 



as a smce, and are occasionally imported into tliis country. They are very 

 inferior to ordinary cloves. 



Eucalyptus. — E. resinifera, the Iron Bark-tree, a native of Austi-alia and 

 Tan Diemen's Land, yields on incision an astringent substance, called 

 Botany Bay Kino. This kino contains a peculiar principle called Eucalyptin. 

 It has been employed in diarrhoea. Other species yield a similar astringent 

 substance. The leaves of E. mannifera and other species natives of Australia 

 spontaneously exude a saccharine sttbstance resembling manna, hence this 

 secretion is commonly termed Australian Manna. It is said to drop from 

 tlie trees in pieces ; these are sometimes as large as an almond. The secre- 

 tions of the Eucalypti are commonly of a gummy nature, and hence they are 

 called Gum-trees in New HoUand. The leaves of E. citriodora, E. amygdalin us, 

 and other species, yield by distillation volatile oils, some of which have been 

 used in perfumery. The bark of some of them separates in fibrous layers, 

 which has occasioned them to te also caUed Stringy-bark trees or Stringy- 

 bark Gum-trees. They are sometimes of a prodigious heisht— 200 feet or 

 more, and 10 or 15 feet in diameter, the trunks being destitute of branches 

 to a height of from 100 to 200 feet. The bark of E. obUqua and some other 

 species has been reported by Dr. Mueller, of Victoria, as useful for making 

 good packing and printing paper. Good writing paper may also be made 

 from the bark of E. obUqua. 



Eugenia. — E. Pimenta, the Common Allspice. —The dried tinripe fruit is 

 known imderthe names of Pimento or Jamaica Pepper, or more commonly as 

 ^4 Hspice (from its flavour combining that of Cinnamon, Cloves, and Xutmegs). 

 It is used as a spice, and in medicine in similar cases to cloves. Its properties 

 ai'e chiefly due to the presence of a volatile oil. The Rose-Apples of the 

 Ea~t, which are much esteemed as dessert fruits, are the produce of 

 various species of Eugenia; the more important are— ^. malaccensis, and 

 E.jamhos. In Brazil, the fruit of E. cauliflora, the Jabuticaba, is also much 

 esteemed. The leaves of E. ugni are used in Chili as a substitute for Para- 

 guay Tea. The plant has been introduced into this country on accoinit of 

 its fruit, but not vrith any great success. 



Glaphyria nit id a is called by the Malays the Tree of Long Life. It is also 

 known as the Tea Plant, from its leaves being used as tea at Bencoolen. 



Lepfosperrnum.— The leaves of L. scoparium and Z, Thea are used in the 

 Australian colonies as a substititte for tea. 



Melaleuca minor or Cajuputi.— The leaves when allowed to stand so as to 

 undergo a species of fermentation , and then distilled with water, yield a volatile 

 oil of a limpid nature and light gi-een colour, called Cajuput Oil. This was 

 formerly much employed as a remedy in cholera, but -without any very evident 

 success. It has been used internally as a diffusible stimulant, antispasmodic, 

 and diaphoretic ; and externally, when mixed ■\\ith olive oil, or dissolved in 

 rectified spirit, as a stimulant embrocation in rheumatism, netiralgia, kc. 

 ThU oil has the propeixy of dissolving caoutchouc. In Australia, the leaves 

 of M. scoparia and J/. genistifoHa are used as substitutes for tea. 



Metrosideros. — M. scandens. the Aka of Xew Zealand, and other species, 

 afford valuable timber. The clubs and weapons of the South Sea Islanders 

 are made from species of this gentis. 



Myrtus communis, the Common Myrtle.— The dried flower-biids, and the 

 xinripe fruit, were used as spices hj the ancients, and are still so employed 

 in Tuscany. By distillation witli water, the flowers form a very agreeable 

 perfume, known in France as Eau d'Ange. 



Psidiu?u.~Yarious species or varietie-^ of this genus yield excellent dessert 

 fruits, which are commonly known under the name of Guavas. The more 

 important are. P. pyriferum, P. pomi/erum, and P. Cattleyanum. The bark 

 of P. pyriferum, and that of P. pomi/erum, both of wiiich are natives of 

 India, possess astringent properties. 



Punica Granatum, the Pomegranate, is repeatedly referred t<) in the Bible. 

 It is the rimmon of the Bible, and the rooman of the Arabs. This plant is by 

 s<jme systematists regarded as the type of a distinct order, which is named 

 Granatece. The leaves, the flowers, and the fruit were all used by the 

 ancients for their astringent properties, and the juice of the fruit in the 

 formation of cooling drinks, on accotmt of its acidulous taste. The 



