8 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



phenomena of plants which have hitherto either 

 been scattered through journals, or presented in the 

 pages of scientific books such as the general public 

 do not take the trouble to read. By this means we 

 have flattered ourselves that we may possibly in- 

 fluence some to take a greater interest in botanical 

 subjects, and in the phenomena of plant life, than 

 they had previously done. 



It is a fact worth remembering that vegetation 

 may be conducive to human health and comfort in 

 destroying malaria in pestilential districts. The 

 planting of any " gross feeder " in such places would 

 be beneficial, and the claims which have been ad- 

 vanced on behalf of the Australian gum-tree, might, 

 to a certain extent, be urged on behalf of many 

 other trees. Experience has proved that the planting 

 of any trees which will thrive well and flourish in 

 malarious places, at once produces a marked change 

 for the better, and hygienic plantations need not to 

 be confined to the Eucalyptus. However this may 

 be, it is interesting to note how speedily Eucalyptus 

 globulus has found its way into the public news- 

 papers, what patronage it has received in despite of 

 its binomial appellation, and how its cultivation is 

 becoming an article of faith and practice in Europe, 

 Asia, and America, from Rome to Berlin, and from 

 Calcutta to California. There are but few instances 

 on record of a similar vegetable success. 



