96 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 



suggestions lie lias given to the world, may enter upon the study 

 of our medicinal plants, and prove that whilst we have valuable 

 remedies within our reach, we need not rely too much upon 

 foreign importations to promote the art of healing. Prom experi- 

 ments which were made in Melbourne some seven years ago, the 

 valuable properties of some of our bush trees were fully proved. 

 The secretions of resins and gum resins, as well as the essential oils 

 obtained by distillation from their leaves, were highly commended 

 both for their medical and commercial advantages, and it was 

 truly remarked that " in these resources alone, there is presented 

 a vast field where industry and science may be peacefully 

 associated, and reap the rich reward which is due to exertion and 

 intelligence." And let it be borne in mind that these results 

 arise from no foreign sources, but from the species of Eucalyptus, 

 Melaleuca, and Acacia, or in plain words from the Gum trees, Tea 

 trees, and Wattles all around us. These trees possess properties 

 of an astringent character, and therefore, in a country so exposed 

 as Australia is in some localities to such complaints as diarrhoea, 

 dysentery, and low fever, nature has provided remedies at once 

 simple, near at hand, and within the reach of all. All we require 

 is, that men of science and observation should make known in 

 plain and unmistakeable terms, the species best adapted for our 

 purposes, and the simplest and cheapest method of preparing 

 medicine from them. Amongst the plants on which Dr. P. Mueller 

 has experimented, are Mcntha satureoides and Pittosporum 

 unduhtum. The former is well known here by the name of Wild 

 Pennyroyal, and long before the learned Doctor graced our shores, 

 a decoction of it was used as a tonic. It appears, however, that 

 a valuable oil may be extracted from the little plant, which can 

 be employed medicinally, as many species of Mint enumerated in 

 the Pharmacopeia, or chemically in imparting to other ingredients 

 a pleasing flavour and scent. The Pittosporum, is not so abundant 

 in our district, but it is a tree frequently cultivated in gardens j 

 and the fact should be made known that the flowers yield an 

 almost jasmine-like scent by distillation. Prostanthera, which the 

 Doctor also mentions, occurs but sparingly near Parrarnatta, but 

 the species of Zieria, Boronia, and Corraa (all Eutaceous plants) 

 occur frequently, and abound in volatile oils. A series of experi- 

 ments on these plants would prove not only highly interesting, 



