64 TROPIC DAYS 



lines on which he might co-operate. The tree does 

 not need gloss for its perfect leaves or fragrance for 

 its flowers, nor need the quaUties of its pink wood of 

 wavering figure be extolled. With the exception of 

 the stamens, all parts of the inflorescence, inclusive 

 of the long pedicles, are milk-white, and the perfume 

 is as sweet and refreshing as an English spring posy. 

 Chemists tell us that the oil from the kernels contains 

 a green pigment which changes to 3'ellow on saponifica- 

 tion, and that the resin is emetic and purgative, and 

 healing when applied as plaster. If botanical science 

 can develop the meritorious tendencies the fruit 

 occasionally exhibits, the Calophyllum would certainly 

 rank as one of the most wondcrfid of all tropical fruits. 

 And may it not be wise to indulge the highest hopes 

 when it is borne in mind that at the head of the Family 

 to which the Calophyllum belongs stands that queen 

 of fruits — the mangosteen? Faith in the probable 

 idealisation of the Calophyllum is justified by reference 

 to the "Prefatory and Other Notes" to the late F. M. 

 Bailey's great work, the "Comprehensive Catalogue 

 of Queensland Plants," where is to be found these 

 encouraging words: "When an}^ particular plant is 

 said to furnish a useful fruit, it must not be imagined 

 that the fruit equals the apple, pear, or peach of the 

 present day, but all so marked are superior to the fruits 

 known to our far-back forefathers." 



Two eucal^'pts — bloodwood and Moreton Bay ash 

 {corymbosa and tessellaris respectively) — and two 

 acacias are represented, the former developing into great 

 trees of economic value, the latter being comparatively 

 short-lived and ornamental. The young shoots of 

 Acacia flavescens are covered as with golden fleece, and 

 its globular flowers are pale yellow. The wood resembles 

 in tint and texture its ally, the raspberry-jam wood 



