412 



and upwards of 1400 species. Examples Chamjelaucium, Calytrix, 

 Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Metrosideros, Eucalyptus, Myrtus, Psidium, 

 Eugenia, Caryophyllus, Barringtonia, Gustavia, Lecythis, Bertholletia. 

 867. Many of the plants of the order yield an aromatic volatile oil. 

 This is particularly the case with those having pellucid dots in their 

 leaves. Many yield edible fruits, others furnish astringent and saccha- 

 rine substances. The leaves of some species of Leptospermum and 

 Melaleuca are used as tea in Australia. The leaves of Melaleuca minor 

 (Cajuputi of some), a native of the Moluccas, yield the volatile oil of 

 Cajeput. It is a very liquid oil, of a grass-green colour, having a 

 pungent camphoraceous odour, and capable of dissolving caoutchouc. 

 It is used medicinally as a stimulant and antispasmodic. Species of 

 Eucalyptus constitute the gigantic gum-trees of Australia, some of 

 which attain a height of two hundred feet. They are remarkable for 

 their operculate calyx, which may be considered as formed by several 

 jointed leaves (like those of the orange), united throughout, and separ- 

 ating at the articulation in the form of a lid (^[ 366). Their bark also 

 separates remarkably in layers. They yield an astringent matter, which 

 has been used for tanning. Eucalyptus resinifera, Brown Gum-tree of 

 New Holland, furnishes Botany-Bay Kino, an astringent resinous-like 

 substance, which exudes in the form of red juice from incisions in the 

 bark. A single tree will yield sixty gallons. E. mannifera gives a sac- 

 charine exudation resembling manna. A saccharine substance, mixed 

 with ceUular hairs, which arise from a cup-like body, has been sent 

 to this country by Mr. Cay, found upon the leaves of E. dumosa. 

 It is called Layurp by the natives, and is thought by Mr. Newport 

 to be the produce of an insect of the tribe Coccidse. The wood of 

 many species of Metrosideros is hard and dark-coloured. The flower- 

 buds of Caryophyllus aromaticus (Eugenia caryophyllata), a tree which 

 was originally a native of the Moluccas, but is now cultivated in the 

 East and West Indies, constitute the Cloves of commerce. They have 

 the form of a nail, and, when examined, are seen to consist of the tubu- 

 lar calyx with a roundish projection formed by the unopened petals. 

 They contain a volatile oil, associated with resinous, gummy, and 

 astringent matter. The oil is aromatic and acrid, and has been used 

 as a condiment and a stimulant carminative. Pimento, Allspice, or 

 Jamaica Pepper, is the berried fruit of Eugenia Pimenta (Myrtus 

 Pimento), a tree which is a native of the West Indies and Mexico. 

 The fruit has an aromatic odour, and its taste combines that of cinna- 

 mon, nutmeg, and cloves; hence the name Allspice. It contains 

 an acrid volatile oil, to which its properties are due. Medicinally, 

 Pimento is sometimes employed as a stimulant and carminative. The 

 fruit of Eugenia acris is used for Pimento. Among the pulpy edible 

 fruits of the order may be noticed Guavas and Eose-apples. The 

 former are the produce of various species of Psidium, such as P. pyri- 



