EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS. 



/CONSIDERABLE interest has been excited lately on the subject 

 V_y of a new remedy which bids fair to rival for malarial trou- 

 bles the old stand-by, quinine. This specific is known scientif- 

 ically as Eucalyptus globulus, and commonly as blue gum-tree. 

 It belongs to the natural order Myrtaceae. 



It was first noticed in the island of Tasmania in 1792, 

 while it grows in great abundance on the moist slopes and 

 woody hills of Australia. According to one author, a French- 

 man, it constitutes three-fourths of all the forests of that con- 

 tinent. It was first introduced into Europe in 1856, since then 

 it has been cultivated there to considerable extent, and also in 

 northern Africa, the southern part of the United States and 

 California. Recently it has been introduced into Italy in large 

 quantities. 



The tree is a rapid grower and frequently attains the height 

 of 300 feet, and it has a most luxuriant foliage which makes 

 it a beautiful tree for shade or ornament. The leaves of the 

 plant or of the young tree are opposite and cordate at the 

 base ; while the leaves of the full grown tree are alternate and 

 slightly rounded at the base. They are very long and slender, 

 generally curved or crescent shaped and tapering at the apex to 

 a long acute point. They are from 8 to 15 inches in length 

 and in their broadest part only from ^ to i^ inches in width. 

 There is a prominent, coarse mid-rib present, with secondary 

 ribs running the entire length of the leaf parallel with and very- 

 near the margin, while the margin is entire and smooth, being 

 protected by a thickened wall of cellulose. Both the upper and 

 under surfaces are dotted with prominent glands filled with resin 

 or with oil. The leaves are of a yellowish green color, while 

 the midribs, veins and margin are white. They are of a leath- 

 ery consistency, with a peculiar, strong odor of pine and an 



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